Quinte Agricultural Hall of Fame > Joseph Ernie Best
JOSEPH ERNIE BEST
Mr. Best was born in 1930 and attended school in both Monteagle and Wicklow. He purchased a 200-acre farm in 1954 and initially raised cattle and hogs. The farm along with an additional 200 acres became Annelee Acres Farm. Joe shipped milk for 20 years through the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. Joe was a member of Monteagle Council for 5 years as councilor, then reeve. He was elected Warden of Hastings County in 1993.
Mr. Best was active in the 4-H program as a 4-H leader, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Hastings Cream Producers, and a 20 year member of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. In 1986 he was a member ofthe International Ploughing Match Committee when the match was held in Rawdon Township. Other community activities included involvement in the formation of the Hastings Heritage Trail, a member ofthe Belleville Hospital Board, a long time member as well as Board Chairman, trustee and steward of St. Andrew’s Bethel United Church in Maynooth and involved in the formation of the Monteagle Township Fire Department.
In 1992, the dairy herd was dispersed and the operation switched to beef production. After farming for 50 years, Joe retired to a home on Papineau Lake leaving the farm to his daughter Cathie and two grandsons Bryce and Todd.
Nominated by Hastings Federation of Agriculture
Inducted 2011