James Clayton Gilson, born in Manitoba, is recognized as an outstanding leader, visionary and contributor to many aspects of the agriculture and food industry in Canada. In his career at the University of Manitoba, he excelled in teaching, research, administration and public service. He has been honoured by his peers and students, by his professional colleagues, and by receiving the Order of Canada.

Over 40 years of service, Clay Gilson shared the scope and depth of his knowledge. He generated a major measure of respect across the agricultural and food industry in the areas of farm policy, farm management, farm credit, crop insurance, international trade, development and transportation policy.

Students and colleagues were impressed by, and most remember forever, his scholarly and challenging approach to learning. He was always well read and ahead of the times in his analysis and prescription for dealing with economic issues in agriculture.

Clay Gilson's long involvement in major policy and program activity at provincial, national and international levels, appointments to boards, task forces and review panels at the heart of policy evolution in Canadian Agriculture is impressive and may be unprecedented. Equally impressive is the one-on-one, telephone, small group and short term study contributions in which he has been involved.

Clay Gilson authored 383 papers presented at seminars, meetings and conferences plus 75 major journal papers and other publications.

His professional strengths are matched by his personal qualities of personal integrity, honesty, compassion, sense of justice and hard work.

Clay Gilson was a firm believer in the classroom-without-walls approach to education as indicated by his long list of rural presentations. He continued, and perhaps increased this level of activity, since retirement in 1992.

James Clayton Gilson is recognized as one of a very small number of professionals at the pinnacle of contribution to the agricultural and food industry of Canada.