Crispin Colvin chose farming as a way of life more than 50 years ago, when his family bought farmland in Thames Centre in 1971. Since then, apart from a brief time spent in Scotland, he has remained on the land, committed to growing food, building community, and strengthening connections between rural and urban Ontario. As a farmer, policy advocate, and bridge-builder, Crispin brings a rare blend of hands-on experience and big-picture perspective to his work.
Crispin and his family operated a mixed farm, raising highland cattle and growing corn, soybeans, and wheat. His deep roots in agriculture have shaped a decades-long commitment to protecting farmland, strengthening land use planning, and advocating for Ontario’s farming communities. As a former Director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, representing Lambton and Middlesex counties, Crispin played a key role in bringing the voice of local producers to provincial discussions. He currently serves as a board member with the Middlesex Federation of Agriculture (MFA) and recently joined the Middlesex London Food Policy Council as MFA’s representative.
Crispin’s impact stretches far beyond the fields. He has served as Chair of Farm & Food Care Ontario, Mayor of Thames Centre, Warden of Middlesex County, and Chair of the Board of Governors at Fanshawe College. He’s also contributed his time and expertise to boards at Western University, the London Training Centre, and the London Convention Centre, always helping connect food production to education, economic development, and public understanding.
At every turn, Crispin has been a steady advocate for farmland preservation. It’s a mission he sees as both urgent and essential.
“Agricultural land is being lost at an unprecedented rate,” he says. “Once land is taken out of production, it will never come back. It is lost forever. It is imperative that we preserve this non-renewable resource so that we may feed Ontario, Canada, and the world.”
Crispin is particularly known for his personal approach: generous with his time, collaborative in conversation, and always ready to share insight with farmers, policymakers, and community members alike. Whether at the Thorndale Fair or a city council meeting, he’s there showing up, listening, and speaking up for the land and the people who care for it.
Through leadership and a lifelong connection to the land, Crispin Colvin continues to help shape a stronger, more resilient food system for everyone.
