Jim Ellis is a native of Cattaraugus County and has been a farmer all of his life. He started showing cattle at age 9 and was named the Brown Swiss Champion of New York State in 1954. He was an Empire State FFA Awardee his Senior Year of High School. After serving in the United States Army, he came back to Cattaraugus County to run the family farm.
Mr. Ellis has been President of Dairy Herd Improvement Corp, President of Cattaraugus County Breeders Association, member of Cooperative Extension and a former member of Farm Bureau. He was also a 4H leader for 25 years.
In the 1970’s Mr. Ellis, along with his wife, Shirley, hosted foreign exchange students from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and France and taught them how farming was done in New York.
Mr. Ellis was a Cattaraugus County Legislator for 14 years where he always worked to improve local roads for neighboring farms and their equipment. During his time he held various positions: Chairman of the Development & Ag Committee, Assistant Chairman of DPW, Member of the Ag & Farmland Protection Board, Representative to Forest Management and Open Space Region 9, and a member of Cattaraugus County Soil & Water.
Although retired, Mr. Ellis still keeps busy on the farm. He is currently raising chickens and turkeys and sells fresh eggs. He is also involved in maple syrup production.
Mr. Ellis would like to thank his daughter-in-law for inviting him to Livingston County’s Dinner which gave him the insight and support for Cattaraugus County to create its own dinner.
