Garnet Ralph

Ralph - Garnet Alvin

August 16, 1924 - February 3, 2016

Garnet Alvin Ralph of Richmond, ON, passed away at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community in his 92 ^nd year. He leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years, Lois (Adams), his 3 daughters; Deborah (Mark Watson), Nancy (Closten Ball), and Cheryl, his 3 granddaughters; Jennifer (Don Heppner), Sarah Watson, and Kate Williams, as well as 2 great granddaughters Rachael and Julia Heppner. He will be missed by his sister Helen Dunbar, sisters-in-law Mildred Adams and Dorothy Ralph, many nieces and nephews, and by close friend Bob Aumell (Joan).

Garnet was widely recognized as an agriculture innovator, mentor, dairy farmer and renowned livestock and grain judge. He grew upon the family farm at Burritts Rapids where he was active in 4-H and Junior Farmers. He graduated from Kemptville College in 1947 and purchased his own farm operation in Richmond in 1949. Garnet was quick to test new techniques and technology to improve production on his farm and the results of his work were freely shared with producers and led to major advancements in production efficiencies in Eastern Ontario and beyond. He grew Registered and Certified cereal grains, grass seed, clover, soybeans, and corn. He conducted field trials for seed companies and test plots experiments for Kemptville College. He successfully grew grain corn in the early 1960's and was instrumental in convincing Eastern Ontario farmers to produce this crop. While managing a large Holstein milking herd, he developed local and export markets for Pure bred and Grade Holstein replacement cattle. After partnering with Cyanamid as a dealer he started Ralph Dale Fertilizers and Ralph Dale Seeds in 1963 where he pioneered the concept of bulk fertilizer in Eastern Ontario. This enabled farmers to customize applications to soil conditions and crop production targets. He won many awards for judging livestock and field crops. In the1970's he was awarded the Outstanding Leadership in Agriculture Award. He was the host farmer of the International Plowing Match in 1983. In 1986 he was awarded the Achievement Award from the Plant Food Council. Garnet was inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2005 for his contribution to agriculture. He also received many other awards for his achievements, too numerous to mention.

We wish to thank all of our family and many friends who have been so supportive. A special thanks to Dr. Rod Rabb and the staff at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community and the CCAC Group. Friends and family are invited to attend visitation at the Westboro Chapel of the Tubman Funeral Home, 403 Richmond Rd. (at the corner of Rossevelt) on Thursday, February 4from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, and on Friday, February 5 ^th from 2-4, & 6:30-8:30 pm. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, February 6 ^th at 11 am. Burial at Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Burritts Rapids in the spring. For those wishing, a memorial donation to St. John’s Anglican Church, Richmond or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.