Born and raised at Hamiota, McConnell is known for fostering entrepreneurship and mentoring youth in rural communities.
An entrepreneur with innovative ideas, a commitment to agriculture and deep prairie roots, Kim McConnell received the Order of Canada last Wednesday, Jan 24.
In an interview, McConnell reacted to this top Canadian honour saying, “Absolutely unbelievable and extremely humbling.”
McConnell’s wife Carolyn, son Ross from Winnipeg, daughter Jill and son-in-law Peter Kuflew from South Korea, and sister-in-law Bev from Winnipeg attended his award ceremony.
Born and raised in the small farming community of Lavinia, where his parents ‘Red’ and Ruth McConnell farmed the rich Newdale clay loam soil, McConnell took his high school education at nearby Hamiota Collegiate and he still thinks of Hamiota as home.
“I’m a farm kid from Hamiota, and proud of that,” he stated.
Business leader
McConnell blazed a trail, founding the first agricultural advertising agency; and for many years he was Chief Executive Officer of AdFarm, the highly rated Calgary-based company. AdFarm is the largest agriculturally-focused ad agency in Canada and one of the largest in North America with six offices in two countries.
McConnell was a finalist for “Entrepreneur of the Year” twice, and he was recognized as the Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year in 2011.
Mentor gives back
McConnell says the Order of Canada was conferred because of his contributions above and beyond his profession and business life. As the Governor General was pinning the medal on his suit, he recalls her saying, “Thank you Mr. McConnell for everything you’ve done in agriculture,” referring to his work for rural Canada, with youth and promoting 4-H Clubs.
A few years ago, McConnell decided to retire as CEO of the company to pursue his calling, to help agricultural and rural-based institutions and to mentor individuals, which he enjoys very much.
He sits on the board of 4-H Canada and helps with organizations such as Canadian FoodGrains Bank.
“I’ve been more than willing to go out and speak at local things. Sure I sit on the Calgary Stampede board and do things in Calgary, but our focus is on rural, that’s where I’m from.”
Representing agriculture
In 2007-2008 McConnell was President of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and there it was said of him, “From farms in rural communities to boardrooms within major corporations, Kim pushes all of us to do better, work better together and make a difference for every person, industry or community that relies on agriculture.”
McConnell wears the distinction of being one among few Canadians in agriculture to become a Member of the Order of Canada.
“In the history of the Order of Canada, there are probably less than a dozen people from the agricultural community – so to be one of those – it’s humbling,” he said.
Accolades have come from people he doesn’t even know, applauding him as a representative for agriculture. “I have received, without a doubt, hundreds of emails, notes, letters, phone calls.”
Red and Ruth inspired
McConnell, in his early days, was inspired to continue a career in agriculture, but a job of a different sort from his father ‘Red’.
“Mum and Dad did something that was very important.”
They said that before he took up farming, he should get a university education and work off the farm for a couple of years.
He got a degree in Agriculture at the University of Manitoba and worked in the technology and chemical business for a couple of years. At a time when new technologies, herbicides and feeds were becoming part of farm practice, he saw the opportunity to provide better marketing.
“When they went to an advertising agency, the advertising agency... didn’t have an interest or a background in agriculture.
“So, in 1984 in the basement of the house, I set up the agency, with the support of a good wife.”
His wife Carolyn gave him support and an ultimatum – a year to “decide to either carry on with this business, go back home to farm, or get a job.”
AdFarm was born and McConnell’s business was launched.
The McConnells plan to enjoy rest and recreation on warm summer days at the R & R Cottage - named for Red and Ruth - located north of Hamiota on Shoal Lake.
