Between 1928, when he was appointed secretary of the United Farmers of Ontario, and 1963, the year of his untimely death, “Herb” Hannam worked tirelessly in the interests of farm organizations.

His election to the presidency of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in 1943 brought him into national and international prominence. Among the many important positions that he held with distinction in the years following were: chairman for 15 years of the National Agricultural Advisory Committee; a founder and later president of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers; and a founder and for 15 years chairman of the board of the National Farm Forum. As a result of occupying these positions he was able to exert a tremendous influence on Canada’s agricultural policy.

Being dedicated to the belief that food is a powerful factor in the cause of peace, “Herb” Hannam was an ardent advocate of a World Food Bank. By a happy chance he lived to see his dream come true when the United Nations voted a large sum for the establishment of a world food program.

His services to agriculture were recognized in 1946 when he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 1949 when he received the honourary degree of Doctor of Laws from St. Francis Xavier University.