Fortunat Bertrand

Born in Sarsfield, Bertrand took over the family farm. Eager for new experiences, he was one of the first farmers who bought seeds, on a trial basis, from the Ottawa Experimental farm. As an experimental corn producer over the 1930’s and the 1940’s, his seeds had properties that prevented the spread of the rust disease in grain. He was also the first registered purebred Holstein cattle breeder in the region. As a farmer involved in his community, he was primarily dedicated to farm organizations.

Bertrand was the president of the Clarence Creek agricultural association, the founding president of the UCFO’s farmers groups in the village of Sarsfield, and the director of the Russel County cheese producers association. He was not only committed to agriculture: education was also very important to him. He was a school secretary and a school board secretary. He also worked to advance political issues, serving as a city councillor in Cumberland from 1945 to 1951, and as president of the Russel Liberal association from 1930 to 1950.

Today’s growers can increase their herds’ productivity thanks to Bertrand’s boldness. The risk of failure was high, but the opportunity to push agriculture forward was his motivation.