Cobourg, ON (March 09, 2023) – The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg are pleased to announce the DeJong Family (Chris, Amy, Rod and Nancy) as the recipients of this year’s James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award, proudly sponsored by Alliance Security Systems of Northumberland. The award will bepresented at the Business Achievement Awards on Friday, March 24^th, 2023 at the Best Western PLUS Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre. 

The James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement and contribution to the business community. The award is named after James Crossen, founder of Cobourg Car Works and one of Cobourg’s earliest and most successful entrepreneurs.

“It’s truly an honour to receive the prestigious James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award,” said the DeJong brothers. “We proudly share this award with our families who have been instrumental in the farming operations.” 

Gerban and Anne DeJong purchased a farm on South Burns Road in 1966, with cash cropped corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and pigs being raised from birth to shipping weight. Today, sons Chris and Rod honour the family legacy by continuing in the agriculture industry. Chris and his wife Amy manage the pig operation, while Rod and wife Nancy have expanded into the turkey business with the start of Knollcrest Poultry. Third generation DeJong cousins, Trevor and Kyle, who will both be graduating this spring with a degree in Agriculture have actively been working on the farm for the last few years and look forward to contributing to the family business by managing the cash crops.

“Congratulations to the DeJong family! We're honoured to celebrate their multi-generational success in the constantly evolving agribusiness sector,” said Business Achievement Co-Chair Ann Newell.

The DeJong Family belong to the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Pork Producers, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the turkey board.

The official presentation will be made at the Business Achievement Awards on Friday, March 24th at the Best Western PLUS Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre. Acting as the Master of Ceremony this year will be Joel Scott.

Support the Business Achievement Awards – Purchase Tickets!
Show your local business and community support by purchasing your ticket to the 2023 Business Achievement Awards. Tickets are $88.49+ hst/each and are available online at www.nccofc.ca or at the Chamber Building, 278 George Street, in Cobourg’s Downtown Heritage District or by calling 905-372-5831.

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Media Contacts

Kara Euale                                                         Kevin Ward

Communication Manager                                     President & CEO

Town of Cobourg                                                Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce

P: 905-372-4301 x 4105                                     P: 905-372-5831

E: keuale@cobourg.ca                                         E: chamber@nccofc.ca