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Local Berry Farmer Inducted into Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame

Rhonda Thornley was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Truro, Nova Scotia today.

Rhonda and her husband Phillip operate a U-Pick berry farm, offering strawberries and raspberries in Campbellton, central Newfoundland. They started Campbellton Berry Farm in 1980 along with Rhonda’s father-in-law, the late Peter Thornley.

Rhonda and her family are leaders in the agriculture community in Newfoundland and Labrador and are recognized for their outstanding environmental stewardship. In January 2007, the Thornleys received the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture Environment Award and were one of the first farms in the province to complete an environmental farm plan.

Rhonda is an outstanding agricultural leader at both the national and provincial level. She has served on many agricultural organizations, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) and the Canadian Farm Business Management Council, where she currently serves as Vice President, and Secretary, respectively.

Rhonda also strives to promote farm women’s issues in the province through her dedicated work as President of the Central Farm Women’s Association and as Secretary for the Provincial Farm Women’s Association.

She has also worked diligently to advance the horticultural industry in her role on the Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Council’s Board of Directors. She believes in supporting the needs of farmers and the importance of active participation in agricultural organizations to create a stronger and more vibrant agriculture industry.

Rhonda has contributed her skills and business knowledge to help other farmers and has served on numerous organizations, in addition to those above, throughout the years, including the Newfoundland Farm Products Board of Directors, Agricultural Products Marketing Board, Agriculture Awareness Committee, Greenhouse Gas Taking Charge Team and the Farm Debt Review Board.

In addition to her work in the agriculture industry, Rhonda has also been a leader and volunteer in her community serving as a Guide and Pathfinder leader and secretary to the Guide Council. She served as a Sunday School teacher and treasurer for the Campbellton Fire Brigade, and has volunteered for many years as the coach for the local high school and junior high girls volleyball and basketball teams. Rhonda has contributed her time and tremendous business and agricultural knowledge in regional business development efforts including serving on the Board of Directors of the Kittiwake Coast Tourism Association.

Nominated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Council for her outstanding contributions to her community and the agricultural industry, Rhonda Thornley is indeed a worthy inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame was established in 1968 and honours members of the agricultural community for outstanding contributions to the industry, community and farm organizations.