From the left: 2026 Ayrshire Canada Volunteer of the Year Cynthia Daoust is seen with Jean-François Simard, President of Ayrshire Canada. Courtesy Photo
NORTH STORMONT – Cynthia Daoust of Cyn Lorr Aryshires in North Stormont was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award on March 5 during the 2026 Ayrshire Canada annual convention held in Thetford Mines, Quebec.
She was honoured for her commitment to the organization over many years, providing leadership in the organization and giving freely of her time to her community and the organization.
“I was very, very surprised but honoured at the same time” commented Daoust in a recent interview, mentioning she is able to do her work because of the support of the family. She continued how it was very nice to be appreciated for her contributions, which were done “because we see the benefits for the breed community.”
Daoust received the OAC Farm Management Operator diploma from the University of Guelph in 1983 and has been a member of Holstein Canada and Ayrshire Canada since 1984.
Her involvement with Ayrshire Canada has been in many areas, including serving as chairman of the committee which developed the initial Ayrshire classification system for inclusion in the Interbreed Classification System and the past chair of Breed Improvement Committee of Ayrshire Canada, presently serving an Ayrshire Canada national director.
During a recent interview, Daoust explained the importance of young people in the growth and development of the breed. She currently chairs the National Youth Committee, chaired the first International Youth Conference, which was held in Canada. Since then, it has been adopted by the World Ayrshire Federation and organized in several other countries.
Her commitment to the youth in the organization was reflected in the address to the convention prior to her receiving the award. It stated how her dedication to youth is reflected in her work such as “Judging, 4-H clubs, plowing contests, Breed selection, participant of living labs—whatever the project, she is always ready to lend a hand, share her knowledge, and inspire the next generation.”
She was described in the address as being “a builder, a mentor, a natural leader, and a reference point for our community” before thanking Daoust for her “decades of dedication and for her ability to bring people together.”
