Blair Roth has been inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame. (Photo: Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge man inducted into Agriculture Hall of Fame

Jan 29, 2025 | 2:25 PM

A person from Lethbridge is being honoured for his contributions to the world of agriculture.

Blair Roth is one of three inductees into the 2024 class of the Agriculture Hall of Fame. It is described as the Department of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s oldest and most prestigious award.

Roth was born and raised near Bow Island and earned a degree in agriculture from the University of Alberta.

For over 40 years, he has worked in Lethbridge to develop pulse crops as a dryland farming option, shape early agronomics, and advance variety selection and marketing strategies.

The Alberta Pulse Growers says Roth was instrumental in the creation of their organization, as well as the Alberta Safflowers Association, and in developing a Canada-wide voice in Pulse Canada. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Food Bank.

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“His ability to build collaborative networks and influence industry-wide initiatives is a testament to his leadership,” says Alberta Pulse Growers.

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation put together a video package that details Roth’s life and career, which you can watch below:

The other Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Dr. Kee Jim (Okotoks)
  • For his innovative, data-driven approach to feedlot cattle health, effective disease protocols and strengthening Alberta’s cattle industry.
• Manfred Kanehl – posthumous induction (Parkland County)
  • For his outstanding contributions and advancements to animal welfare and food safety within the Canadian egg industry and for pioneering the Start Clean – Stay Clean on-farm food safety program launched nationally and still in use today.

This year’s induction ceremony coincided with the opening of the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame exhibit at the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskwin.

The exhibit features two interactive displays with all of the Hall of Fame inductees and displays of the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame and Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award programs.

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