E.P. Taylor Windfields Farm Champion Award

The E.P. Taylor Windfields Farm Champion Award celebrates someone who exemplifies innovation and has overcome adversity. The E.P. Taylor Windfields Farm Champion Award is presented every four years.

Eligibility criteria

Recipient lives or works in Oshawa or collaborates with an Oshawa-based organization.
City of Oshawa employees are not eligible for the award but may nominate individuals.
There can be no self-nominations.
An individual cannot be nominated posthumously.
The recipient must have demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity in their journey.
The recipient must exemplify innovation. This could include:
- Developing and implementing new ideas into tangible initiatives, programs or projects in the community;
- Leading transformational change that has impacted the community;
- Innovation may focus on technological products, organizational change, or social impact.

Nominations must

Identify the merit of the individual being nominated.
Provide evidence of the impact of the individual’s innovation on the community.
Provide evidence of the individual’s ability to overcome adversity.
Provide evidence of recognition by the local community.
Describe the individual’s career path and/ or organizational background.

Nomination process

Nominations must include a summary that adequately describes the individual's innovation or contribution to the community through innovation. The summary must also describe how the individual overcame adversity and struggle to succeed with the innovation.

Nomination form

The nomination period for the 2026 E. P. Taylor Windfields Farm Champion Award is now closed. Please check back later for 2027 dates.

2026 Recipient

Marlene Grass

Marlene Grass founded The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre in 1989, creating a community-based model that combined education, clinical care, and family support for people living with type 1 diabetes. Her vision helped address gaps in diabetes care and built a centre recognized across Canada.
Over more than 37 years of leadership, Marlene guided the Centre’s growth while remaining focused on the needs of patients and families. Her dedication ensured that individuals living with diabetes had access to compassionate care, resources, and ongoing support.
Marlene’s work has had a lasting impact on healthcare in Durham Region and beyond, improving the lives of thousands of families. Her legacy continues through the Centre’s ongoing success and the culture of excellence and compassion she established.

Previous Recipients

2023 - George Ihor Lysyk (George Lysyk)

George Ihor Lysyk opened the Food Truck Corral Oshawa during the COVID-19 pandemic so families could still enjoy a meal together and to support local businesses.
George also supports local charities by hosting special events at the Food Truck Corral Oshawa

2019 - Al Libfeld

Al Libfeld founded Tribute Communities in 1975.
Throughout the decades, Libfeld has contributed more than $2 million to area charities including cancer-related projects of the Lakeridge Health Foundation.
Along with former Durham Regional Chair, the late Roger Anderson, Libfeld founded the Building Industry in Durham Deeds (B.I.D.D.) luncheon, which has supported numerous causes.
He also supported Ontario Tech University on numerous occasions.

2018 - Gary Polonsky

Gary Polonsky was the inaugural recipient of the E.P. Taylor Windfields Farm Champion award.
He served as Durham College president from 1988 to 2006 and president of Ontario Tech University from 2002 until 2006.
Polonsky received the award for overcoming the challenges of creating Ontario Tech University, strengthening Durham College and transforming the economies of Oshawa and the Region of Durham to be more competitive and knowledge-based.

Contact Us

Service Oshawa
Oshawa City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7
Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: service@oshawa.ca

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