The Honourable Rob Black,
P. Ag. (Hon)

The Honourable Rob Black, P. Ag. (Hon) has dedicated much of his career to agriculture, rural affairs, and leadership. Deeply involved with 4-H Canada, 4-H Ontario, Junior Farmers, and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), he credits these organizations with shaping his path to the Senate. He is a past president of the Canadian 4-H Council.

Rob served as Ward 5 Representative on Wellington County Council, was Past Manager of the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund, and past President of both the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Wellington County Historical Society. He spent 15 years with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), followed by roles as Executive Director of 4-H Ontario and later of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI).

In recognition of his leadership, Rob received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the International Association of Programs For Agricultural Leaders (IAPAL) Leadership Program Director Award (2013), and was named an Honourary Member of the Canadian 4-H Council (2016) and the Canadian Society of Soil Science (2024).  In 2025, Rob was named an Honourary Professional Agrologist, P. Ag. (Hon) by the Ontario Institute of Agrologists.

Appointed to the Senate in 2018 to represent Ontario, he brings expertise in agriculture and rural development. Prior to the recent election, Rob was chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, and previously was the Chair of the Canadian Senators Group (2019–2023). His contributions earned him titles such as 2021 Produce Champion from the Canadian Produce Marketing Agency (CPMA), and received the Hal Rogers Fellow Award in 2023. Rob and his wife Julie live near Fergus, ON, and have four children and three grandsons.