Blue and Gold Award Recipients

Alumnus Peter Corey has been described as exceptional. An individual who IS changing the world. With poverty alleviation occupying his thoughts since his late-teenage years, Peter chose an aquaculture education from NSAC with international work in mind, not knowing where, when, or in what capacity. A trip to the Congo and Mozambique several years ago inspired him to apply his knowledge and skills in aquaculture to alleviate poverty. Upon returning home, he immediately dedicated himself to this task. Fish for Hope, a volunteer initiative fueled and led by Peter, was born. In just over two short years, Fish for Hope has helped revitalize hundreds of existing fish farming operations and inspired the start-up of new ones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These operations bring much needed prosperity, improved food security and household income to thousands of people in the Equateur Province. Through Fish for Hope, week-long training sessions educate fish farmers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many of them women. They use a portion of the harvest for their own consumption and sell the rest locally for cash that can be used to purchase health care, other food items, and pay school fees. Countless fish farmers have even received a $25 tool subsidy (worth three to four hand tools) for pond improvement and expansion. Peter’s initiatives are also providing a full-time salary to a local who serves as the regional aquaculture coordinator for Fish for Hope in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not only does the coordinator’s full-time salary provide a viable livelihood for his family of eight, it also supports his transportation costs for travel to the workshops and various fish farm sites. Recently this included the purchase of a reliable dirt bike for safe travel. In addition to his work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Peter was also instrumental in the design and fundraising to construct a four-tank fish culture system in Mozambique, integrated with gardens and other agricultural initiatives. When asked why he does this, Peter says he feels compelled. It’s not out of a need to prove himself to others or to himself. It’s ultimately about people, about responding to a need, about contributing to the solution. Peter says the enthusiasm for aquaculture, increased productivity and thus greater contribution it makes to lives is admittedly not just more than he expected from their work, but even more than he had hoped for. The impact Peter has made through Fish for Hope’s support of aquaculture in Equateur Province is obvious. Peter is very connected to his church, where he is the leader of music and vice-chair of the board of directors. For the past two years, he has served on the board of the Aquaculture Association of NS. Since January, he has been leading this board as chair. Peter is employed full-time as grow-out manager for Scotian Halibut, located in Woods Harbour, NS. He and his wife have three children. It is most fitting that Peter Corey be named the 2014 recipient of the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.

Can you imagine how many volunteer hours it takes to justify a full-time paid position? The recipient of the Agricultural Campus’ 2013 Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award would know. Although she is much too humble to say. Anna Fitzgerald dedicated so much of her time helping International students over the years at AC, that eventually a full time position was created. As a volunteer student advisor for International students, Anna always went the extra mile for the students. She helped launch the International Student Association and continued to assist the group by taking care of the “behind the scenes” work. Anna spent many weekends chauffeuring groups of students. She took them sightseeing and on outings that would enhance their cultural experiences. Anna organized potluck dinners. She helped the students open bank accounts. She listened. “There’s a fine line between mothering and helping,” says Debbie Mellish, former colleague and close friend of Anna’s. “Anna was very good at that. She’s a very caring person.” Anna could always been counted on for campus fundraisers, including International silent auctions. She was never hesitant to help raise funds for students in need by donating pieces of her beautifully. handcrafted jewelry, which she made in her spare time. Anna took her work and offered her expertise to developing countries during international stints, in Colombia and The Gambia. Her ability to teach and work with international students was perhaps best demonstrated by two six-month work terms in The Gambia where she delivered courses in botany, zoology and plant physiology at Gambia College. She also established and equipped a laboratory for teaching science during her stay at Gambia College. One may argue that the international experiences were part of Anna’s regular job description. However, such endeavors require a lot of extra commitment – above and beyond your regular duties. Anna was very well received during her international trips. She was always very open to adapting herself personally to new cultures. She recognized she had a lot to offer, but so did the locals. For her energy, dedication and commitment to excellence in internationalizing the former NSAC, Anna was presented the 2003 Award for Internationalization. International is not the only department or organization that has benefited from the generosity of Anna and her good sense of humour. As a well-respected lab instructor for 25 years, Anna became heavily involved with local science fairs, volunteering her professional skills. She drew on her knowledge, gained from years in the Environmental Science department, to provide advice to the general public. Quite frequently, Anna could be found with a member of the local community as they questioned her on their sick plants. Anna never turned anyone away, but advised cautiously. Finally settling into her new home in St. Andrew’s, NB with her husband, Michael, some lucky organizations in the community are bound to be touched by Anna’s generosity. Anna is a perfect example of the belief that one person can make a difference. It is most fitting that Anna Fitzgerald be named the 2013 recipient of the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.

Arnold was raised on a mixed farm in Springfield, Prince Edward Island. He attended Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1983, to study in the animal science department. Graduating with an Animal Science technician diploma in 1985, the focus of Arnold’s studies changed direction and he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics in 1988. Immediately after graduating, he was hired by Scotiabank in Saint John, New Brunswick and spent the next two decades moving up through the banking world at various locations in New Brunswick, Halifax and Prince Edward Island. Arnold transferred to Truro in 2005 after accepting a position with the Commercial Banking Division of Scotiabank. He settled in Bible Hill where he still lives with his wife Heather and two daughters Bethany and Olivia. In his spare time he enjoys curling, golf and harness racing. While a student on the Agricultural Campus, Arnold had a dream to one day own his own business. This lifelong ambition was realized in January 2011 when he purchased the Harris Home Hardware Building Centre on Pictou Road from the founder of Harris Home Hardware. In this role he really enjoys working with staff and customers. His commercial career went from strength to strength and in May 2012 he opened a new branch on Willow Street. Arnold has gone above and beyond to dedicate time and energy into his local community. Showing dedication to the Rotary Club of Truro he has been a member since 2005, a member of the club executive for two years, was named Rotarian of the Year in 2007-08 and was recognized with the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2011. Fellow Rotarian Jim Goit remembers Arnold’s excellent coordination of the club’s two major fund raisers, the Annual Community Yearbook and the Annual Auction. Other achievements include serving as board member and chair of the Colchester East-Hants Health Centre Foundation. Sharon Crowe, Executive Director of the Health Centre Foundation describes Arnold as a really committed and hard working volunteer with the Foundation, who has held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Chair and currently holds the Past Chair title. 2 “Arnold began volunteering with the Foundation prior to accepting a board position, working on our biggest fundraiser of the year, our annual Gala. Arnold is a very well-respected member of our board and our community, and has been extremely generous with his time and his talent. “ While living in the Summerside area of Prince Edward Island, Arnold was also a board member with the Prince County Hospital Foundation Arnold holds strong ties to the former NSAC, being actively involved in the Alumni Association. He chaired the association from 2007 -2010 and in this role was instrumental in bringing together the Alumni Association and the former NSAC Foundation. Arnold strongly believes that getting involved in your community is not only a terrific way to meet people but, from a personal standpoint, an effective means to develop your life experiences. Arnold is a perfect example of the belief that one person can make a difference. It is most fitting that Arnold Hagen be named the 2012 recipient of the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.

The description “an amazing leader and tremendous volunteer” came up many times while completing background research on NSAC’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year award recipient. What makes this description all the more impressive is not only the vast number of agricultural organizations and clubs in which our volunteer of the year dedicates her time, but her willingness to give each group 100 per cent.

Kara Irving’s passion for agriculture steeps so deep that it has always filled her spare time, it was the focus of her education and it’s her career.

After graduating from NSAC in 1995 with a science degree, Kara spent some time employed as a dairy specialist with the Department of Agriculture and as a teaching assistant in the animal science department at NSAC. Eventually Kara’s full-time day job became the family business in Pugwash, N.S., Straitside Holsteins, which she shares with her parents, Keith and Joan.��

As for her other “jobs”, Kara is very active with 4-H, judging every category from poultry, demonstration, to public speaking at local and provincial events, often with barely a moment’s notice. She clerked the dairy category at the N.S. 4-H Show for more than a decade, assisted at the pro show as ring steward, official judge and even substitute show announcer.

The Central Nova Holstein Club has also reaped the benefits of Kara’s time for many years. Serving as club secretary, Kara volunteers at shows and sales hosted by the club. She helps with club functions, including Master breeder recognition evenings, judging schools and picnics. For the most part, Kara is the sole organizer of such events.�� Additionally she looks after the club finances, meeting notices, agendas, awards, advertising, promotions and annual meetings.
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Kara is an official judge with Holstein Canada and for the 2011 National Holstein Convention, she was the first volunteer to sign-up. As secretary and chair of the banquet committee, Kara co-ordinated the Master Breeder Banquet, Atlantic Lobster Feast, Exhibitors Breakfast, and refreshments at the annual meeting.����

Kara spent eight years as a member of the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia Board of Directors. During this time she was an adamant supporter of emergency planning at the farm level. Kara volunteered to serve as co-chair of the Atlantic dairy emergency planning committee. She oversaw numerous meetings and conference calls of the steering committee and sub committees to ensure delivery of an emergency management plan to every dairy farm in Atlantic Canada. She very much believed in the cause and volunteered her time for this very special initiative. ��

Among these activities, Kara has opened the barn doors at Straitside Holsteins nearly every year for Open Farm Day, she’s also been involved with the Ag Awareness committee and active with the Maritime Fall Fair.

Perhaps what makes Kara such a valuable volunteer is her strong people skills. Kara has a very natural knack for dealing with others, bringing them onside and making everyone feel a part of the success.�� She has been described to have a “cool head” from start to finish of a task and more importantly, can find the humour needed to get a group through almost any situation.

When not attending meetings, volunteering or milking cows, Kara enjoys travelling, photography and spending time at her cottage.

Kara is a perfect example of NSAC’s belief that one person can make a difference.�� It is most fitting that Kara Irving be named the 2011 recipient of NSAC’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.��

The search for the 2010 recipient of NSAC’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award didn’t have the committee looking far. This year’s recipient is one of NSAC’s own. Staff member, graduate and volunteer, that is.

Jean Lynds couldn’t be more deserving of this award. Characterized by those who know her, Jean is witty, mischievous and good humored. She is a quiet crusader who is always keen to lend a helping hand and expects nothing in return.

Jean grew up on the family farm in River John, NS. Graduating from NSAC in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science she eventually returned to campus to work. Currently, Jean fills the role of crops and ruminant coordinator at the Ruminant Animal Centre.

Jean volunteers many hours at NSAC, working above and beyond her regular job description. As an active member of the NSAC Alumni Association Board of Directors, Jean is a critical part of the team. Not only does she bring forward great ideas to advance the board’s mandate, but she never hesitates to take ideas or tasks to fruition. ��She is always keen to represent the Alumni Association at various events and act on behalf of the directors.

Jean’s involvement on campus doesn’t stop there. She can always be counted on to coordinate farm tours for Recruitment or external groups. Even when given little notice, she pleasantly accommodates groups of all sizes and ages.

Jean is also active with College Royal, Orientation activities, NSAC’s Christmas Parade float and live nativity scene and has even volunteered during NSAC athletic events.

Amid all of this work, Jean still makes time to dedicate to the local community. She has held various roles with minor hockey and soccer and has coached baseball. She has spent time as a Sunday school teacher with the North River United Church and has assisted with the after-school program at North River Elementary School.

Charities have even been touched by Jean. The Terry Fox run celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. This milestone marked Jean’s 29th year participating for the well-known cause. On top of also being a regular blood donor, she has participated in the Relay for Life and been involved with the United Way.

Jean lives in North River, NS with her husband and two children.

Jean is a perfect example of NSAC’s belief that one person can make a difference.

It is most fitting that Jean Lynds be named the 2010 recipient of NSAC’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.

He may be retired, but Robert (Bob) Murray, doesn’t have to wonder what to do in his spare time.�� Bob has spent his working career and retirement dedicated to making a difference for those around him.

Bob spends his days as a member of the St. James Presbyterian Church where he is involved with the Men’s Club, Board of Managers and is a Church Elder. He also volunteers his time as a member with the Postal History Society of Nova Scotia, Postal History Society of Canada, Bible Fellowship Group, Colchester Historical Society and the Truro Philatelic Society where he is secretary, bulletin editor and past president.��

Bob juggles all of this volunteer involvement while still sticking close to his former career. ��After retiring as a berry crop specialist, Bob established Murray Consulting Services. He continues to provide advice to growers on a limited part-time basis. Bob’s also busy leaving his mark as author and co-author of a number of books including��Nova Scotia Cranberry History & Development��and��Tangled Vine: Wine Growing in Nova Scotia.

A lifestyle in agriculture was inevitable for Bob, who was born and raised on his family’s dairy farm in Scotsbourn, Pictou County. Graduating from NSAC in 1952, Bob went on to further his education at McGill. His career with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture & Marketing began immediately upon finishing at McGill in 1954. It lasted 40 years.��

As a berry crops specialist, Bob was the primary contact for many berry crop producers in the province. He took a very practical approach to his work and helped many growers achieve their goals through a conservative, well thought out process.��

Throughout his career, Bob also spent time as a lecturer at NSAC. He enjoyed passing on his berry crop knowledge to students, who later became successful producers or extension workers.

On top of receiving a long service award for his dedication to the Province of Nova Scotia, Bob has also received many other honours including the Recognition Award from the Nova Scotia Strawberry Growers Association, Distinguished Agrologist Award, Honorary Member: Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia, NSIA Distinguished Life Membership Award and Honourary Member NSFA Senate Club. Jost Vineyards felt Bob’s leadership to the Nova Scotia grape and wine sectors were so momentous they named their 1992 Seyval Blanc wine the “Robert Murray Select”.

In addition to the activities that fill Bob’s recent days, he has also left his mark with a number of other organizations.�� These have included Boy Scouts, Windsor & Truro Gyro Club, North American Strawberry Growers Association, Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, as well as with the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and Agricultural Institute of Canada.

Amid all of Bob’s activities and achievements, enjoying cottage life outside of Windsor with his wife Pat, children, John and Nancy, and their families is second to none.

It is more than fitting that Bob Murray be named the 2009 recipient of NSAC’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year award.��

Phil Stead has devoted his professional and personal life to the advancement of Maritime agriculture. Born in Princeport, Nova Scotia Phil grew up on a farm which inspired an acute interest in farming and agriculture that has lasted a lifetime.

Phil graduated from Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in 1965 with a degree certificate. He left Nova Scotia to complete his B.Sc. in Animal Science at McGill University and returned in 1967 to begin what was to be a long and successful career with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, working as a sheep specialist with the Animal Industry Branch. In 1972 Phil continued his education by completing a M.Sc. in Agriculture and Nutrition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Phil worked with sheep until 1974 when he was transferred to dairy where he also worked as a specialist. Phil was promoted to dairy supervisor with the Animal Industry Branch in 1982 and as manager of the Ruminant Livestock Production Technology Branch in 1989. Phil continued with dairy programs until he retired in 1996.

After his retirement from the Department of Agriculture, Phil worked as special projects manager for the Nova Scotia Animal Breeders Co-Op Ltd. until 1998. In 1999 Phil became secretary and part-time fieldman for the Nova Scotia and Newfoundland branch of The Holstein Association of Canada: a position that he continues to hold in a part-time capacity.

Phil was very active in his years with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. In the 1970s he spearheaded the upgrading of dairy production in Nova Scotia. Under his leadership, dairy production almost doubled as he worked tirelessly in coordinating the implementation of new, more efficient technology. Phil’s expertise was sought outside the borders of Canada and he traveled to the Czech and Slovak republics conducting extension projects for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Phil was a member of the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Task Force from 1990 to 1991. He was also chairman of the 1992 annual Canadian Association of Animal Breeders convention which was hosted in Halifax that year.

When talking about the success of the projects he has led Phil points with to the hard work and dedication of those who worked with and for him. This characteristic humbleness no doubt is one of the many reasons Phil is so highly regarded both in his community and in the Nova Scotia agricultural industry.

Despite a demanding career, Phil has devoted much of his personal time to the advancement of Maritime agriculture. Phil has volunteered with the Provincial Exhibition since 1965 where he sat on the board of directors and was chairman of the board for a two year term. Phil also served on the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame board for 12 years. During his time with this organization, Phil found a permanent home at NSAC for the portraits and citations of the Hall of Fame inductees. Phil has been heavily involved with 4-H organization since 1957. He has served as a 4-H club leader and a judge on field days and at Provincial shows.

Phil has never stopped volunteering. He has raised two children and since his formal retirement in 1996 he has only devoted more of his time, despite being busy with three active grandchildren.

Phil is also involved in his community by being an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of Canada and in his local church where he currently sits on the board of managers.

For his passion for volunteering and his many years of serving the Maritime agricultural community, Phil Stead is an outstanding recipient of the 2008 Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award.

Presented by past Chair of the NSAC Foundation, Dick Huggard November 14, 2008.

Dwane and Debbie Mellish are enthusiastic volunteers who truly enjoy giving back to their community and to their alma mater. Always willing to lend a hand, they have repeatedly volunteered during NSAC events and are very active in their community. They can always be counted on for their support and their caring nature is sure to put a smile on the faces of others.

Dwane graduated from NSAC in 1975 with Degree Course Diploma. He formed D. Mellish Advisory Services after leaving government service in 2001 and is also a full- time employee of Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. Dwane has been a member of the Bible Hill Fire Brigade for 26 years and currently holds the position of Fire Chief. He is a member of the Village of Bible Hill Emergency Planning Committee and Coordinator of the Colchester County Basic Fire fighter Program. He has been a member of school Parent Teacher Groups and the Village of Bible Hill Safety Advisory Committee. In 2006, he received the Long Term Service Award from the Village of Bible Hill for community volunteer service for a period of 25 years or longer.

Debbie graduated from NSAC in 1976 with a Biology Laboratory Technology Diploma and has since worked at NSAC for more than 20 years. She currently works in the Department of Environment Sciences and received the NSAC Award for Achievement in Teaching in 2003 for her energy, dedication and commitment to excellence. Debbie’s caring personality has made her an asset on many different committees, especially those involving community outreach. She has provided support and guidance on projects such as the NSAC Open House, Career Fair, Ag Challenge and the High School Introductory Program.

Some of Debbie's other activities include her involvement with the Bible Hill Fire Brigade and the Village Commission of Bible Hill. She has been awarded with a Letter of Commendation and a Gold Medal of Merit from the Colchester Area for her commitment to the community.

Debbie has also been involved with Girl Guides and Pathfinders for 19 years. She is currently a leader with the 2nd Bible Hill Pathfinder Unit, as well as one of the Provincial Deputy Commissioners and a Trainer. Debbie uses her passion as a teacher/mentor to train women with the organization in areas such as Conflict Resolution, Bullying and Bias Awareness. In 2006, she received the Girl Guides of Canada – Fortitude Award for her courage and endurance in adversity.

Dwane and Debbie also continue to make the well-being of NSAC students a top priority. Taking a special interest in our International students, they have given them the opportunity to take part in such things as “international potluck” suppers at their home.

Dwane and Debbie are wonderful ambassadors for the university and we are proud of their accomplishments. Perhaps the best legacy of Debbie and Dwane’s joint community service is that their three daughters, Courtney, Kendra and Maranda, seem to have inherited their caring attitude and willingness to help others.

Presented by Mr. Jim Goit, Executive Director Development and External Relations
October 20th, 2007

The 2006 Alumni Volunteer of the Year award is presented to Sherry Porter, Class of 1975.

A generosity of spirit and an unending desire to give back, best characterizes NSAC alumnus Sherry Porter, Class of 1975, our 2006 Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.

Sherry was raised on a dairy farm in Fort Belcher, Nova Scotia and received her Associate Degree in Agricultural Economics from NSAC in 1975. She continued on to the University of Maine to complete her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Resource Economics in 1977.

Sherry’s farm background and agricultural career has touched on all areas of the agriculture sector from production to marketing and retail. For ten years she was a Marketing Officer with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Then came the challenge of marketing unfamiliar commodities with her move to National Sea Products in 1986 where she was responsible for the marketing of their fresh fish line. Always eager for new challenges, Sherry then accepted the position of Vice-President Atlantic Region of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors.

Sherry has continued to advance throughout her career moving from a variety of increasingly prestigious positions including, Director of Public Affairs for Sobeys Inc., Vice President, Public Affairs and Marketing for Nova Scotia Power Inc., Vice President Corporate and Government Affairs for Shoppers Drug Mart Limited, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and partner with Caldwell Partners International. Up until her retirement last year, Sherry was providing corporate counselling for various Atlantic based organizations.

While Sherry worked diligently to advance her professional career she also gave precious time to advancing the objectives of various organizations for whom she was passionate.

Sherry served as secretary to her professional organization, the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists for three years and as president for one. She was a National Councillor for two years and Vice President for one with the Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC) and with the AIC Research Foundation. She exemplifies the type of hard-working, dedicated agrologist that makes the organization flourish. She has held almost every position possible in the Institute both provincially and nationally and has done it well, receiving the Distinguished Agrologist Award in 1992.

The concept of giving back is important to Sherry as evidenced by her wide variety of community involvement including participating as a Board member of the Runnymeade hospital in Toronto, Chair of the Corporate Campaign for the Metro United Way in Halifax, Co-Chair of the Women of Distinction Program for the Toronto YWCA, Chamber of Commerce, St. Matthew’s United Church and Chair of the Camp Hill Foundation Marketing Campaign.

Current Board involvement includes the NSAC Foundation, Symphony Nova Scotia - she also served as Chair of the Search Committee for the position of Music Director- Chair of Major Gifts for the QE2 Working Miracles Campaign, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and most recently, Chair of the Pier 21 Society.

Sherry’s position as Chair of the Pier 21 Society exemplifies her involvement to all that she commits. She joined the Pier 21 Board in 1998 and became Chair in 1999. In her four years as Chair, the fledgling organization raised hundreds of thousands of dollars from private sources. Sherry has been involved in every event Pier 21 has staged since it opened and inspires others to do the same. She is incapable of being marginally involved in an organization. Sherry and her husband Doug are very generous to all organizations in which they are involved and understand that it is very important to lead by example. What is truly remarkable is that while Sherry has been working so diligently for Pier 21 she has also been very involved with other boards and organizations. She is a wonderful ambassador for NSAC.

For her generosity of spirit, her unending desire to give back and the many contributions she has made to her community, Sherry Porter is the ideal recipient of the Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award.

Presented by Executive Director Development and External Affairs Jim Goit
October 21st , 2006

The Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award is a new award, instituted in honour of NSAC’s centennial. The award honours an alumnus, who has consistently and enthusiastically donated of their time and talents to advancing the objectives of the university and/or the Alumni Association and with whose support has significantly enhanced the success of various programs. It is only fitting that Dale be the first to receive this honour as his spirit of volunteerism has permeated his career and continues to blossom in retirement.

Alfred Dale Ells was born and raised in Sheffield Mills in the Annapolis Valley. He entered the NSAC in 1957 and received a degree diploma with high honours in 1959. In 1961, he received a B.Sc. (Agr.) degree with a major in Horticulture from Macdonald College of McGill University. He later earned his M.A. degree in Economics from Acadia University.

Dale Ells began his professional career with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing as a marketing specialist. In 1966, he was appointed to the Faculty of NSAC as Associate Professor and Dean of Vocational and Technical Education. As Dean, he was instrumental in the development and management of the technician and technology diploma programs as well as a wide variety of certificate and short courses.

Dale played a lead role in the growth of physical facilities that took place on the campus during his tenure. The quality, standards and capacity of Cox Institute, Banting Building, Langille Athletic Centre, Jenkins Hall, MacRae Library and Haley Institute, reflects Dale’s vision and tenacity in seeking the best for NSAC.

Dale has had many notable accomplishments throughout his career but it is also what he has made happen behind the scenes that is noteworthy. His enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail made him a passionate supporter of the NSAC Agricola Collection, not only by generously contributing to the Collection but by leading many special displays. Dale also took on the added role of promoting the university to various media outlets and was the man behind the original Agricola Newsletter which still continues today. Dale also spearheaded the development of the NSAC logo and more recently a proposed Coat of Arms.

Dale’s passion for preserving the past led him to write a comprehensive history of the university which has become, along with Dale himself, an indispensable resource to the institution. More recently, as an active member of the Colchester Historical Society, Dale was instrumental in launching an historical display on the NSAC in celebration of its centennial. The display was a wonderful depiction of the past 100 years of the university’s history and accomplishments and remained on display for several months. Dale also developed a Heritage Contest for the university which helped launch its centennial festivities in February.

For his unwavering support of the university, his passion for the historical and his generosity of spirit, Dale Ells is the ideal recipient of the Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award.

Presented by past Principal Dr. Les Haley
October 15th, 2005

Trying to subtly talk his then girlfriend, whom he met while finishing his degree at McGill University, into coming to his home province of Nova Scotia – Donald Cameron explained it was a beautiful place to live and raise a family and that he wanted to build a farming business. He also admitted we could do better here and that someday, he was going to be part of a government to make those changes for NS.

Not only did he sell that proposition to his wife of now over 50 years, but he built, owned and managed one of the biggest farm operations in NS before fueling the biggest desire burning within – and made change.

When first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 1974, Don was appointed Minister of Recreation. Elected six more times, he also served as Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Industry and served as Chairman of the Legislature’s Free Trade Committee before becoming Premier of Nova Scotia in 1991.

Among many of the changes he helped make, a highlight for Don included the first day he sat in the legislature as premier, his government introduced Human Rights legislation, which included equal rights for gays and lesbians, making NS one of the first places in North America to do so.

Even though this was a moment of pride for Don, he’s certainly not one to brag. He admits he is very humble and always said he wanted the job, not the title. And when asked about his career, his quick response is simple – he’s a farmer.

Humble, kind, passionate about agriculture and making a difference, there’s no question that Don Cameron is a very deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2019.��

Mr. John Tait (Class of ‘66) is often described by students at ��������app University Faculty of Agriculture as a “legendary professor.” His dedication to his students always went beyond the classroom, earning him this unofficial, yet deserving, title. His students were his top priority and teaching was his passion. A graduate himself of ��������app University Faculty of Agriculture (then Nova Scotia Agricultural College), John exceeds the criteria for the Faculty of Agriculture’s most prestigious award of Distinguished Alumni. ��

Recognized at the 2018 Blue and Gold Awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award acknowledges outstanding service and commitment to the Faculty of Agriculture, industry and the Alumni Association. ��John has done just that, and so much more.

John’s journey in academics began at Dal AC in 1966 where he graduated with a diploma in agriculture majoring in agricultural economics. He then moved to Ontario to study science at the MacDonald College of McGill University. After graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science majoring again in agricultural economics, John struggled to find a job that he felt truly passionate about.

“My academic advisor told me the reason I wasn’t ready to accept a job was because I was ready to do my Master’s degree,” John explains.

Following the advice of his academic advisor, in 1970 John graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Master’s of science degree in resource economics. He then returned to his alma mater, Dal AC, and was hired as a professor in the business department.

“I was not a natural lecturer,” John smiles. “My wife was sure I wasn’t going to survive! It was difficult for me to get up in front of people. Once I realized what the students at AC were like- they wanted to see you succeed, it was easier. It was certainly not clear sailing but it got easier.”

It was these first few cohorts of students that John taught that helped him realize his passion for helping students succeed. Always looking for new opportunities to help his students reach their full potential, John played an instrumental role in developing the agricultural economics and agricultural business programs from two year diploma programs to four year degree programs. After that, John became head of the business department at Dal AC, a position he held for over twenty years.

On top of teaching classes, John was also an academic advisor for students in the agricultural business and economics programs. As professor and advisor, John inspired many students to excel in the business and farming programs and has supervised projects at the diploma, undergraduate and graduate levels.

John was also responsible for the farming technology program, a program that required students to perform seven months of on-farm training. It was here that John’s passion for his students really shone through. He dedicated much of his time to finding the perfect farm for work placements for students. His involvement didn’t end with matching students with farms. He regularly performed follow up visits to ensure his students were succeeding.

John’s passion for ensuring student success extended internationally as well. From 1989 to 1993, John worked with students extensively in countries such as Kenya, Gambia, and Estonia. A number of students attended Dal AC to upgrade from diploma to degree level status. Not only acting as academic advisor for some of the international students, John worked as replacement professor and lecturer, presenting short courses in Kenya, Gambia, and Estonia.

Based on testimonials from students, it’s clear that John seemed able to connect with his students in a way that is often rare. He was often a recipient of student awards, a definite highlight of his teaching career. John believes that it is his own experience as an Aggie that allows him to understand students on a deeper level.

“My early performance at AC was not stellar,” John admits. “In retrospect, I got along really well in dealing with students because I understood what they were going through and their challenges. I believe it helped me to, hopefully, guide them a little bit better.”

Although John retired in 2005 and is no longer a professor at Dal AC, he has left a lasting impact on the campus, the students, staff and his fellow faculty members. John’s name is a familiar name around the Aggie farm family table and has positively impacted students both on campus, and around the world. John Tait, the legendary professor, is certainly more than deserving of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the Faculty of Agriculture’s most prestigious award, recognizing truly outstanding service and commitment to the Faculty of Agriculture, industry and the Alumni Association. Our 2017 recipient has done just that.

You could easily say Dr. Les Haley’s career has gone full circle.

Dr. Haley began his post-secondary education at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. As a student, Dr. Haley had a great passion for being involved and advancing the campus. During his second year of studies, Dr. Haley was involved with the Students’ Council, serving as secretary-treasurer. In 1958, he graduated with a Degree Course Diploma.

Dr. Haley went on to continue his studies, majoring in Poultry Science, at the Ontario Agricultural College and received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Toronto.

After a brief appointment with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing, Dr. Haley began graduate studies at the Ontario Agricultural College specializing in Genetics and Animal Breeding. Dr. Haley completed the requirements for the M.S.A. and enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of California in Davis, California, continuing to specialize in Genetics.

Once receiving his Ph.D, Dr. Haley returned to Canada and began teaching at the University of Saskatchewan. However, it wasn’t long before Dr. Haley headed back east, becoming assistant professor with the Department of Biology at ��������app University in 1970.Dr. Haley was particularly interested in the way science was taught to undergraduates and participated with other faculty members in the Audio Tutorial Approach to teaching Introductory Biology.

Dr. Haley’s research activities included investigations on the genetic variations of oysters, lobsters and mussels. He served as a student advisor, supervised graduate students and had a key role in developing the Honours Program in Marine Biology.

During his eighteen years at ��������app, Dr. Haley had a variety of responsibilities associated with the Department of Biology, university administration and the School of Education. program.

In the fall of 1989, Dr. Haley returned to his roots. During Autumn Assembly, Dr. Haley commenced responsibilities as the ninth principal of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

One of his first concerns was to increase student numbers and a task force from the faculty was appointed and given this challenge. The group was successful and under Dr. Haley’s leadership, enrollment reached nearly 1000 students, a trend that still holds today. Dr. Haley encouraged the development of an aquaculture option in the science degree program and the addition of new space for aquaculture instruction and research. Today, the program is the only one is Canada offering a B.Sc. Agr. with a major in aquaculture. It is well recognized across the country by industry. The program has grown internationally, attracting students from Bolivia, Norway, China and beyond.

He was one of the collaborators who developed the co-operative Masters program in Agriculture with ��������app. Dr. Haley promoted expansions in research activity and graduate enrollment. Related to this was the encouragement and development of several industry Chairs of Research.

As principal, Dr. Haley represented the campus in several roles including the Confederation of Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, the Canadian Agricultural Research Council, and the Senate of ��������app University.

The magnitude of Dr. Haley’s contributions to NSAC can be easily observed today by a stroll across campus. It would be hard to miss the name of our Animal Science building – the Haley Institute of Animal Science and Aquaculture. More commonly known as, “Haley”. In recognition of Dr. Haley’s service to NSAC, the building was named at a ceremony held February 14, 2002.

After leaving such a significant mark on campus and significantly advancing the institution, Dr. Haley was appointed deputy minister of the Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Dr. Haley held this position for two years, during a period of reduced funding for provincial departments. Dr. Haley was instrumental in consolidating the department and regrouping the delivery of several services. In 1998, Dr. Haley retired from Province of Nova Scotia.

Dr. Les Haley has clearly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to the university. He is undoubtedly a positive role model for the Faculty of Agriculture and agriculture, making him a very deserving recipient of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2017.

The annual Blue & Gold awards banquet was held on campus November 3, 2016 honouring those alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their alma mater, their communities, Atlantic Canada and beyond.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the Faculty of Agriculture’s most prestigious award, recognizing truly outstanding service and commitment to the Faculty of Agriculture, industry and the Alumni Association.

The 2016 recipient has done just that.

David Thompson’s active career in agriculture began immediately after graduation from NSAC in 1970.

After a stint with the PEI Department of Agriculture, David accepted a position in private industry, where he really took off. David began a career with the crop protection industry, working in sales, marketing and providing technical support to farmers and industry in the Maritime provinces, Quebec and Maine. David became well known and respected among potato and cereal growers across the country. A forward thinker in agriculture, David was always attentive to environmental issues and as a result, initiated many stewardship programs.

David has been a member of the Board of Directors of the World Potato Congress since 2000 and is currently serving as president and CEO. This organization works to promote the potato industry worldwide by hosting a World Potato Congress every three years and is recognized as a major player in the global potato industry.

In addition to this work, David is also president of the Board of Directors of the PEI Grain Elevators Corporation, a role he has held since 2009 and has helped promote the growth of the grain and soybean industry on PEI.

“A sincere thank-you to the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture Alumni Association for the honor of the Distinguished Alumnus Award,” said David.�� “The education I received at NSAC launched my 46-year career in Agriculture,” he added.

In retirement, David continues agricultural stewardship, working and volunteering with numerous organizations including the Potato Association of America, Canadian Association of Agricultural Retailers, Croplife Canada, Fertilizer Canada, Canadian Horticultural Council. Most recently, David has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame, representing Atlantic Canada. With his excellent broad knowledge and networking skills, he is a valued liaison between the agriculture industry and all levels of government

Over the past number of years David has been involved in his local community, serving as member of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Board, the Rotary Club of Charlottetown, Kinsmen, K-40 and the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Amidst his diverse agricultural experience, over the past 46 years, David has always remained interested in ��������app’s Faculty of Agriculture. He is an ongoing supporter of the Chuck Harrison Memorial Bursary, in memory of a fellow class member.�� He also facilitates two other awards on behalf of his organizations - the Atlantic Council of Crop Life Canada Bursaries and the Atlantic Fertilizer Council Bursary.

“During my years at NSAC, I enjoyed a full social life, travelled, played hockey and most importantly made lifelong friends. Many of these friends continue to be an important part of my career today.�� It is a privilege to join the prestigious list of previous honorees and�� I look forward to continued work with the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture Alumni Association. “

David Thompson has clearly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to the university. He is undoubtedly a positive role model for the Faculty of Agriculture and agriculture, making him a very deserving recipient of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2016.

What began as a means to sell his fresh produce in his home community has grown to be a venture more successful than Eric Jennings could have imagined. In 1969, Eric founded the Masstown Market, now one of Nova Scotia’s most well-known shopping destinations - and hasn’t looked back.

When Eric Jennings graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1958, he left his home community of Masstown, Nova Scotia, for employment opportunities in the Annapolis Valley. However, he knew that what he truly wanted to do was farm, and where he truly wanted to do it was at home. And so in 1965, he and his wife Priscilla packed up their things and headed back to Masstown, where they began to grow produce and sell it to their neighbours.

Eric noticed there was a lack of fresh goods in the West Colchester area, and felt that he could do something to fill the gap. In 1969, he opened a roadside produce stand just minutes down the road from his home. Affectionately known as “the fruitstand” by locals, the Masstown Market was born.

Eric began selling his own produce as well as that of other local farmers, including apples from the Annapolis Valley. In 1973, due to growing demand, Eric added a piece to the original building and started selling home-baked goods from local kitchens. And the growth hasn’t stopped.

As Eric sought out ways to attract new customers and further satisfy existing ones, expansions to the Market took place roughly every three years. The operation is now home to a grocery store, two restaurants, deli, bakery, ice cream counter, gift shop, garden centre, fish market, lighthouse complete with Bay of Fundy interpretive displays, and Nova Scotia Liquor Commission outlet, all on the same 9.5-acre property. Across the road can be found a corn maze and playground, a welcome centre that can also be rented out for events, a gas station, and a Tim Hortons Express. Combined, the two properties encompass roughly 55 acres and handle well over a million transactions every year. All departments collectively employ over 150 people in the summer months, and 120 during the winter.

Both the Masstown Market and Eric himself have been recognized by several organizations for their success over the years, including TripAdvisor, the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce and the Central Nova Tourist Association. In fact, the Market has won 12 awards from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and this past year was inducted into its Hall of Fame.

Although Eric is technically retired, he can still be found at the Market most days working alongside his two sons, Laurie and Wade, who respectively oversee the management and operational sides of the business. The Masstown Market is truly a family business – Laurie’s wife, Lisa, is also heavily involved, and several of Eric’s grandchildren as well as extended family members work or have worked there.

A good many things at the Masstown Market have changed since 1969. However, the things that haven’t changed are perhaps more important. When Eric founded his business, he sought to provide three things: good quality produce, friendly service, and reasonable prices. These three things have remained ever-present within the business and have proven to be the keys to his success; these, and supporting the people who supported him. Eric has always made an effort to support his local community in any way he could, whether it be through purchasing product from local farmers or hiring local contractors for one of the Market’s many expansions.

Eric’s overwhelming dedication to his family business, his community and local agriculture as well as his undeniable success make him a very deserving recipient of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2015.

��

After being awarded a national scholarship to study agriculture for four years at any Canadian University, Garth Coffin graduated from high school, packed his bags, crossed the Northumberland Straight and headed to NSAC. Studying here for two years, he then moved on to Macdonald College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. After teaching back in PEI for a few years, Garth’s thirst for knowledge took him to the University of Connecticut where he earned both a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. Garth once again returned to PEI to work for the government, but was quickly lured away to Montreal to become director of Economic Research and Secretary to the Canadian Livestock Feed Board, a Federal Crown Corporation. He held this position for eight years before returning to work in the academic world at Macdonald College. Garth remained at McGill for 18 years, serving as associate dean research and acting dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences before being offered the job as principal of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1996. Garth was appointed principal to NSAC during particularly hard financial times. Despite serious staff reductions and cut-backs in the provincial budget to the campus, at the beginning of his tenure, Dr. Coffin grew NSAC’s budget significantly, to an extra $1.5 million. This was a tremendous recovery from the original cut-backs. Working at his original alma mater, Garth was a great supporter of athletic and artistic events on campus. He was ever present at sporting events and tournaments held on campus and encouraged the formation of a drama society. Garth cared tremendously about the well-being of NSAC, its students and its employees. His leadership and vision over his six-year tenure helped shape the reputation of NSAC and inspired a generation of students to broaden their view of the world through international development work and student exchange. Garth appointed NSAC’s first dean of internationalization. With this appointment, NSAC became highly recognized for its international involvement, a characteristic that is still evident on campus today. He introduced the External Relations office to NSAC by appointing the first executive director of Development and External Relations. During Garth’s tenure, the value of all student scholarships awarded at NSAC tripled and research funding increased to 2.5 times larger than before he arrived. After retirement from NSAC in 2003, Garth was appointed to the Board of the Canadian AgriFood Policy Institute, Federal Crown Corporation based in Ottawa where he served until 2009. Garth believes in the power of community and has given his time and talents for the betterment of others. Although many volunteer groups have been touched by Dr. Coffin’s skills, the time and impact he has dedicated to the Rotary Club of Truro may be the most notable. A Rotarian for over 15 years, Garth has served in every executive capacity and led many committees. Last spring, Garth was honoured by the club for his contributions. He was presented the Five Avenues of Service award. Garth‘s involvement in the community and career accomplishments are so natural, he’s not even aware of his own impacts. His work makes him an inspiration to others. Garth has mentored a number of other Rotarians, all who have become very successful within the organization. He is excellent at giving others the recognition they deserve and is never shy to nominate colleagues for various awards. His name is still held in a very high regard on the campus of the former NSAC. The hard work he devoted to campus during his six years as principal helped form the unique culture and special environment that is still evident at the Faculty of Agriculture today. Garth has been known to draw inspiration from a Whinston Churchill quote: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” And give he does. Garth’s devotion to his community, his impactful career and his inspiring accomplishments make him a worthy recipient for ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumni Award.��

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the Faculty of Agriculture’s most prestigious award, recognizing truly outstanding service and commitment to the Faculty of Agriculture, industry and the Alumni Association. The 2013 recipient of this award has done just that. Gabriel Comeau is a well-known name that is highly regarded in the dairy industry, in particular. During challenging times, Gabriel made a significant impact on the industry in this province. His work is still evident today. In 1989, Gabriel was appointed manager of the Nova Scotia Dairy Commission, a position he held for over 10 years. From that role, Gabriel became the first general manager of what is now Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, until his retirement from that position two years later. During his time in the dairy industry, Gabriel represented the province on numerous national committees, including the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee. Gabriel participated in the negotiations leading to the establishment of Interprovincial milk pools in the mid 1990’s. Provincially, he guided several initiatives, including major overhauls in producer pricing, milk transportation, merger of quotas into a single quota system and the eventually transition from a government commission to Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, a producer-run marketing board. Although Gabriel wasn’t always heavily involved in the dairy industry, he’s always had strong ties to agriculture. After graduating from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1972, Gabriel attended McGill University where he earned a B.Sc. (Agr.). In 1985 he studied at Cornell University, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics. Upon his graduation from McGill, Gabriel joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, serving in various positions in the field of agricultural extension. This included work as assistant agricultural representative, agricultural representative, farm management specialist and farm management supervisor. Since “retiring”, Gabriel has operated a simultaneous interpretation company, Echovoix, which provides interpretation services to a variety of clients, primarily in the field of agriculture, across North America. Gabriel is a member and a past president of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists. He was the recipient of the inaugural C. A. Douglas Extension Award, and is an honourary member of Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. Work is not the only task that keeps Gabriel busy. He enjoys a wide range of interests including travelling and sports. As a runner, Gabriel has participated in lots of events including the Cabot Trail Relay Race. He’s a hockey fan, enjoying the sport as an athlete with a “gentleman’s” league as well as through a hockey pool. Gabriel also swings a mean golf club and has been known to ski down many a downhill ski slope. He is proud of his Acadian heritage and retains a close connection to his home community of Meteghan, Digby County. Gabriel has two children, Lisanne and Matt and last year became a proud grandfather. Gabriel has truly earned the honour of being named the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus of 2013.

Peter is a fourth generation farmer of Southview Farms, a 750-acre family farm in Woodville, Nova Scotia. He left the family farm to begin studies at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1965. After his time at the Agricultural Campus he returned to the farm where, with his father Harry and other family members, has made many improvements and developments over the years. In the mid 90's a farm feed mill was installed to make feed for pullets and layers. In 2007 egg production was doubled by purchasing additional quota. Southview Farms was a leading promoter of intensive cereal management and using tram lines as a way to service crops. Peter has been instrumental in working in cooperation with agriculture organizations to improve farming methods in the region. This includes involvement in grain test plots in cooperation with the former NSAC and the Department of Agriculture. He also hosted many tours and equipment demonstrations. Peter is known locally and nationally for excellence in the agriculture and agri-food industry. He is specifically renowned within the Canadian egg and poultry sector for his work in setting high quality standards for food safety, for which he has received numerous awards. Throughout his career Peter has dedicated countless hours to provincial, national and international boards. He served on the Nova Scotia Egg Producers board since 1987, and is a consultant on the Animal Welfare Committee of the United Egg Producers of the USA. As a representative of Nova Scotia on the Egg Farmers of Canada Board of Directors since 1995, he chaired the Budget, Research and Production Management Committees and was elected as First Vice Chair in 2006 and Chairman in 2011. Peter was previously Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACA Co-operative, a company that under his leadership achieved consolidated sales in excess of $100 million. He was also past President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. Peter served as chairman of AgraPoint, Nova Scotia Winter Grain Marketing Board and Atlantic Grains Council. Other past achievements include appointments as the Atlantic representative on the Canada Grains Council, the Nova Scotia representative on the Net Income Stabilization Account and as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Atlantic Veterinary College. Peter’s commitment to the sector has not gone unnoticed. In 1990 he received the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists inaugural Outstanding Farmer Award. He was also the recipient of the Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce 2006 Kings County Business Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2007 for his outstanding commitment within the Canadian Egg and Poultry sector, Peter was honored with the Order of Nova Scotia. Despite all this success Peter is a very humble individual who credits his accomplishments to the great people with whom he has had the opportunity to work. Aside from his dedication to the agricultural industry, Peter has devoted himself to his local community. He served as a volunteer firefighter for nineteen years in the Waterville and District Fire Department, and is currently a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Kentville, which he has been involved with for almost twenty years. Peter and his wife Janet have two children, Jeff and Trish who are both graduates of NSAC and six grandchildren. Peter would describe himself as passionate about agriculture and proud to be a farmer. Peter has truly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to the Agriculture sector. It is with great pride that we name Peter Clarke as ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus of 2012.

Early on, Arch Cook mastered the traits that would later be the key to success throughout his career – a sense of responsibility and appreciation of the importance of hard work. At the age of 10, following the untimely death of his father, Arch was tasked with assuming the role of “man of the house”, looking out for his mother, younger brother and two sisters at their South Ohio, N.S. home.

Shortly after taking on this role, Arch also began to develop his business and entrepreneurial instincts. He acquired a cow and cared for it to help support the family. Perhaps it was this cow that led Arch to an agricultural education and a life-long career in the dairy industry.

Arch attended NSAC before going on to complete his degree in Dairy Administration from OAC. While at NSAC, Arch excelled as a guard on the basketball team, was actively involved with the Students’ Council, as well as other clubs and had a strong academic performance.

Arch’s career with the dairy industry began with Amalgamated Dairies in P.E.I. and then Farmer’s Dairy in NS. Arch played a leadership role with the development of Farmer’s Cheese Division in Salmon River, selecting the plant site, leading plant design, supervising construction, selecting equipment for the plant, as well as hiring and training staff to run the cheddar cheese operation.

After leaving a big mark at Farmer’s, Arch took a position with Baxter Dairies Ltd. Here he spent the rest of his career in leadership roles, furthering their portfolio and eventually earning the title, vice president, operations.

In this role, Arch was responsible for operations of four large plants, a hefty vehicle fleet and an ice cream novelty operation. Arch’s title of vice president, operations eventually shifted to the Baxter’s owned, Kelly Tire (later Coast Tire and Automotive Services). Arch made a huge impact, growing the operation and turning it into a huge success.

Arch’s sense of responsibility, business instincts and capacity for hard work are qualities which Arch has retained and reinforced throughout his career. To those he has added strong management skills, which he has used effectively both at work and in the community at large.

Arch is a “no nonsense” performer who likes to get things done quickly. When he is criticized by colleagues for being demanding and impatient, when he feels that a project is going too slowly, he has been heard to reply, “I know that Rome was not built in a day, but then, I was not the foreman either!”

In his spare time, Arch served as director and president of the Atlantic Dairy Council and been involved with the Technical Committee of the National Dairy Council and the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement in Saint John.

Along with his life partner, Marg, Arch has always been actively involved with their local church, serving a number of roles. In retirement, Arch and Marg are dedicated volunteers with the Sower Ministry (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready to Serve) in Southern U.S. During the winter months they work in Christian camps, orphanages, senior residences and colleges.

Arch has truly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to NSAC and the Alumni Association. It is with great pride that we name Arch Cook NSAC’s Distinguished Alumnus of 2011. Arch’s younger brother, Harold, was named NSAC’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2007. This is the first time that an NSAC alumni award has been shared by family members.

Raised in Port Mouton and Liverpool, NS, William (Bill) Swetnam, graduated from Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1956. ��Bill discovered what he was destined to do when he purchased a farm in Sheffield Mills, NS in 1958.��

As a young farmer, Bill began in broiler production and became involved with the Broiler Association. In 1970 he increased his quota and built his first large broiler barn. His first flock of turkeys were marketed in March, 1971.��

Throughout his career, Bill dedicated countless hours to many boards. As a founder of the Nova Scotia Turkey Marketing Board he also spent time on the County South and East Livestock Health Services Board, the NS Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission, Canadian Livestock Feed Board Advisors Committee, as well as Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board.�� Bill also served as president of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture and became a member of the Council of Leaders with the Federation.


In 2004, the NS Federation of Agriculture recommended Bill to the Farm Practices Board of Nova Scotia for a three year appointment.�� He has served as Chair of this Board for the duration of his two terms. Bill’s latest appointment is to the Agriculture Land Review Committee given to him in October 2009.��

Aside from his devotion to the agricultural industry, Bill has exhibited dedication, commitment and community leadership in many ways.�� As a member of Canard United Church, he has served as an elder, Chair of the Board of Trustees, a steward, a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Men’s Club.�� Bill has represented Canard United Church in the Valley United Church Presbytery and has chaired both the Finance and Property committees.

Bill is a member of the Kentville Rotary Club, has been a Scout Leader and served as President of the Sheffield Mills Community Association.

Even the health field in NS has been touched by Bill. Serving on the Board of the Valley Health Services Association, Bill lead the fundraising campaign to help build the Valley Regional Hospital.��

Bill’s dedication to his community has not gone unnoticed. In 2002 he was honoured by the Queen with the Golden Jubilee Medal.

Today, Bill’s family farm includes Wilmar Acres Ltd. and Dominion Produce Ltd. Spanning over 750 acres and including six broiler chicken barns and quota, the farm produces field crops, fresh market carrots and onions.

Many times Bill has expressed his appreciation for life with his family living in Sheffield Mills.�� If asked why he has devoted so much of this time and resources to community, church, recreation and agriculture he would probably say, “because it’s the right thing to do!”

Bill and his wife Mary have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Bill has truly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to NSAC and the Alumni Association. It is with great pride that we name Bill Swetnam NSAC’s Distinguished Alumnus of 2010.

It’s not hard to agree that Charlie Embree has made a great impact on the agriculture industry, both locally and abroad. His mark, without a doubt, will be long lasting.
Growing up in Springhill, Charlie studied at NSAC, graduating in 1961 and went on to complete his degree at the University of Guelph.

Working in a number of capacities throughout his career, Charlie served agriculture in Nova Scotia for over 40 years.�� He began as an extension specialist in the tree fruit sector before moving to administration as director of horticulture and biology services for the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and also as a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

In addition, Charlie has been extensively involved in international agricultural efforts, relating to tree fruit. For this he has received a medal of recognition from the International Society of Horticultural Science for co-organizing the first symposium on organic apples and pears. His other international involvement includes filling the role of reference co-coordinator for the US regional research committee, known as North Central Regional Research, as well as a member of the CGC United States Germplasm Committee and the North East Plant Growth Regulator working group.

Throughout his career, Charlie has always maintained his ties to NSAC. Serving as an adjunct professor since 1988, he has given many lectures on propagation and apple production technologies. ��On top of this, Charlie has mentored many NSAC students and a number of grad students.��

Charlie’s work has positioned him as a recognized leader and educator, to several generations of fruit growers, to improve the tree fruit industry. While he sharpens the science of fruit growing as a professional, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty doing the actual work. Growers in Nova Scotia have benefitted from Charlie’s expertise, as have growers in NB, PEI, Maine and other areas.

Charlie has been active in a number of professional and industry organizations including Director and President of NSIA, Director of Agricultural Institute of Canada, Director of Canadian Society of Horticultural Science and Director of NSFGA. He has also received a number of recognitions for his efforts. These awards have included Distinguished Life Member from the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists, NSFGA Honorary Life Member and NSFGA Golden Apple Award.��

Most recently Charlie was appointed to the Nova Scotia Food Council - a committee to develop food issues which encompasses production, health, security, research, environment and international employees, as well as other issues.

Because of this great work, Charlie has truly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to NSAC and the Alumni Association. It is with great pride that we name Charlie Embree NSAC’s Distinguished Alumnus of 2009.

The 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to Dr. Robert Gordon NSAC class of 1985.

Nova Scotia Agricultural College alumnus Robert Gordon is known for his passion for agriculture, his enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and for his dedication to public service. Robert has a long history with Nova Scotia agriculture and NSAC. Born in Ontario but raised in Nova Scotia, he graduated from NSAC with an engineering diploma in 1985. He joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing in 1988 as Provincial Climatologist. Robert also earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering and a master's degree in agricultural physics from McGill University and a PhD in land resource science from University of Guelph.

In 1999 he became an associate professor at NSAC and has since served as dean, department head, and Canada Research Chair. Robert was named Dean of Research in 2006. As dean, he managed multi-faceted research and outreach programs that supported the growth and innovation of the agricultural sector, in addition to administering technology transfer and outreach programs and creating new industry research chairs. At the same time, Robert also had the energy to hold another major job and headed the environmental management section of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.

A leading authority on climate-related issues in Canada, Robert held the Canada Research Chair in Agricultural Resource Management, which focused on identifying adaptive resource management issues at the farm level. He was also an adjunct professor of plant and soil science at the University of Vermont and ��������app University, a member of the graduate faculty at University of Guelph and an honorary research associate at the University of New Brunswick.

Robert was the chief administrator of the Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Plan Program and chaired the science and the innovation chapter of the province's Agricultural Policy Framework. He also sat on a number of boards including Conserve Nova Scotia, the Berwick Energy Centre, AgraPoint and was active with NSERC, including the grant selection committee. He is also a former chair of the Canada Committee on Natural Resources under the Canadian Agricultural Research Council.

In 2007, Robert was presented with the Premier's Award of Excellence, the most prestigious award a Nova Scotia public servant can receive. He also received the Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Canadian Society of Agricultural Engineering, the Young Agrologists Award from the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and the first Graham K. Walker Memorial Award for Excellence in Agrometeorology from the Canadian Society of Agrometeorology.

The 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to Dr. Harold William Cook, Class of 1966.

Dr. Harold Cook is a prominent Canadian scientist with a 28-year career in pediatrics and biochemistry research and is currently the 11th Dean of ��������app University’s Faculty of Medicine.

Since his appointment, July 1, 2004, Dr. Cook has been leading the Faculty through an extensive renewal process involving significant executive recruitment and strategic planning designed to meet the changing medical needs of Canada’s three Maritime provinces well into the twenty-first century.

Under Dr. Cook’s leadership and at the invitation of the government of New Brunswick, the Faculty is exploring the feasibility of establishing a four-year undergraduate medical training program for anglophones in New Brunswick.

As Dean, Dr. Cook serves on a variety of boards including those of the Capital District Health Authority, administering the Maritimes’ most extensive array of tertiary health care institutions and the IWK Health Centre, operating the region’s chief pediatric care facility.

His priorities include strengthening the distributed medical education program; obtaining more sustainable funding, filling vacancies in leadership positions with top-flight recruits; renovating and expanding research and teaching infrastructure and improving the quality, capacity and delivery of medical education.

Born in Yarmouth, N.S., Dr. Cook is a graduate of NSAC, Macdonald College at McGill University and of ��������app University. His post-doctoral fellowship was completed at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Cook is one of the world’s leading authorities on fatty acids and lipids with 130 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters to his credit. His reputation in the research community has brought him frequent invitations to speak at international symposia and many appointments to national and international committees and boards. At ��������app he has held a string of key university administrative positions, ranging from Chairman of the Faculty of Medicine’s Radiation-Chemical Hazards Committee, between 1978 and 1980, to Interim Dean in 2003-2004.

Prior to accepting the top job in the ��������app Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Cook was the Faculty's Associate Dean of Research and Planning. Under his guidance, research funding grew to more than $45 million; research plans were strategically aligned with five key areas of investigative emphasis and infrastructure was significantly expanded. He also led a planning exercise that pinpointed required new and renovated educational space to meet anticipated future needs.

Dr. Cook has also served as Director of the Atlantic Research Centre at ��������app University, as leader of the Clinical Genetics Program and as an affiliated scientist at the IWK Health Centre. He was a Visiting Professor at Harvard University and at the University of British Columbia. At ��������app he continues to be a Professor of Pediatrics and an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Dr. Cook has truly distinguished himself in his area of expertise, bringing honour to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. He is a positive role model for current and future students and has made significant contributions in the field of medicine. He is most deserving of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2007.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Ormstown, Quebec, provided a good foundation of basic skills for what would become a very successful career for Alton McEwen in the food business. His sense of timing, the importance of making hay while the sun shines, the need to get a job done and get it done well, the nature of a business, the essence of good inter-personal relations and above all, the critical role of good management can likely all be traced back to that farming experience.

Alton brought those basic skills to NSAC with him and reinforced them with technical and scientific knowledge, graduating with a diploma in agriculture in 1964. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Food Management from Macdonald College of McGill University in 1966. With his bundle of knowledge and skills in hand, Alton then got on the fast track.

Upon graduation from McGill, Alton joined Ogilvie Flour Mills in Montreal as a Product Development Technician and later moved to Labatt's Food Service Division in 1968. Alton had a long and distinguished career with the Labatt Company, moving to Labatt's Consumer Products Division (Five Roses, Catelli, Habitant) in 1969 as Marketing Assistant, progressing through several positions to General Manager in 1980 all the while operating a hobby beef farming operation from 1974 - 1982.

In 1982, Alton moved from Montreal to Toronto as President of Laura Secord, a Labatt company which was later sold to Rowntree MacIntosh. He assumed the position of President Rowntree MacIntosh Canada (makers of Coffee Crisp, Kit Kat, After Eight, Black Magic, Laura Secord) in 1984.

In 1987 he joined Michael and Louis Bregman as Partner and President of “mmmarvellous mmmuffins”, and “michael's baguette” restaurants. He acquired Second Cup with the Bregmans and was named President in 1988. The company grew rapidly under his leadership expanding from 130 to 400 stores in Canada.

The company expanded into the US with the purchase of several companies there. Alton moved to California and assumed the position of Presidency and Chief Executive Officer of Second Cup's US subsidiaries, (Coffee Plantation, Gloria Jean's and Coffee People) which operated a combined 480 stores in the US. He then took took Gloria Jean's to international markets and it is now operating in 50 countries worldwide.

In 1999, the US companies were sold but Alton continued as executive consultant and director of Second Cup Canada. He assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer of Second Cup in 2000 and launched Second Cup in the Middle East. Second Cup was sold to Cara Operations in 2002 on the condition that Alton remain with the Company and manage it for two years. This Management Agreement was completed in 2004 and Alton now considers himself retired .

It appears, however that “retirement” for Alton is a partial concept. He has been appointed to Board of Director positions with Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee, the Vancouver based leader in chemical-free decaffeination and Distant Lands Coffee, which operates very high quality coffee farms in Costa Rica and a roasting plant in Texas. He is also on the Advisory Board of “Webloq”, a new Internet Security Company in California.

Arnold Rovers was born in Holland and raised in Tracadie, Nova Scotia, graduating with a diploma in agriculture from the NSAC in 1965. He later received his Bachelor of Science from McGill University in 1967 and his Masters of Science from the University of Connecticut in 1971.

Arnold has had a long and distinguished career with the province of Nova Scotia beginning in 1967 when he joined the Department of Agriculture and Marketing in the area of business management and policy development.

He was later appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board from 1978-1990 where he implemented client-based credit and other programs to 1600 Nova Scotia farmers. Arnold demonstrated administrative, negotiation and problem solving abilities while tripling the Board's loan portfolio to $150 million. He also achieved the lowest loan loss record in Canada for similar credit organizations, at lower than average administrative costs and with a very high degree of client satisfaction.

Arnold was Executive Director of the Agriculture Development Division for the province of Nova Scotia from 1990-1994. He managed the Department of Agriculture and Marketing’s Plant, Animal and Extension Branches, as well as the Farm Business Management and Policy Development Sections.

During Arnold’s time as Deputy Minister of the NS Department of Agriculture and Marketing , he achieved a highly regarded national profile for the industry and substantial satisfaction among clients for a service oriented and innovative organization.

Arnold was also Deputy Minister of the Department of Business and Consumer Services, where, during his tenure, he established a new Department by integrating nine divisions from seven departments into a new business organization. He also redesigned service delivery to improve access and outlined new technology solutions to provide the support systems necessary for new approaches to service delivery.

In 1997, Arnold was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Emergency Medical Care Inc., in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medavie Blue Cross where he has acquired and consolidated 50 individual ambulance companies into an integrated operation. Emergency Medical Inc, under Arnold’s direction, has achieved recognition as one of the highest performing ambulance services in North America.

Arnold is also involved in his community. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists, receiving its Distinguished Agrologist Award in 1993. Arnold received the Dedicated Service Award from the province of Nova Scotia in 1997 and is currently an Executive member of the Pier 21 Society where he and his family recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their emigration from Holland.

Since his graduation in 1965 Arnold has been a strong advocate for the university and the Department. He is an accomplished and experienced senior executive with demonstrated leadership, management and operations skills. This combined with his unique ability to bring diverse organizations and operating cultures into a cohesive business structure that focuses on strategic objectives and key results makes him a very deserving recipient of the NSAC Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2005.

John Harvie grew up in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia and graduated with a diploma in Agriculture from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1974. He later received his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Macdonald College in Montreal.

John first joined Co-op Atlantic in 1976, prior to accepting a key position with Scotsburn Dairies Co-operative in 1981. Between 1987 and 1988, John worked on a Canadian Co-operative Association international development project in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. He returned to Co-op Atlantic in 1995, as Vice President of Agriculture, the position he held until his appointment to Vice President of Consumers Products Merchandising and Distribution in 2001. He become CEO of Co-op in 2002.

Co-op Atlantic is an innovative and integrated agri-food business serving 135 member co-ops throughout Atlantic Canada and the Magdalen Islands, with consolidated sales in 2001 in excess of $511 million. Collectively, Co-op Atlantic and its member co-ops employ more than 5,000 Atlantic Canadians and serve more than 226,000 member-families.

John has over twenty seven years experience in the co-operative system, both regionally and internationally. His background, both in the co-operative movement, and as an innovative business leader, serves him well in his position as CEO.

John is active on many other fronts. He was involved in the Boy Scouts for 14 years as a Scout Leader. He is on the Editorial Advisory Board of the International Journal of Co-operative Management. He is currently a member of the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists and past president of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists.

He is a member of the Board of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and sits on the Board of United Grocers Inc. He is a past board member of Interprovincial Co-operative (IPCO).and past board member of CRF (Co-operative Research Farms).

He sits on the board of GIFT Atlantic (Grocery Industry Foundation…Together!), a foundation of all grocery retailers, manufacturers and brokers who have joined forces to co-ordinate the raising of funds to primarily support charities that focus on mentally, emotionally and physically-challenged children in the Atlantic region. Since their beginning, they have contributed millions of dollars to help children.

John sits on a committee of Turning Points, a Campaign for the MacNaughton Youth Parenting Center & Childcare Center in Moncton, N.B. This organization is committed to providing support and services to parents and youths in need. He is a member of the CEO Advisory Group for The Co-operators Insurance Co.

John is committed to utilizing the resources of the co-operative system to promote the production of local food stuffs, for example the Atlantic Tender Beef Classic, and encouraging the development of exclusive table stock potato varieties.

For his long time commitment to the Agricultural industry and his support of his local community, John Harvie is a worthy candidate for the NSAC Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A native of Lower Onslow, Nova Scotia, Jack Johnson graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1950 before going on to complete his studies at Macdonald College in 1952.

After graduation, Jack returned to Nova Scotia and joined the Livestock Services Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing as a Livestock Fieldman. He then joined CBC as a Farm and Fisheries Commentator in July 1955. In 1958 he was appointed Regional Supervisor CBC Farm and Fisheries Broadcasts for the Maritimes, a position he held until September 1966.

For eight years, as Regional supervisor with CBC, Jack was responsible for 14 daily radio broadcasts and two weekly television programs. Mr. Johnson performed as regular host of the very popular "Country Calendar" for five years and was instrumental in starting the television program "Fisherrman's Log" which was unique in service telecasting in the world..

During his 12 year career with CBC, Mr. Johnson was awarded the Canadian Farm Writer's TV-Award of Merit, was the first Maritimer and twice recipient of the CBC Cowhide Trophy honoring script writing and voicing in farm radio. Jack had the honor to be selected by FAO as the Canadian representative to a team of four radio broadcasters conducting a five-week seminar in Mexico city.

Jack left farm broadcasting in 1967 and spent the next 20 years serving as Director of the Soils and Crops Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. In this capacity he placed emphasis on improved crop production and the development of a pesticide residue laboratory to serve the four Atlantic provinces. As well, the Land Evaluation and Planning Service was developed to aid farmers in long-term crop production and soil management. He served as Director of the NS Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission for 20 years and as Director of the NS Grain Commission for ten. During this period major steps were accomplished in developing grain handling infrastructure within the province. Jack also served as Chair of the Atlantic Field Crops Committee and later the Atlantic Committee on Animal Production.

Jack became Chairman of the NS Dairy Commission in 1987 following a period of contention and disorder within the industry and was able to bring about harmony while overseeing several significant changes during that period including the institution of a province-wide quota exchange. Jack was also involved at the national level on the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee and formed part of a group of arbitrators for the All Milk Pool. He was also a member of the International Association of Milk Control Agencies.

Since his retirement in 1995 Jack continues to work as a consultant on an as-required basis for the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. He is an Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Seed Growers Association, receiving its Clarke-Newman Award in 1991. He is a former president of the NSIA and a Distinguished Life Member. Jack was president and is currently serving as Director of the Cobequid Salmon Association, Chair of the Official Board of the Clifton-Hilden Pastoral Charge, Elder of the Onslow United Church and was the recipient of the Community Service Award by the Clifton District Federation of Agriculture. Jack is also spearheading the efforts of the NSAC Class of 1950 in an effort to raise $50,000 for the College.

Jack and his wife Trudy reside in Lower Truro. Jack has five children, David, Eric, Bruce, Andrew and Susan all of whom live in the province.

Since graduation Jack has been a strong supporter of the NSAC and the Alumni Association. This combined with his dedication and contributions to the industry make him a very deserving recipient of the NSAC Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2002.

A native of Kings County, Nova Scotia, Byron Beeler graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1956 before going on to complete his studies at Macdonald College in 1958 with a major in Horticulture. He then went on to the University of Toronto where he earned an MSc. degree in Soils and Crops.

Byron joined the Ontario Government and worked in the Agriculture Division from 1958 to 1971. In 1971 Byron went to Stewart Seed Company where he became General Manager.

In 1991 Byron became the Head of Ciba-Geigy's Animal Health Division for Canada. With the merger of Ciba and Sandoz, two Swiss Companies, the new name of Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc., was given to the company. At Novartis, Byron became involved with Crop Protection, Chemicals and Public Affairs. He became President of the Animal Health Care Division of Novartis on January 1 1997 until August of this year when he retired.

Mr. Beeler has been involved with the organization and administration of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and served as President in 1992-93 and 1993-94. He is a past president of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists and a Past Chairman of the Animal Health Institute as well as several community organizations. It is little wonder that Byron was honored by the Ontario Institute of Agrologists with the award of "Distinguished Agrologist". He was also made a "Fellow" of the Agricultural Institute of Canada and given Life Membership in the Canadian Seed Growers Association. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Byron has a keen interest in how people learn which has lead him to instill a high level of life-long learning in the employees of Novartis Animal Health. He, himself, is a firm believer in life-long learning and continuous improvement and believes deeply in the power of a positive attitude. While at Novartis, Byron succeeded in increasing Animal Health Care Sales by over 750 per cent.

This past year Byron was asked to chair a special Finance Task Force for the NSAC Alumni Association and facilitated a planning session with the Board of Directors at a March 2000 retreat. As an NSAC alumnus, Byron has always been a strong motivational force not only behind the scenes in his persuasive, unobtrusive way but also in an overt way. He has worked diligently to preserve the integrity of the Class of 1956 and to channel efforts in relation to support of the College

Since his retirement as President of Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. in August 2001, Byron has taken on the post of consultant with Novartis Animal Health US.

Byron and his wife Katherine reside in Carlisle Ontario on the outskirts of Toronto. They have three daughters: Sharon, Carolyn and Janet and four grand daughters.

Since graduation in 1956 Byron Beeler has been a strong supporter of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the NSAC Alumni Association. This combined with his dedication and contributions to the industry make him a very deserving recipient of the NSAC Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2001.

Born in Norton, New Brunswick, Richard James "Dick" Huggard graduated from Belleisle Regional High School and worked on the home farm for one year before entering the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the fall of 1954. Following graduation from NSAC in 1956 he entered Macdonald College of McGill University and received his B.Sc (Agr.) in Animal Husbandry in 1958.

Dick Huggard joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing as a Livestock Fieldman working primarily with dairy and beef animals. Three significant developments in livestock improvement took place during this time: Performance testing of beef cattle was started in Nappan, Feeder sales were developed including a weekly livestock sale at Truro and Community Pastures were developed. For ten years Dick was also responsible for lecturing in Animal Science at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

He took a leave of absence to pursue post graduate studies in animal nutrition at the University of Illinois and obtained his M.Sc. degree in 1965. Returning to Nova Scotia, Dick became Provincial Livestock Superintendent as well as providing expertise in the field of animal nutrition.

He was appointed Director of the Livestock Services Branch in 1973. His leadership ability and interest in people as well as rural organizations made him a logical candidate for Director of the Extension Services Branch in 1975, a position which he held for the next eleven years.

Highlights of Dick's career during this period include: organizing the Provincial 4-H Leaders Council, the Provincial 4-H Show, Young Farmers Conference, Farm & Home Safety Committee, Women's Institutes developed independence and the first Provincial Farm Women's Conference was organized. Commodity groups in Nova Scotia, for the first time, hired persons trained in Home Economics and nutrition to promote their commodity interest. Federal-Provincial agreements were signed and Extension staff & Agricultural engineers figured prominently in the delivery of assistance programs at the farm level.

In 1986 Dick Huggard was appointed Chief Director of Operations for the Department working out of the Halifax Office. He later became Executive Director of Administration, responsible for staffing and budgets. In September 1991 he was appointed Deputy Minister, a position he held until his retirement in October 1994.

During his 36 years with the NSDAM, Dick Huggard has worked very closely with farm people, industry leaders, scientists, college students, federal and provincial government officials and many others to promote and develop the agricultural industry both in Nova Scotia and across Canada.

Active in many community and professional organizations Dick has served as President of the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and both the Eastern Branch and Canadian Societies of Animal Science. In 1978-79 he served as President of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, the second person from Nova Scotia to be elected to this position.

He is a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, an international honor society in agriculture and in 1991 was made a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, the highest recognition the Institute bestows on its members. He received the Erland Lee Award in appreciation of his contribution and support of the work of Women's Institutes in Canada, the Award of Merit from the Canadian Society of Animal Science and is an Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Society of Extension. He is an Honorary Member of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture Senate Club and in 1995 received the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologist Distinguished Agrologist award.

Dick Huggard has continued to be very active in his "post retirement years" whether it is with the Cobequid Salmon Association (of which he is a charter member), the Antique Farm Machinery display at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition or serving on the NSAC Alumni Committee planning the new Student Centre.

This year he will complete a four year term as Chairman of the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council. As an "Ambassador for Agriculture" he has few equals.

Since graduation in 1956 Dick Huggard has been a strong supporter of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. His expertise in livestock nutrition, leadership ability, dedication to the industry and significant contributions in the fields of extension and public administration, make him a very deserving recipient of the NSAC Distinguished Alumnus Award for 1999.

Born in Riversdale, Colchester Co. Nova Scotia, Dr. Wright travelled by train and walked from the train station to register at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Sept. 1935. He graduated in 1937 then took a position with the NS Dept. of Agriculture testing farmer s soil. He walked from farm to farm with a soil testing kit for a salary of $50.00 per month. This work was carried out in Cape Breton and Shelbourne Co. He saved enough that year to enable him to register in the B.Sc. (Agr.) program at Macdonald College of McGill University in the fall of 1938 having been inspired toward soil chemistry by Dr. Harlow his former boss at the NSAC .

Dr. Wrights s education was interrupted by service in World War II when he served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, became a flying instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan with the rank of Flight Commander; was awarded the King s Commission for his contribution and retired from active service with the rank of Squadron Leader. In 1945 he was appointed Assistant Provincial Chemist and lecturer in soil chemistry at the NSAC where he was held in high regard. During these years he was one of the Colleges first athletic coaches with teams in hockey, basketball and football.

In 1947 he attended Michigan State University where he received an MSc in 1948. In 1951 he joined the Federal Dept of Agriculture in Ottawa and completed his PhD at MSU in 1953 and became Head, Soil Genesis Section, Soils Research Institute. It was during these years that Dr. Wright and his colleagues became involved in basic and pioneer work on the podzolization of soils and the chemistry of organic matter in podzol soils. Their work contributed greatly to a clearer understanding of the chemical nature of soil organic matter and culminated in the publication of 24 scientific papers which gained international recognition.

In 1961, Dr. Wright was appointed Director of the Agriculture Canada Research Station in Kentville, NS. Under his leadership as Director for 18 years, the station became well known for new berry crop, tree fruit, vegetable and ornamental cultivar introductions, food technology techniques, broiler and layer poultry management practices, integrated pest management and through pesticide chemistry sought controls least harmful to the environment. Through persistent effort Dr. Wright was also able to implement the planning and construction of the long awaited new Agricultural Centre at Kentville. The new complex was considered the model for Federal Provincial cooperation and cohabitation. The design of having both departments under one roof has been followed at many sites throughout Canada.

In 1964 Dr. Wright was named a fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada. He is also a fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, the highest recognition the institute bestows upon it members. He was awarded an Honorary Associate of the NSAC and an honorary Dr. of Science from Acadia University.

As a distinguished Soil Scientist and administrator Dr. James Wright has demonstrated outstanding leadership and judgement in the direction of Agriculture Canada s research stations at Kentville and Nappan. Because of his wide breadth of knowledge of the agricultural industry in the Atlantic, in Canada and abroad his advice and good judgement has been sought by a diverse group of organizations and committees devoted to the development of agriculture in the region. His personal integrity and strong sense of responsibility to his profession and the region has earned him the upmost respect of all those with whom he has worked throughout his professional career.

Dr. Wright remained very active after his retirement in December 1978 . He served as the registrar of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrology and was instrumental in assisting with the installation of the Agrologist-in-training program and was an active participant in the general meetings of the Institute. He was Director of Bonnie Lee Farm for the mentally and physically challenged, president of the Chester Church Memorial Park skating and curling rinks. He had a forest management project at the Wright home farm in Riversdale where he planted over 122,000 Red Spruce and Pine.

Dr. Wright remained a strong supporter of the NSAC where his professional career began. His distinguished career, dedication to agriculture, great leadership qualities combined with a passion for helping others and his humble spirit make him a very deserving recipient of the NSAC Distinguished Alumnus Award for 1998.

Dr. McLaughlin is a native of Oromocto, New Brunswick. He is a graduate of NSAC, Class of 1966, and Macdonald College where he received his B.Sc. degree, majoring in Horticulture.

Dr. McLaughlin received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University in the Department of Vegetable Crops. He has had a distinguished career in agricultural research and development with Green Giant Canada and ELANCO, Division of Eli Lilly Canada Inc.

Dr. McLaughlin is perhaps most noted for the major role he played in the establishment of Saskatchewan as a world leader in the biotechnology industry. His vision and leadership led to Saskatoon becoming a centre of excellence in the biotech field. Prior to moving to Saskatoon to become president of Ag-West Biotech Inc. in 1989 and executive director of the International Centre for Agricultural Science and Technology (ICAST) in 1995, he spent most of his life in Eastern Canada while he earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Dr. McLaughlin was honoured recently as the Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year for 1996 - by the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA). In the citation it was indicated that Dr. McLaughlin had proven himself as an agricultural leader and innovator during his 30 years in the industry. The CAMA credits Dr. McLaughlin with developing Saskatoon as Canada s leading ag-biotech community and Centre for Excellence . Dr. McLaughlin took the concept of a new agricultural biotechnology development organization called Ag-West Biotech and in only six years created a mega-million dollar industry. Dr. McLaughlin was also instrumental in attracting 28 ag-biotech businesses, employing more than 400 professional staff with an annual investment in research estimated at $50 million.

In 1996, he was appointed Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. In addition, he has served on an extensive range of national boards and advisory committees involved with food and agricultural issues.

And he isn t finished yet. On July 1, Dr. McLaughlin will try to create a similar success story in Ontario where he will head the innovative Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Inc. This is a non-profit partnership centred on the University of Guelph s expertise in agricultural research. The organization is bringing together the research activities of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, four other Ontario universities, nine agricultural corporations, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Toronto Biotechnology Initiative and a dozen producers.

On behalf of all alumni, the NSAC Alumni Association is proud to offer congratulations to this most distinguished recipient of the Alumnus Award for 1997. Dr. McLaughlin received the award at the annual Awards Banquet of the Alumni Association, August 16, 1997.

Dr. McIsaac was born in Prince Edward Island, August 30, 1930. He received his diploma from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1950 and his DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1955.

Business and Professional Career:

Dr. McIsaac owned and operated Unity Veterinary Clinic, in Unity, Saskatchewan from 1955 to 1964. During those years, he also established a commercial beef farming operation and a mobile feed milling company. From 1971 to 1980, he owned and operated Northwest Veterinary Clinic, North Battleford, Sask., a mixed practice with veterinary supplies. This was the first large animal clinic in Saskatchewan - a concept which has now spread across the Prairies. From 1972 - 1980 he operated Marcliff Ventures, a herd management consulting company.

Public Life:

In 1964, Dr. McIsaac was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Saskatchewan and was reelected in 1967 and 1971. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture; Minister-in-Charge, Public Service Commission, Saskatchewan Transport Co. and the Saskatchewan Research Council; Minister of Education and Minister of Municipal Affairs.

In 1974, Dr. McIsaac was elected Member of Parliament, Government of Canada for the Battleford-Kindersley riding. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and the department of regional and economic expansion and chaired the committee on Regional and Economic Expansion. He also served as member of the House of Commons Standing Committees on Agriculture, Transport, Regional Economic Expansion and Management and Member Services. He also served as Chief Government Whip.

From 1981- 1991 he served as a member of the Canadian Dairy Commission. From 1991- 1996, he served as Chairman of the National Farm Products Marketing Council.

Other Activities:

Dr. McIsaac served as member of school boards in Saskatchewan; a member of the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association; active on the committee which led to the establishment of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine; member of a wide range of cattle and farm organizations and veterinary medical associations, provincial and national.

Dr. Buckland has risen to prominence in Canada and internationally for his leadership in academic administration and research. This prominence was realized through his achievements as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Vice-Principal (Macdonald Campus) of McGill University; through his leadership and collaborative work among his peers at the national level and through his significant work as a poultry science teacher and researcher prior to his educational administrative responsibilities.

Under Dr. Buckland's energetic and enthusiastic leadership, the Macdonald Campus has acquired new research facilities and the faculty has undergone important structural changes contributing to new orientations in teaching and research. Despite difficult financial times, Dr. Buckland spearheaded successful initiatives to create new state-of- the-art production and research facilities for cattle and swine as well as a new greenhouse and new laboratories for nutrition research. Under Dr. Buckland's determined guidance, departmental reorganizations and mergers gave rise to the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry and the Department of Natural Resource Science.

On the national scene, Dr. Buckland conceived and was the driving force in the creation of the Confederation of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and served as its founding President. On the international front, he has played an instrumental role in the development and administration of the Canada-Egypt-McGill Agricultural response program which has delivered some $25 million of CIDA support for agricultural development and transfer in Egypt. Dr. Buckland was also named a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in Ottawa this year.

The NSAC Alumni selected��Dr. Harold L. Chute, Class of '44, to be the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for 1994. In the citation, considerable detail was noted on his distinguished career as a teacher, scientist and administrator. His equally impressive record of service to the community was also noted. In 1976 the NSAC recognized Dr. Chute by naming him an Honourary Associate of the College.

He was raised in the community of Margaretsville on the north mountain of the Annapolis Valley. After receiving his DVM, he was appointed Animal Pathologist with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing and later accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Animal Pathology at the University of Maine.

He returned to studies in the early fifties, obtained a Masters in Veterinary Pathology from Ohio Sate University and later a Doctorate of Veterinary Science from the University of Toronto. At Maine, he moved rapidly through Assistant, Associate to Full Professor in 1955, a position he held for 22 years. For 11 of these years, Dr. Chute was also director of the Pullorum-Typhoid Testing Service.

In 1969 Harold moved into University Administration and was Director of Development for the University of Maine until 1977 when he took a leave of absence to develop Chute Chemical company of which he is President. Harold and his wife Marion have two daughters, one son and two grandchildren.

Courtney Gilliatt was born and raised in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. As a youth growing up on his fathers farm, he became proficient in climbing ladders to pick cherries, peaches and plums. This soon changed to climbing ladders of success to a distinguished military career.

He graduated from the NSAC in 1941 winning both the Governor-General's Medal and the Macdonald College Scholarship. He immediately enlisted in the RCAF serving as a flying instructor and Squadron Commander in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. His next posting was to operational flying with an RAF squadron in England and France where he won the Distinguished Flying Cross for is exploits.

After the war, he obtained his B.Sc.(Agr.) from McGill in 1947. He then returned to military service holding progressively responsible appointments and positions in a 35- year career as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

A few examples from General Gilliatt's very productive career will serve to illustrate the scope of his duties and responsibilities as well as the caliber of his achievements.

As a staff officer at Training Command Headquarters of both the RCAF and the USAF he was concerned with all aspects of scheduling, planning and programming of advanced single engine and jet training. He was Officer Commanding of the first Jet Advanced Flying School in the RCAF. In the area of Ground Training he had overall responsibility to meet the technical manpower needs to the RCAF.

As Director General Air Forces he was responsible for the preparation and co-ordination of all staff actions for policy decisions affecting the operational readiness of the air element of the Canadian Armed Forces.

He served as the Canadian representative at the preparatory planning conference in Panama for the Annual Conference of the Chiefs of Staffs of the Air Forces of the Americas.

While attached to the 4th Allied Tactical Air Force Headquarters at Ramstein Germany, General Gilliatt was responsible for leading multinational teams to evaluate the operational readiness of tactical fighter wings and missile units.

From 1972 to 1976 he served at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. In this post he was employed as the Secretary of Staff; was the senior Canadian officer and the only Canadian General office at SHAPE.

From 1967 to 1972 General Gilliatt was Honorary Aide-de-Camp to Governors- General Vanier and Michener.

Because of this interest and involvement in international programs, he took an M.A. degree in International Affairs at Carleton University in 1977. He retired with the rank of Brigadier General.

General Gilliatt and his wife Helen live in Ottawa a but spend their summers at his old home in Annapolis Royal. They have three children.

Dr. Kenneth Cox followed a very distinguished career in the Maritime agricultural industry. His early training was at the NSAC where he graduated with the Class of 1921. He continued his studies at the Ontario Agricultural College graduating in 1924 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. His undergraduate studies were in animal husbandry and he demonstrated a skill in livestock judging by competing on a team that won the Canadian competition in Toronto and placed second in competition at the Chicago International Fair. Dr. Cox individually placed fifth in a class of 110 competitors.

He next demonstrated his versatility by completing a graduate study program in agronomy and obtaining an M.Sc. degree from Macdonald College in 1929.

He followed his career in the field of Agronomy with a position as Assistant to the Superintendent at the Dominion Experimental Farm at Nappan and conducted research on cereals, forages, root crops and fertility. He was involved in basic research studies on club root resistance by the Chignecto Swede turnip and the role of boron in the control of brown heart disease in turnips.

In 1937, Dr. Cox accepted an appointment as Provincial Agronomist and Professor of Agronomy at NSAC. In 1941 he was in addition appointed as Vice-Principal of the College and Farm Director. He became Acting Principal in 1946 and was appointed sixth Principal in 1948, a position he held until his retirement in 1964.

He came to the Principal's position at a very challenging time, with the science building being completely destroyed by fire in1946. The College facilities were temporarily relocated to military camp facilities at Debert. At the same time, alarge influx of mature students was experienced as the end of the Second World War resulted in a number of ex-military personnel pursuing higher education. Many NSAC legends were created at the time of the "Debert Interlude" and Dr. Cox's administrative abilities were challenged at this time.

In 1953 the College moved back to the Truro campus with the completion of a new science building. A growth phase which brought the institution to its present day complement of facilities was started with the construction of the first residence building 1957.

Dr. Cox was always well respected in the professional agricultural community. He was a member of the Canadian Society of Technical Agriculturalists (forerunner of the present AIC) and served as president of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists. He was President of the Board of the Canadian Seed Growers Association. He was an Honourary member of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and an Honorary member of the Senate Club of that organization.

In 1964, Dr. Cox's contribution to agricultural education was recognized when McGill University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Law. In 1968 the Cox Institute of technology on the NSAC campus was named in his Honor.

Dr. Cox is fondly remembered by the many students who studied at the NSAC during his tenure as Principal. He had a clear vision of the role of the College, which he pursued with vigour. He had a keen appreciation of the needs of the agricultural industry. He was firm but fair in his dealings with students. He was widely respected by all who knew him. He is highly deserving of the recognition that would be bestowed by the granting of a Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Dr. MacRae is a former Principal of the NSAC who gave freely of himself throughout his professional career to further his vision of a strong, national, agricultural system. In recognition of his efforts he was elected a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada in 1988 and named to the Order of Canada in 1992.

Herbert MacRae was born in Middle River, Cape Breton, NS where he grew up on the family farm. Upon graduation from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, he taught high school in his home province. After five years of teaching, he returned to his real passion, the study of agriculture at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. He graduated at the top of his class, receiving a scholarship to attend Macdonald College where he earned his Bachelor of Science, Masters of Science and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Agricultural Chemistry from McGill University.

Following his Ph.D, Dr. MacRae worked two years with the Food and Drug Directorate, Health and Welfare Canada before returning to Macdonald College where he spent the next 12 years advancing a successful teaching career. In addition to his teaching, Dr. MacRae was also a productive scientist in the area of animal science, contributing articles to a variety of refereed journals.

In 1972, Dr. MacRae left his post as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Animal Science, Macdonald College and returned to Nova Scotia as Principal of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College where he remained for the next 17 years. During his tenure, the College doubled its student enrolment, became a degree granting institution in association with ��������app University and underwent $25 million in new construction.

While Principal of the NSAC, Dr. MacRae provided leadership to the agri-food industry in numerous capacities including as founding member and later Chairman of the Canadian Agricultural Research Council (CARC). He also served as President of the Association of Faculties of Agriculture in Canada, Chairman of the Atlantic Provinces Agricultural Services Coordinating Committee, Chairman of the Association of Deans of the Faculties of Agriculture in Canada and as Executive Director, Confederation of Canadian Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. MacRae was honored by McGill University with an Honorary Doctorate in 1987. Upon his retirement from the NSAC in 1989, the College library was named in his honour. He is active in many community organizations.

A third generation farmer, Sam successfully fills the role of operations manager at his family operation, Belliveau Orchard, located in Memramcook, NB. One of Atlantic Canada’s premier growers and suppliers of apples, Belliveau Orchards has been in the same family for over 80 years, the orchards now comprise over 70 000 apples trees. Working alongside his grandfather and father (both AC alumni) and other family members, Sam oversees all aspects of the company, including the managing of 45 year-round employees, close to 100 employees during harvest, making sure operations run smoothly.

During harvest season, Belliveau Orchard serves close to 9000 guests, each weekend, at their café. They sell farm-grown vegetables at their farm store, operate a u-pick and corn maze and produce sweet cider, hard cider and award-winning wine.

Traditionally a citation would be read for Sam. However, Ag More Than Ever recently featured Sam as part of their “Agvocate” campaign. It’s such a great video, we thought we would share that tonight instead.

As a successful young alumnus who is truly passionate about agriculture and has a bright future, it is most fitting that Sam Bourgeois be named the 2017 recipient of the ��������app Agricultural Campus’ Young Alumni Achievement award.����

The Young Alumni Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Faculty of Agriculture alumni aged 40 and younger. Alumni are recognized for outstanding achievement that may have earned them regional, national or international prominence through service to humanity in their profession or volunteer organizations, through community service or the advancement of knowledge and service to the Faculty of Agriculture.

The amount of work that David and Sara Simmons have put into their dairy farm, so early in their careers, is remarkable. They’ve started from the bottom and worked their way up. With dedication, patience and support from their family and friends, David and Sara have worked tirelessly in an upward battle to become what they are today – outstanding young farmers.��

David and Sara own Pure Holsteins Ltd., a dairy farm based in Little Rapids, Newfoundland. They milk 100 cows, have 85 heifers and lease 60 acres of pasture from Hammond Farm, owned by David’s family. Not only do they have dairy cows to generate a profit, they have cows for pleasure as well. They have remarkable genetics in their herd that allows them to show their cows.

“We take pride in the genetics of our herd,” David explains. “We’ve had animals place in the top 10 at the Royal and at the World Dairy Expo.”

Both David and Sara have a long history in agriculture. Growing up on a dairy farm in New Brunswick, Sara has been showing dairy cows since she could walk. Although David grew up on a poultry farm, he began showing dairy cows when he met Sara.

“We both knew we would be involved in farming,” David explains. “Sara knew she would be a dairy farmer since she was three years old. I thought I might be more involved in layers or broilers as my father was a poultry farmer but that changed when I met Sara.”

Together, David and Sara purchased all dairy equipment from Hammond Farm in October 2011. Since then, they have been working hard to add more livestock, purchase more quota and improve the productivity of their operation.

In increasing their productivity, Sara and David recently purchased two Lely A4 Robots- machines that will milk the cows automatically. The first of its kind in Newfoundland, the machines have stalls on the outside of them so when a cow is ready to be milked, she moves into the stall. An identification collar around her neck��keeps track of her milking schedule and her health information. If the robot detects the cow isn’t ready to be milked, it will encourage her to leave the stall and prepare for the next cow.

“Cows are all about schedule,” David explains. “They are used to being fed at the same time every day and are used to being milked at the same time every day. With the new milking system, the cows have had to adjust to being milked on their own time.”

When a cow is in the stall ready to be milked, an automated arm moves in cleaning and disinfecting her udder. The cow is fed grain while she is being milked. A 3D camera detects her teats and the inflations are attached to her udder. During the milking, the robot records information about the cow. It records her weight, temperature of the milk, ketone levels of the milk and somatic cell counts. This information is monitored every day and is a proactive measure to keeping the cows healthy. Each cow takes about five minutes to milk. Once she is milked, she moves out of the stall and the robot disinfects and prepares for the next cow to enter.

Although the milking process is completely automatic, David isn’t entirely off the hook. If something were to go wrong, the robot calls David on his cellphone to alert him of the problem. The robotic milker operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. David and Sara check the cows every morning and night to see if there are any that need to be put in the robot for milking.

“The robots have allowed us to have more free time,” Sara explains. “With the robots doing the milking, we don’t have to be up at 4:30 am to milk. We aren’t tied down as much.”

Pure Holsteins would not have been able to purchase the robots without some additional funding. Under the Growing Forward 2 Innovation Fund, they received $345,000 from the Federal and Provincial Governments. The company also received $40,000 from the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program.

It’s not just Sara and David who spend much of their time around the farm. At the age of four, their daughter Felicity loves helping out as much as she can on the farm.

“Felicity loves being involved with the daily chores and spending time with the cows,” David explains. “Farming with our family is important to us because we love it, it’s not just a job. You become a much closer family working together every day.”

Farming always has its challenges though. Sara explains that the farm wouldn’t be where it is today without having encountered and overcame the challenges they were faced with.

“Starting a business is challenging in itself,” Sara explains. “We had some growing pains, being young and inexperienced with the financial side, but they have only taught us life lessons. If something could break or go wrong we’ve seemed to have already experienced it so we are now ready for the future!”

For the Simmons’, the future looks bright.�� David and Sara are now ready to purchase more quota and breed long lasting cows.

Congratulations to these outstanding young farmers!

Alumnus Cedric MacLeod lives and breathes agriculture. Anyone who has worked with him can tell you that he pours his heart and soul into his 105-acre beef operation, Local Valley Beef, from which he provides local, sustainable and healthy beef to hundreds of New Brunswick residents each year. However, it is his commitment to the success and sustainability of the industry and his fellow farmers that truly sets him apart.

Although he wasn’t raised on a traditional farm, Cedric loved animals from an early age and opted to attend Nova Scotia Agricultural College to take pre-veterinary medicine after graduating from high school. However, his first-year introductory agriculture course set him on a completely different path. After attending a lecture on soil erosion, Cedric realized agronomy was where he needed to be. He set his sights on soil conservation and soil health.

Cedric went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Soil Science from the University of Manitoba, graduating in 2002. After a three and a half year stint in Ottawa with the Canadian Pork Council, Cedric returned home to New Brunswick, where he established both his farming operation, Local Valley Beef, and his agri-environmental consulting business, MacLeod Agronomics.

MacLeod Agronomics specializes in the analysis and integration of sustainable agricultural practices for the Canadian agricultural sector. Cedric works one-on-one with producers, focusing on greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy projects. His goal? To decrease the environmental footprint of Canadian agriculture, at a profit to its farmers.

Cedric very much practices what he preaches, using sustainable production methods and renewable technologies on his beef farm. A few years ago, Cedric installed a deep-well and solar powered pumping system for his cattle, allowing the animals to have unrestricted access to clean drinking water at all times. This watering system means cattle can be kept on pasture year-round, minimizing the need for large equipment, feed storage and energy-intensive fertilizer inputs.

Cedric works tirelessly to increase awareness and adoption of these beneficial management practices on Canadian farms, and particularly with young farmers. His passion, enthusiasm and generosity towards the farming community is unmatched.

As a farmer, agrologist and consultant, Cedric has a unique ability to connect with and engage fellow farmers, bringing enhanced insight and demonstrable relevance to the farming community – showing farmers how they can overcome the vast challenges presented by an ever-changing and increasingly complex sector.

Cedric's commitment to young farmers and their professional and personal development is a building block to their success. As a founding member and now general manager of the New Brunswick Young Farmers’ Forum, his enthusiasm for the young farmer program in both his own province and Canada-wide is a major contribution to the industry. In encouraging Canada’s young farmers to continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow their capacity to manage for success, Cedric in turn has sought to meet with and learn from the industry’s finest experts in Canada and across the globe, channeling their teachings to the farming community in New Brunswick, and Canada as a whole.

On top of his full-time consulting business, his beef farm and his involvement with the Young Farmers’ Forum, Cedric finds time to act as the executive director of the Canadian Forage & Grasslands Association, chair of the New Brunswick Cattle Producers, vice chair of the Centreville Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Carleton County Soil and Crop Improvement Association and treasurer of the New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

Cedric’s work has contributed significantly towards progressing Canada’s agricultural industry in farm business management practices and specifically, in ensuring a future for Canada’s young farmers. Ambitious and visionary, Cedric is extremely passionate about the success of the industry and sees pathways to get there. To have accomplished so much at such a young age, Cedric MacLeod is an extremely deserving recipient of the Faculty of Agriculture’s Young Alumni Achievement Award for 2015.

As a young boy, he spent hours outside playing with toy tractors and trucks. Being told to go inside for supper or bedtime was pure punishment. Even as he grew older, he wanted to be involved with farm activities – from spring planting, growing or irrigating the crops, fall harvest or helping in the barn with animals, he was there. He learned at an early age to operate equipment and always great concentration to the task at hand. Not much has changed for young alumnus, Philip Keddy. Although the tractors and trucks are no longer toys. Since graduating from NSAC in 2006, Philip has been working alongside his parents, Charles and Doris, managing their family operation in the Annapolis Valley. Although the farm was built on strawberries and raspberries, Philip saw an opportunity and accepted the risks and challenges. Shortly after returning home from NSAC, he converted ¼ acre of family farm land into a test site for sweet potatoes for a local agricultural research facility. Seven years later, he has grown the sweet potato test site into one of the few commercial sweet potato farms in Atlantic Canada. Now spanning 28 acres, the sweet potatoes have taken off. Of course, it hasn’t always been blue skies and sunshine. Sweet potatoes are labor-intensive and need superior care in Atlantic Canada. Since the plants are so fragile, special attention to the temperature is essential before they are hand-planted in the spring and then hand-harvested in the fall, as well as during storage. The past few years have had their high points and low points, full of trial and error, including the loss of a full crop due to improper storage. Philip has maintained a positive outlook and persevered through all of this. Philip has travelled to North Carolina and to Ontario to study ways to improve growing, harvesting and storing sweet potatoes. He continually looks for ways to minimize the labourintensive side of the business and a new climate-controlled warehouse has corrected the storage problem. Described as a hardworking family man who’s enthusiastic about farming and passionate about promoting farming to other young farmers, Philips hopes to one day take over the family operation. Philip has served on the board of directors for the Young Farmers Forum of Nova Scotia for four years. For the past two, he’s led the board as chairman. He also serves on the board of Farm Management Canada. Philip has graduated from the Total Excellence in Agricultural Management (CTEAM) program offered through the George Morris Center, Canada’s leading economic agri-food research centre. The four-module program, is for Canada’s top farmers. It addresses issues unique to farmers, with regard to finance, succession, the environment and public policy. Although his dedication to farming fills his days, he’s quick to make time for his wife, Katelyn and two young sons, who he hopes will also become stewards of the land. As a successful young alumnus who is truly passionate about agriculture and has a bright future, it is most fitting that Philip Keddy be named the 2014 recipient of the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Young Alumni Achievement award.

Audrie-Jo McConkey is no stranger to the idiom ‘practice what you preach’. She does just that every single day. Audrie-Jo knows that youth are the future and believes that it is our responsibility to ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. That’s why she spends her free time volunteering for various organizations and initiatives that focus on young children and youth. Audrie-Jo has been involved in supervising over 15 different high school science fair projects and has been a judge for regional and national science fairs and 4-H fisheries projects. She has also been involved with the Junior Achievement Program, visiting Grade 9 classrooms to educate students on the significance of math programs, as well as a similar program called Females in the Workforce, which introduces science-based careers to young girls. She strives to expose youth to ��������app’s Faculty of Agriculture as much as possible, by hosting high school classes in the Aquaculture facility and participating in Ag Zone and Open House. As well, AudrieJo provides volunteer opportunities to undergraduate students seeking experience in the field. Audrie-Jo loves kids. She admits providing educational opportunities for youth is one of the most rewarding experiences she’s ever had. As if all of that weren’t enough, Audrie-Jo sits on the board of the Faculty’s Alumni Association and is a member of the Fishermen & Scientists Research Society. She’s been a very active member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists, chairing a number of committees. She is involved with LaLeche League Canada, providing support for nursing mothers and actively fundraises for the IWK, Canadian Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. One of Audrie-Jo’s newest commitments is with the Rotary Club of Truro. Joining just this past year, she has already signed-up as deputy chair of the International Service Committee. Audrie-Jo has been described as, “a great asset to the club”. Among all of these volunteer activities, Audrie-Jo maintains a strong dedication to her day job on campus - shellfish technician and lab instructor, in the Plant and Animal Sciences Department. Despite being involved in such a variety and quantity of activities, Audrie-Jo adamantly gives every task her undivided attention. She contributes to the best of her ability and always follows-through with her responsibilities. By the end of the day you would think Audrie-Jo would head home and put her feet up. She may deserve it, but that’s far from reality. After work Audrie-Jo goes home for her most important and rewarding job, being a mother. Along with husband Mike (Class of ’02), Audrie-Jo has three young boys – twins, Theo and Sam, as well as Reid. It is most fitting that Audrie-Jo McConkey be named the 2013 recipient of the ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Young Alumni Achievement award.

Mary was raised in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. She graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Diploma in Technology in 2003 and a Bachelor of Technology in 2005. As a student, Mary was involved in every aspect of student life. She showed a real love of theatre, which led to her involvement in the AC Theatre society. She was never on stage but was involved in every other aspect of the performance including stage management, costume design, hair and makeup. Kent Loughead, director of the group remembered Mary as a backseat director, someone who would be watching the rehearsals, and would jump up and shout out ideas. They were always good ideas! She set a great example as a student, by serving as vice president on the Student Union Executive then president for three years. Many staff still remember Mary as someone who was really actively involved in campus life. After graduating Mary worked for Agrapoint, the Ships Company Theatre and the Town of Parrsboro planning department. In her role as a community development coordinator her work was instrumental in leading to a Communities in Bloom four-star rating for Parrsboro. Mary is employed by the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy, Canada’s lead test centre for tidal energy technology. Mary manages FORCE's public facility, which offers educational exhibits and tours, interactive displays, a small theatre, and a direct view of the ocean test site in the Minas Passage, where 14 billion tonnes of water flow past at speeds up to five metres per second. Mary lives in her hometown of Parrsboro with her partner Rob Fancy. Friends and colleagues describe Mary as dedicated to everything that she does and a person who always gives 110%. Mary is an exceptionally active volunteer in her local community both at an organizational and hands on level. Mary is a director of Ship’s Company Theatre, a member of the local trails committee and is active in the local Historical Society. Her many activities also include being a regular volunteer for the Eco-Kids project which encourages children to play outdoors after school. She runs in a number of charitable events to raise money for the Age of Sale Centre and other organizations. Jeff McCallum, a friend and former student who was unable to attend today passed on this message. “I am so happy to see that Mary has been selected to receive the Young Alumni Achievement award. I am very proud of Mary and all that she did for the school while she was attending the AC and all that she has always contributed to her community at home. She really is an amazing woman and someone that I look up to for inspiration.” 2 It is because of the active role that Mary plays in the community and her contribution to the Agricultural campus that she is a most deserving recipient of ��������app Faculty of Agriculture’s Young Alumni Achievement Award for 2012.��

Growing up on the family potato farm in Freetown, P.E.I. and helping out when possible, it seems like a natural choice for Mark to have furthered his education at NSAC. Mark’s studies earned him a degree in Agricultural Business and certificates in Organic Agriculture Specialization and Agriculture Technology.��It was while studying at NSAC that Mark met, who would eventually become his future business partner and wife, Sally Wilson.

Farm lifestyle was also in Sally’s blood. Raised on a beef and sheep farm in N.B., Sally attended Mount Allison University, before later switching gears and receiving her Plant Science Diploma at NSAC.

After graduating, the young P.E.I. couple jumped in as fourth-generation farmers and have been making a big impact ever since. Mark and Sally work the 500-plus-acre Bernard family farm, Barnyard Organics, which they have converted to 100 per cent certified organic.�� ��For their efforts, Mark and Sally were recipients of the 2010 Organic Farmers of the Year award from P.E.I. Certified Organic Producers Co-operative.

The organic certification was a gradual process, taking three years. Mark and Sally found themselves accessing what they studied at NSAC on a daily basis.�� One of the biggest challenges for this couple was to completely shift their way of thinking from how things were done before, to what works in the present.

Barnyard Organics is one of the largest organic farms on the Island. Not to mention, it is operated by one of the Island’s youngest farming couples. They focus on soybeans, field peas and grains, such as wheat, barley and oats. Sally’s livestock background has also contributed to the mixture as Barnyard Organics produces organic chicken and lamb, which is sold directly to consumers, as are their organic eggs, at the farm gate.

Mark and Sally continue to build and expand their farm, paying particular attention to their ecological footprint and the quality of their products.

On the livestock side of things, Mark and Sally take great pride in being able to produce all of the feed for their chickens and sheep, confident in the superiority of their grains and hay and knowing exactly where everything comes from.

The infrastructure at Barnyard Organics is also an asset to the organic industry in the Maritimes. With a soybean roaster, which is dedicated to roasting strictly organic and non-GMO beans, organic soybeans from around the region are roasted for organic livestock feed.

Between all of their accomplishments and hard work on the farm, Mark and Sally are also assets to their community. Mark has been closely involved with the P.E.I. Certified Organic Producers Co-op, as well as the Atlantic Certified Organic Co-op and he sits on the Environmental Advisory Council for P.E.I. Sally sits on the boards for Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network and the National Farmers Union. She is also the music director for the Sunday school program at Summerside Presbyterian Church.

Mark and Sally are proud to be building a farm for generations to come and their children, Lucy, Wilson and Thayne, are already showing a love of agriculture. Creating a future in sustainable farming, for their children, is perhaps their proudest accomplishment of all.
��
Mark and Sally are real leaders and ambassadors for agriculture in the Maritimes and they are making a big difference. It is most fitting that Mark and Sally Bernard be named the 2011 recipients of NSAC’s Young Alumni Achievement award.

In merely 11 years since graduating from NSAC, Patricia Bishop, an eighth‐generation Annapolis Valley farmer, has become an incredibly respected and well-known agricultural entrepreneur in our province.��

Patricia was raised on a farm in Greenwich, NS. After graduating from NSAC in 1999 with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Environmental Studies, she continued her studies at Acadia University, earning a degree in education.

Following a hiatus from her roots, Patricia eventually turned back to where she started. In November, 2007, she and husband, Josh Oulton, purchased 23-acre TapRoot Farms.

Drawn to organic agriculture, Patricia and Josh quickly learned that natural produce would not sell itself. In 2009 they launched a newly adapted business model – Community Shared Agriculture (CSA). Customers register as “members” to receive regular food baskets of organic produce.

Patricia and Josh’s immediate success was realized when they more than doubled their expected CSA membership.

They now deliver baskets of fresh TapRoot Farms organic produce to over 200 families, every week of the year, in communities from the Valley to the Halifax Regional Municipality. As many families are also added in during the summer months.

Patricia’s farm concept doesn’t stop at producing organic food. TapRoot Farms also offers a “farm stay”. Guests can experience Patricia and her family’s passion by staying at the on-site guest house while learning about agriculture first-hand.

In addition to her own farm, Patricia is also active with the family operation, Noggins Corner Farm.

Patricia’s work in recent years to��promote locally‐grown foods and preserve agricultural lands has built province‐wide awareness of some of the most important issues��affecting the��future of farming: food security, land use, and the viability of local farms. ����

Patricia and Josh have set a great example of how to capture new opportunities while maintaining the grassroots values of rural life. Along with their three children, they have successfully found a way to provide healthy, delicious food for their family and community while loving what they do.

Patricia is past president of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture and served on the Nova Scotia Agricultural Land Review Committee. Last fall, she was a guest speaker at the Nova Scotia Food Summit and she has just been invited, by the Minister of State for Agriculture, to the inaugural meeting of the National Future Farmers Network in Ottawa.

For their accomplishments and leadership in the agricultural industry, Patricia and Josh were named Atlantic Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2010 and received the 2010 Spirit Nova Scotia Local Foods Award.

Patricia Bishop is what NSAC would call a “real alumnus”. Patricia is a most deserving recipient of NSAC’s Young Alumni Achievement Award for 2010.

Born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, Oliver Browning knew at an early age what his career would entail. Right after high school, Oliver attended NSAC just as both his parents, David and Rayona, had done. There, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began his engineering education, graduating in 1998 with his Degree Diploma in Engineering. He then went on to complete his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from the University of New Brunswick in 2001.�� In 2008, Oliver completed a Masters Certificate in Project Management at Saint Mary’s University. ��

At the very beginning of his career, Oliver gained practical hands -on experience in engineering practice while working at his father’s consulting firm, D A Browning & Associates Inc. ��He also worked as a structural engineer and project manager for RKO Steel Limited and subsequently for Eastern Canadian Structures Limited. Oliver has since settled in as an Engineering Associate at Horner Associates (ADI) Limited in Truro.
Oliver has excelled early in his engineering career by tackling some ambitious projects. These include his recent work as the structural engineer and construction contract manager for the state of the art $4.5-million Clare Health Centre in Meteghan, Nova Scotia and a 24,000 square-foot, $2.2-million operations facility for the Public Works Department for the Town of Truro.�� He was also deeply involved this past year with the Truro Skate Park, providing engineering for the reinforced concrete used to build the heart-stopping vertical ramps used by the skateboarders.
��Throughout Oliver’s career, his engineering and project management work has included a plethora of buildings, civil works, municipal works, structural designs, and design-build projects all over the Atlantic Provinces. ��As an internationally certified Project Management Professional and a Professional Engineer, his skills, abilities and experience make him an asset to any design team.
Despite the demanding career path Oliver has taken, he still finds time to play an active role in his home community of Truro.�� He dedicates time to fundraising events for the Canadian Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the United Way of Colchester County.�� He also has volunteered time with the Truro and Area Minor Hockey Association and the Central Colchester Soccer Association in coaching capacities.�� Oliver is also the Colchester County representative for Engineers Nova Scotia where he serves as liaison between the society and the professional engineers in Colchester County, as well as NSAC’s engineering students.�� Oliver also organizes activities and events for the local grade nine students during National Engineering Week and takes time to give talks to NSAC students about the engineering profession and potential career opportunities after graduation.��

In 2008, Oliver was awarded the Nova Scotia Young Engineer of the Year, by Engineers Nova Scotia for his significant engineering accomplishments. ��It is because of Oliver’s outstanding success already in his career, the active role he plays in his community and his ongoing connection to NSAC's engineering students that he is also very deserving of NSAC’s Young Alumni Achievement Award for 2009.

Sarah Turner grew up in New Ross, Nova Scotia. Agriculture has always been a part of her life: from the early years at home with her father and uncle on the family's small beef and Christmas tree farm to her participation in the 4-H program while growing up.

Sarah graduated from Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) majoring in Animal Sciences. Coming from a small rural area, Sarah found the close NSAC community a welcoming environment for learning and growth. It was the energy and excitement which she discovered in the Swine Unit that inspired Sarah to choose a career in the pork industry, and where her dedication to the survival and sustainability of that industry was inspired.

After graduating, Sarah left the Maritimes to pursue her passion for the pork industry and for several years she held the position as Manager of Alberta Quality Pork, where she coordinated the on-farm food safety and on-farm animal welfare programs. In 2006, Sarah joined Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development as coordinator of the Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN). In two short years, Sarah was promoted to the role of acting head of the Livestock Health for Market Access Section and now has permanently assumed the position of section head for the Epidemiology, Toxicology and Surveillance Support Section within the Food Safety Division.

AVSN is a ground breaking approach to the early detection of animal health events and the mechanisms for response and recovery of the industry in the event of an animal health incident. AVSN is being developed by a talented and forward thinking group of veterinarians specializing in epidemiology, diagnostic pathology, toxicology and theriogenology. As section head, Sarah galvanizes and leads this high-performance team of professionals and is a key part of this cutting-edge initiative. There are over 1.5 million Alberta cattle currently under surveillance by AVSN which represents approximately 20-30 per cent of the Alberta cattle industry. Dedicated to assisting the agricultural industries in building sustainable futures, the AVSN program has received international acclaim as a model of health surveillance as well as being considered for adoption in other Canadian provinces.

“Intellectually razor sharp with unparalleled people skills” and “An unabated pleasure to work with” is how Sarah’s AVSN co-workers describe her. In her short career Sarah has made many accomplishments. She worked to bridge the gap between producers and primary production and the standards that they were expected to meet in their daily production of food. In her position with Alberta Quality Pork she supported pork producers in understanding the on-farm food safety and animal care standards they were expected to meet. In her current roll with Alberta Agriculture the AVSN program supports the competitive advantage of the primary production section in Alberta, especially for export commodities and will enable that province to maintain consumer confidence in its domestic markets.

In her brief and stellar career, Sarah has demonstrated strong support of the primary production sector and of the broader agricultural community. It is because of Sarah's success in her career that she has been chosen to receive this year’s Young Alumnus Achievement Award.

Presented by Alumni Association Chair, Arnold Hagen November 14, 2008.

In 2000, Trevor Dillman graduated with honours from Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He then went on to earn a M.Sc.(Agr.) with a major in Agricultural Mechanization and minor in Agricultural Business in 2002.

Trevor began his career in 1999 as a part-time farm assistant with Charlie Hill & Son. He then went on to accept a position as an Area Service Manager with New Holland Canada, Atlantic Canada and Central Ontario.

Now, for the past two years, Trevor has been working with New Holland Canada as the Atlantic Canada Sales Manager.

As a Nova Scotia Professional Agrologist and a Certified Nutrient Management Planner for Atlantic Canada, his skills would make him an asset to any team.

Excelling in his career, Trevor received the New Holland Sales Circle of Excellence Award in both 2004 and 2006. Despite his important and demanding position, the Middle Musquodoboit native still finds the time to play an active role in the community and do what he enjoys most.

With a passion for woodsmen, it is no surprise that Trevor was named NSAC’s Male Athlete of the year in 2002 and has continued to contribute to the team’s success. Trevor spent six years as a top competitor (water boil specialist) and because of his natural leadership abilities and his interest in people and their successes, Trevor captained the A team for five of the six years. He then went on to devote his time as a coach-first as an assistant and then as co-coach in 2006-07. Because of work commitments and travel, Trevor was not able to continue to coach, but assists the sport as VP Programs for the Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association.

In addition to Trevor’s dedication to the Woodsmen team, he continues to compete as does his wife Sherry, in Timbersports at a professional level in Eastern Canada and Eastern USA.

Trevor also manages to find the time to volunteer for various local and provincial 4-H events and competitions and is a Middle Musquodoboit Natural Resource Exhibition committee member.

It is because of Trevor’s success in his career and the active role he plays in the community that he has been chosen to receive this year’s Young Alumnus Achievement award.

What began as a reigniting of Steve's passion for agriculture during his time at NSAC is now a partnership with his father on the family's seventh generation farm in Freetown, Prince Edward Island. It's a partnership he's grateful for, offering him opportunities he never could have realized alone.

This renewed interest in farming sidelined Steve's plans for Vet College. In his last year at NSAC he bought 20 beef feeders. When he sold them he bought a kilogram and a half of milk quota and started his dairy career

Steve's initial goals were to double the farm's herd and construct a new dairy facility. In December 2001, these goals were fulfilled with a 400 per cent increase in quota and the construction of a new dairy facility. Today, Steve and his wife Jessica are focussed on producing a high quality product, improving genetics, increasing cow comfort and completing projects stemming from their environmental farm plan.

The BSE crisis has turned their focus inward as they cull their herd and purchase new breeding stock. And their efforts are turning measurable results, increasing the herd's genetic potential more in the past year than in the previous decade. Herd performance improvements are continuing with one of Steve's current projects. He's using more lights in the barn to see if there's a relationship between daylong photoperiod lighting and stimulating milk production.

Steve is also very involved in his community. He is Director of the Kensington Co-op, a member of the Milk Marketing Board and the National Farmers Union, District Representative for the Kensington Dairy Club and coaches or plays for several sports teams. In addition he is active with the Central Holstein Club and Director of the P.E.I. Young Farmers. He is currently working towards his non-commercial pilot's license.

Steve and his wife Jessica were the 2005 winners of the Atlantic Outstanding Young Farmers program. They will represent the region at Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers national competition in November.

For his early accomplishments in the business of farming, for being a leader and innovator in agriculture and for his exemplary community service, Steve Reeves is the ideal recipient for the inaugural Young Alumnus Achievement award.