Chris Judd receives provincial medal

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Photo: Chris Judd was awarded with the National Assembly Medal for outstanding community service April 26 in Shawville. L/R: MNA André Fortin, Robin Judd, Chris Judd, Jean McMullin Judd, Keena Judd-Kelly, and Scott Judd. (CW)

Local farmer/activist Chris Judd honoured with provincial medal

Clifford Welsh
Local Journalism Initiative

SHAWVILLE – Friends, family and local politicians gathered at the Little Red Wagon Winery, April 26, to watch as Pontiac MNA André Fortin presented Chris Judd, a local farmer and community activist, with the National Assembly Medal for his 60 years of contributions to the wellbeing of the Pontiac.

Fortin said he and his team decided to honour 10 individuals who’ve made tremendous contributions to the region, with Judd as the first. “As Agriculture Critic, I attend events all across the province and without exception, someone will say to me, ‘I know someone from the Pontiac, Chris Judd!” he told the crowd. Fortin emphasized the “passion Chris has shown for every aspect of agriculture across the province and the contributions he has made to promoting and bringing awareness to family, health and environment issues over the last decades.”

Clarendon Mayor Ed Walsh said Judd’s hard work and dedication to community issues made him richly deserving of the honour. Shawville Mayor Bill McLeary, who worked on Judd’s farm when he was 12 years old, expressed appreciation for all the contributions Judd has made and continues to make to the area.

After receiving the award, Judd humbly noted “It has to be fun” and “It takes a whole community to make things work.”

In an interview with the Journal, Judd spoke about how he has always seen himself as someone who “starts the fire” to get others concerned about issues affecting us all. He first got involved with 4H as a youngster and was part of one of the initial groups that founded Quebec Young Farmers in 1964. He has also been active in the Union des Producteurs Agricoles (UPA) for 50 years, the PLQ milk board (Les Producteurs de lait du Québec) for over 40 years and has served on the PBQ beef board (Les Producteurs de bovins du Québec). Judd served two terms as a councillor in Shawville before becoming provincial president of the UPA.

Judd said that without the support of his wife and co-operator of their farm, Jean McMullin Judd, there’s no way he would have been able to do all he has done. “The three most important things for a farmer’s success are their mate, their banker and their mechanic, in that order,” he said, quoting a book.

When asked about his current concerns for the Pontiac, Judd listed mental health as his biggest, followed by dealing with local waste and acknowledging climate change and its effects on farming.