Gerard Cormier
Newfoundland and Labrador Inductee, 2021
Gerard Cormier’s passion for agriculture is a family affair. Born in 1954, Gerard is a fifth-generation farmer, working the Codroy Valley farm established by his great, great grandfather in 1852. When his father Leo took over the farm, his ambition was to move beyond the traditional profile of mixed farms in the area. In 1963, he acquired a milk quota of 50 gallons a day. The Cormiers were officially dairy farmers.
At 20 years of age, Gerard took on the leadership role at Cormier’s Dairy, joined four years later by his brother Danny. Together, they continued to expand the farm. In 2004, the Cormier farm merged with Chaffey Farm to become one of the largest dairy operations in Eastern Canada. The combined operation milks nearly one thousand cows from a herd size of approximately two thousand, and comprises almost three thousand acres. The Cormier farm continues to evolve, embracing new technology and facing head-on the challenges of today’s agriculture industry.
Gerard recognized early on the opportunities provided by off-farm businesses supporting producers. In 1974 he became one of the original shareholders of Wesco Dairy, which allowed farmers to process their milk and more effectively control costs. He was also part owner of Western Farm Feeds, which became known as Shur Gain. He was the co-founder of the province’s first yogurt plant, and a co-founder of the first New Holland Equipment dealership in Newfoundland.
Gerard’s leadership extended beyond his own farm to the dairy industry itself, where he made significant contributions at the provincial and national level. In 1981, he was one of the west coast producers who initiated a plebiscite with producers on the east coast to form the NL Milk Marketing Board. Well-recognized for his producer advocacy, Gerard was appointed by the Minister of the day to serve on the Crop and Livestock Insurance Board. He was later appointed to the NL Milk Marketing Board, where he made lasting contributions to the province’s dairy industry during his 22 years on the board. During his tenures as Director, Chair, and Vice-Chair, Gerard provided extensive leadership and representation for the industry. As a board member of the Dairy Farmers of Canada from 2000-2008, he was a dedicated advocate for the producers of Newfoundland and Labrador nationally. Gerard also gave generously of his time and expertise on the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee and for over 20 years on the NL Feed Grains Society.
The Cormier family was recognized in 2007 with the Century Farm Award by the Agricultural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gerard continues to be a valuable resource to the farming community, providing guidance and a helping hand to fellow producers.
Nominated by the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador for his tireless leadership and outstanding advocacy for dairy farmers, Gerard is a worthy inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.