Historical Developments

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) is the third oldest centre for agricultural education and research in Canada. The College’s roots include the School of Agriculture established in 1885 at the Provincial Normal School, the Provincial Farm established in 1889 at Bible Hill, and the School of Horticulture established in 1894 at Wolfville. These three agencies were later merged to form a new College of Agriculture which officially opened on February 14, 1905 with the farm in Bible Hill and a new main building serving as its headquarters. Melville Cumming was the first Principal. The two names, College of Agriculture and Nova Scotia Agricultural College were used interchangeably during the early years.

The first government funded agricultural research in the Maritimes was conducted by Professor H. Smith at the School of Agriculture in Truro in 1885. In the 1880s we see the first extension activities in the region when Prof. Smith lectured to farm groups in many parts of the province and when graduates were hired to give talks each winter. As well, extension and demonstration activities were a regular part of the School of Horticulture.

The Early Years

The role of the new College was to help the farmers and to prepare new farmers. The words "agriculture" and "farming" conveyed similar meanings. From the beginning, graduates were prepared for farming or for further study leading to a degree in agriculture. Students regularly transferred to Macdonald College at McGill University or to the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, to complete the degree programs.These were usually short courses, demonstrations and research were all part of the College offerings.

Many of the early graduates who underwent further studies, entered public services and were among the early leader of agricultural services for Canada. The first women graduates were among the first such graduates in Canada. Students from the other Maritime provinces were always accepted into NSAC on the same basis as in-province students.

As in several parts of Canada, programs were greatly expanded when Federal funds were made available to encourage agricultural education beginning in 1913. New and expanded campus facilities were developed and programs to encourage Home Economics education, Womens’ Institutes, rural science and youth training. New demonstration buildings at exhibition sites throughout the Province were all part of the response to take agricultural education closer to the people. Nova Scotia was among the first areas in Canada to have clubs for rural youth on agricultural themes. The demand from governments for more food production during World War I further enhanced agricultural education and demonstration activities.

In the 1920s, increased demands on the College field staff led to the formation of the New Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and later the Department of Agriculture with full time staff for agricultural extension and service functions.

During the 1920s and 1930s, NSAC became an important avenue for improving the genetic base of farm livestock by bringing in high quality horses, cattle, pigs and sheep.

With the outbreak of World War II, student enrollment was reduced, however following the War, class sizes expanded in response to the large number of veterans seeking agricultural courses. All with qualifications were accepted and a local hotel was rented to serve as the College’s first residence.

Post World War II Changes

A disastrous fire in 1946 destroyed the science building and thus the College was challenged to deal with large student numbers and no science facilities. A temporary campus at the military hospital facilities in Debert was organized and that location served as the home base for all instruction until the fall of 1953. During that period most NSAC students lived in the military buildings at Debert.

It was the construction of a new science building, now known as Harlow Institute, and a central heating plant that enabled the College to move its programs back to the Bible Hill campus. Enrollment continued to grow and in 1959, the first residence on campus was opened.

Agriculture was changing with the movement off the farm of many activities such as preparing livestock feeds, developing fertilizers, creating equipment and many farm related services. Food processing and other marketing functions were expanding. The scope of College programs broadened. During the 1960s, a substantial expansion occurred for a more comprehensive vocational and technical education for the broader scope of agriculture. Additional residences, three new academic buildings, new barns, and campus services were developed at this time.

The Atlantic role of NSAC for vocational and technical education was formalized by the four Atlantic Provinces in the 1960s, and later through the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, the degree program was officially recognized as a Maritime program.

The growth in student numbers in the 1970s included many women who began enrolling in large numbers. Women’s sports teams were formed and new student services were offered. It was during the 1970s that the Athletic Centre was added as well as a new dining hall. The old auditorium/gymnasium in Cumming Hall was redeveloped into a theatre known as Alumni Theatre.

Degree Granting Adds Further Development

New legislation passed by the Nova Scotia government in 1980, allowed NSAC to either grant a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or negotiate a suitable degree granting arrangement with another institution. An academic agreement for degree granting purposes was developed with Dalhousie University.

Faculty could now look forward with anticipation to bringing the final two years of the science degree in agriculture home to NSAC. Committees began to plan for curriculum, staffing needs and space requirements.

The students entering the first year of the B.Sc.(Agr.) course in September 1981, were registered into a full four-year program which had four areas of specialization: Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Plant Protection and Plant Science.

New buildings added during the 1980s included the Library, an extension to Cox Institute and the Animal Science building. An increase in faculty and expanded research activities followed. The College also began responding to opportunities for more international development programs.

Since the early 1990s graduate studies have developed with students regularly registered in programs supervised by NSAC faculty. The M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees are granted by Dalhousie University.

Aquaculture was introduced as part of the degree program. This required a further expansion of facilities for the unique lab requirements for both instruction and related research.

The delivery of publicly funded research and development services have undergone considerable change throughout all of Canada in recent years. Numerous public and private partnerships have evolved which include NSAC as a key player. Several Chairs of Research have been funded and added to the NSAC staff. AgiTECH Park has been developed at the former campus of the Nova Scotia Youth Training Centre. Striking the best mix of educational programs and research activities has become a challenge as the College matches its offerings to the unique purposes for each source of funds.

Adapting to change has been a frequent characteristic of NSAC as faculty aspire to conquer adversity and better serve farmers, rural development groups, farm related firms and agricultural services. Although developed primarily for people in the Atlantic Provinces, the College has been shaped through its service to become an important Canadian and international resource.

The complete biographies of the Principals of the NSAC are also available.

This summary is based on historical research conducted by Dale Ells, Dean Emeritus. For a more complete history of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, one is advised to read Shaped Through Service, a 279 page illustrated history of the College. Copies are available at the NSAC Bookstore or from the author.