Carolynne Griffith

“I know I have been one of the luckiest people in the world – having been born and raised on a farm in Southern Ontario, a child of solid, smart, wise parents and grandparents who allowed me to do anything any boy could do!” Carolynne Griffith

Carolynne (Moore) Griffith was born and raised on a dairy farm just outside the City of Sarnia. As a youth, she participated in 4-H clubs and Junior Farmers. In 1961, she graduated from London Teachers College. She chose to go into farming fulltime after marrying fellow farmer (and 2016 Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee) Art Griffith in 1963.

Griffith shares her husband’s love of chickens. Together they grew their farm from 50 to 1,500 acres. In 1965, they built an innovative egg laying barn for 5,000 hens. In 1970 they doubled its size. Griffith was a key manager in Art Griffith Farms Inc. and Griffith Seeds Inc. In 1992, their egg laying facility was expanded again to house 27,000 hens. Upon Griffith’s retirement, her son and grandson took over the farm businesses and grew them substantially. They now care for 31,000 laying hens and 50,000 broilers (a technical term for chickens bred for meat production).

Griffith became involved with Egg Farmers of Ontario in 1975 as a councillor for Zone 1. In 1996, she was elected to the board as a director for Zone 1, representing Essex, Kent, and Lambton. In 2000, she was elected vice chair. She was the representative of the National Egg Board from 2000 to 2002. In 2002, she was elected chair of the Egg Farmers of Ontario. She was the first female to achieve this position and served for fifteen years.

The early to mid-2000s was a tumultuous time in agriculture, especially the egg and pullet (young hen) industry. Griffith’s strong leadership, management, and communication skills allowed her to navigate challenges like growing public concern for animal welfare, international trade negotiations, and the first outbreaks of Avian Flu.

In 2008, Griffith was elected chair of FarmGate5. FarmGate5 brings together Ontario’s farm organizations to address and advance common priorities. In this role, Griffith represented farmers at WTO meetings and trade negotiations in Geneva, Hong Kong, and Brussels.

Outside of farming Griffith has been active in politics. From 1988 to 1991 she was a Councillor for Brooke-Alvinston. Since 2008 she has been president of the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Federal Liberal Association. 

In 1991, Griffith purchased a Victorian brick home built in 1900. She lovingly restored the home, nicknamed Nauvoo Ranch, with great attention to detail. It opened as a bed and breakfast on July 1, 1999.

Art Griffith Farms has sponsored many local events including the Rotary Mother’s Day Brunch in Alvinston, and Community Refrigerator at St. Paul’s United Church in Petrolia. Griffith has participated in fairs, exhibitions, local and school events to promote a connection between farmers and consumers. She played piano and led the choir at their local United Church for forty years until it closed. For sixty years, Griffith has made significant contributions as a leader, role model, and ambassador in the Lambton agricultural community and beyond.

Community Contributions:

• Extensive involvement with Egg Farmers of Ontario: Zone 1 councillor (from 1975), director (1996-2012), vice chair (2000), and National Egg Board representative (2000-2002)
• Elected first female Chair of Egg Farmers of Ontario in 2002 and held the position for 15 years
• Director on Ontario Egg Producers Marketing Board (1996-Present)
• Elected chair of FarmGate5 (2008-2012) internationally representing the 5 supply-managed farm commodities and advocating for a strong agricultural sector and prosperous food industry in Ontario
• Director on the Food and Farm Care Canada Foundation (2012-2016)
• Brooke-Alvinston Councillor (1988-1991)
• President, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Federal Liberal Association (2008-Present)
• Member of the Board of Governors of Lambton College (2013-2016)

Egg Artifacts in the Museum Collection.