Former 4-H Canada president appointed to the Senate

One of two Canadians appointed to represent Ontario in the Senate of Canada on Thursday has a strong connection to the agriculture community.

Robert (Rob) Black of Wellington County is a 4-H Canada past president, board member and staff member, having been involved in 4-H for over 40 years. He’s also a board member for the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The Prime Minister’s Office describes Black as “a distinguished leader in Ontario’s agricultural community, who has spent most of his career championing agricultural and rural causes.”

“Rob Black has always been an enthusiastic supporter of youth and agriculture throughout his career,” says David Hovell, chair of the 4-H Canada board of directors. “4-H Canada is proud to have a champion for those causes in the Senate and looks forward to working alongside him as we advance the development of youth leaders committed to positively impacting their communities across Canada.”

“Rob’s enthusiasm for Ontario’s agricultural community and his passion for developing capable future leaders of our industry is deserving of this appointment where he can continue to tackle and advise on matters that require good policy and decision making,” adds Matt Bowman, president of Beef Farmers of Ontario, in a statementt.

Black is currently the CEO of the Rural Ontario Institute. In addition to working for 4-H organizations provincially and nationally, he’s also worked for Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ontario Soybean Growers.

Black is the first Senator with an extensive agriculture background since JoAnne Buth left the Senate to the lead the Canadian International Grains Institute in 2014.

He was appointed together with Martha Deacon.