At this year’s International Plowing Match in Verner, ON, BMO was pleased to honour Janet Parsons as part of the BMO Celebrating Women in Agriculture program. Janet, along with her husband John, has been recognized for her 20 years of outstanding work in developing, sustaining and promoting one of a vital organization to the local agriculture industry, the West Nipissing East Sudbury Agricultural Support Projects Inc. (WNESASP).
WNESAP is an organization created by area farmers who wished to apply for Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) grants and loans, helping them access money for farm improvements such as commodity production, capital expansion projects, tile drainage and land cleaning. For twenty years, Janet Parsons has been instrumental in processing the infusion of capital funding into the local farming community.
Janet’s passion for agriculture is commendable as she was a dairy farm owner herself years ago. When her husband decided to become a certified general accountant, she became managing partner of their farm for the next 13 years. Eventually, they sold their dairy and crop farm to their eldest son James and continued to provide family support for the business. While her husband resumes his accounting practice for farm clients, Janet is a certified financial planner working with him.
Janet has served on several provincial agricultural boards including the Farm Products Appeal Tribunal, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. She is the chair of the Grain Financial Protection Board. With Janet at the helm of WNESASP, efforts to support large group projects in agriculture in the Districts of Nipissing, Sudbury and Parry Sound will continue to open doors to sustain the growth momentum in these communities.
Today, BMO Celebrating Women in Agriculture celebrates Janet Parsons’ amazing work and contributions. This recognition is in line with BMO’s continuing efforts to recognize the achievements of women leaders who are excelling in their business and making an impact in their communities. She joins the group of women who are setting themselves apart and inspiring us with their amazing stories. To date, more then 170 women have been honoured as part of the BMO Celebrating Women program in Canada and the US.
