On Thursday, January 2, 2025, Dwight Foster died, following a 5-year battle with colorectal cancer. He was 58.
Husband of Ruth Ann and father to Ron, Greg, Brian, Allison, and Delores, Dwight was the ever-smiling face behind North Gower Grains, an integrated grain handling and drying facility, beef feedlot, and grain farm south of Ottawa, Ont.
Under Dwight and Ruth Ann’s leadership, North Gower Grains has made a name for itself not just as an economic driver for eastern Ontario, but also as a key part of the agriculture community. Each June, the Fosters host a Customer Appreciation Day known as a do-not-miss for the area. They also hosted a Breakfast on the Farm in the fall of 2018, sharing the farm and business with thousands of people in the Ottawa area. Dwight was a regular interviewee for mainstream media on all things agriculture, as well, given not only his proximity to the nation’s capital, but also his willingness to share about what it really takes to run a farm.
Personally, I will remember Dwight as one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and also one of the most generous with his time. Whenever I had requests from people from out west who wanted a tour around Ottawa, Dwight was always willing to host an impromptu tour. If ever I had questions about policy changes or markets, Dwight was never one to hold back what he thought. The amount of care and thought he put into setting up his children within the business was something I admired and often would ask him about — he was transparent, frank, and thoughtful, no matter the questions asked.
Dwight’s family posted on the North Gower Grains site, saying, “We are thankful for the many prayers, goodness and care we have received from so many throughout Dwight’s battle. Dwight’s children, Ron, Greg, Allison, and Delores, will continue operating the business in Dwight’s place. (Editor’s note: Brian will stay on as president of morale, too!)
Dwight touched many lives throughout his 58 years here but now he is free from pain and in heaven where he longed to be.”
The funeral will be held January 10 at the farm shop in North Gower. Details can be found here.
