Congratulations to former Grainews columnist Harvey Gjesdal who recently received the Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal was created to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary as Queen of Canada. It is awarded to exceptional Canadians in recognition of their service to this country and their significant achievements and contributions.
Harvey Gjesdal was born in 1922. He and his wife, Jennie, have three children (Roger, Nancy and Lorna), and three grandchildren.
He has been farming near Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, for well over 70 years, and was a pedigreed seed grower for more than half of his farming career. Over the years, Harvey served on many local, agricultural and political committees.
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In 1986, Gjesdal he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and later inducted into the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame. In 1992, he was made a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to agriculture.
Gjesdal has an interest in improving farm machinery, and has designed more than 20 implements. His Gjesdal Five-In-One Rotary seed cleaner is in use across North America, and he also holds patents on a rotary mower and a snow blower.
Harvey Gjesdal’s column “Grain Farmer’s Diary” ran in Grainews from 1976 to 2004. †
