René Daoust – 2015 Honorary Life Award Recipient

René was born, raised and owned some animals on a Holstein dairy farm in Moose Creek, Ontario southeast of Ottawa.

After completing High School René attended the Kemptville College of Agricultural Technology and graduated in 1976 with a Diploma in Agriculture.

After graduation, he accepted a position with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food as Dairy Herd Improvement supervisor and then in 1978 René joined the Canadian Seed Grower’s Association staff. René was the first bilingual staff member at the CSGA office. While working for the CSGA for the next 35 years, he served on the Appeal Committee, managed variety files, appraised crop applications, crop inspection reports and issued crop certificates, processed probation applications, approved Variety Certification Eligibility (Form 300), prepared the Long Service Awards, and had close relationships with the French-speaking growers, especially the ones from Quebec.

René has also been very active in his community. He has been involved on many committees and held different positions through the years. It started as 4-H member, 4-H leader, junior farmer, fair board, Holstein club, curling club, hockey trainer.

René resides in Casselman with his wife Jeannette. They have 2 children Céline and Julien, and a granddaughter Abby. Céline is a school teacher. Julien is an electrician and is married to Lisa an early childhood educator.

In his spare time, he enjoys working around the house, gardening and doing some traveling.