The Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) has awarded Mairlyn Smith with the 2016 Canola Award of Excellence – the first professional home economist to be recognized for her contributions to the canola industry.

Smith will be presented with the award on Wednesday, February 10 during the CropConnect Conference evening banquet in Winnipeg.

Smith was stunned with the recognition.

“It’s humbling to be in such great company,” said Smith. “I was gobsmacked and then [thought], ‘well they’ve made a mistake’…because I’m just doing what I believe in.”  

Smith has been using and promoting canola oil for decades, for very personal reasons. Her dad was diagnosed with heart disease in the 1970’s at age 50 challenging him to make changes in his eating habits, including lowering saturated fats by using canola oil. Today he is a healthy 93.

His diagnosis initiated Smith’s life goal – educating people on health. She does it with unparalleled enthusiasm, passion and humour, reaching a vast audience.
Smith has authored multiple best-selling cookbooks, all profiling canola oil. Her seventh and latest, Homegrown: Celebrating the Canadian Foods We Grow, Raise and Produce is a collaborative effort with the Ontario Home Economics Association. It is a shout out to, and celebration of, Canadian farmers, the two per cent that feed us all.

“Smith is an active voice across Canada, supporting Canadian farmers and choosing products like canola oil,” said Ellen Pruden, MCGA’s Education and Promotion Manager. “Whether through social media, her cookbooks or keynote speaking, the MCGA is pleased to recognize her valued role in promoting canola oil.”

For more information on Mairlyn Smith and the Canola Award of Excellence please visit www.canolagrowers.com/about-mcga/canola-award-of-excellence.