James Goodhand

James Goodhand was raised in London. As a young man, he spent his summers working on farms outside of Blenheim and discovered his love of agriculture. In 1952, he purchased the Alvinston Meat Locker and abattoir with his father. They built a new abattoir in 1959, the same year that Goodhand graduated from Ridgetown College of Agriculture Technology. Goodhand also began renting a 50-acre farm near Alvinston, which he bought in 1963. From 1963 to 1994 he operated an 80-sow farrow-to-finish operation (where hogs are raised from birth to their slaughter weight) and expanded his farm to 200 acres of cash crops.

Goodhand was a very active member of pork organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. He was on the board of the Lambton Pork Producers’ Association for 20 years and a delegate on the Ontario Pork board for 15 years, including three years as chair. He travelled to France, Denmark, and the United States, meeting with government officials, and lobbying provincial and federal governments on issues facing the pork sector. He represented Ontario Pork on the Shur-Gain Research Farm in Burford, Ontario and was part of the grand opening committee in June 1992.

Goodhand was the Ontario representative on the Canadian Pork Council for three years. He was part of the Technology Group that studied how to make genetic improvements to sows and travelled to Europe and the United States to observe slaughter plants and review handling practices of hogs. He was the only pork producer on the committee and reported his findings back to other Ontario producers. 

Over the years, Goodhand’s hard work contributed to the success of many organizations. He was an asset on any committee and an effective chairperson. He could analyze issues and come up with effective resolutions, learned negotiations skills, and earned the respect of his peers. Although a quiet person, he gained the knowledge and confidence to speak to large crowds and elected officials. He also had interests beyond agriculture. He played hockey and baseball and was well-known for his barefoot waterskiing each year at the Shetland Picnic.

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