Dona Stewardson

"From childhood to retirement, to be able to stand up to introduce oneself and say I am a farmer is so rewarding and the best life ever.” – Dona Stewardson

Dona Stewardson grew up on a farm in Thedford. Active in farming throughout her life, she has been an advocate for farmers, a voice for environmental concerns, and a role model for breaking gender barriers.

In 1957, she and her husband Don bought a farm in Lambton Shores. The 100-acre farm started with hens, hogs, and hand-milked Holstein cows. Stewardson loved farm work and had a strong work ethic. She was a full partner in the growth and success of their farm and their family. Over time, the farm grew to 600 acres and the dairy herd increased to 80 Holsteins. They built one of the first milking parlours in Lambton County, and raised three sons.

In the early 1960s, Stewardson was named Lambton’s Dairy Princess three years running. Competitors assembled and sterilized milking equipment, milked a cow, strained the milk, and then disassembled and cleaned the equipment. They were judged on appearance, showmanship, and efficiency. The winner represented Lambton County in the provincial milking competition at the Canadian National Exhibition.

Stewardson’s keen interest in agricultural politics and the environment led her into leadership roles. In 1981, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Lambton Federation of Agriculture. In 1987, she became their first female president. She was elected to the Board of Directors for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and was later named Vice President. She was the only female among their seven-member executive. According to Stewardson, “Gender did not play a huge role for me. What was important to me was how well one could fill the role.”

Stewardson contributed energy and enthusiasm to rural, community, and environmental challenges. She helped organize the Lambton Rural Childcare Program and develop Agriculture in the Classroom. She represented farmers on the Sarnia Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee and became a field inspector with the newly formed Rural Lambton Stewardship Program. In this role, she assisted landowners with habitat and pollution issues. She was elected Councillor for Bosanquet Township in 1988.

Her influence extended beyond Lambton County. Stewardson participated in several provincial and federal advisory panels. She was appointed to a committee that revised the Environmental Bill of Rights for Agriculture. The Public Advisory Committee for the International Joint Commission between Canada and the United States addressed environmental concerns about the rivers and streams that border both nations. In 1995, she ran as the provincial NDP candidate for the Lambton riding.

Stewardson and her husband sold their original farm to their youngest son and daughter-in-law. They renovated a century-home around the corner where they maintain a cropping and cow calf operation and run a bed and breakfast. Here they have an opportunity to meet new people, show travelers a working farm, and demonstrate their passion for farming. Read more about Stewardson in “Rural life isn’t slow for local farm lobbyist” from The Observer, December 29, 1992.

Community Contributions

• Elected to Lambton Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors in 1981
• Elected first female president of Lambton Federation of Agriculture in 1987
• Regional Director and Vice President of Ontario Federation of Agriculture (the only woman on a seven-member executive committee)
• Chair of Ontario Federation of Agriculture Environment Committee
• Involved in organization of Lambton Rural Childcare Program
• Involved in Agriculture in the Classroom
• Farmer representative on Sarnia Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee
• Lambton County Dairy Princess
• Field inspector for Rural Lambton Stewardship Program
• Remedial Action Committee (Lake Huron and St. Clair River)
• Public Advisory Committee for the International Joint Commission between Canada and the United States
• 12 years on Board of Directors for Co-operators Insurance of Canada and member of the committee that hired the company’s first female CEO
• Councillor for Bosanquet Township
• Founding committee member of the North Lambton Community Health Centre
• Sat on Board of Directors for Huron Country Playhouse