Donald Garth Anderson

Prince Edward Island

Donald Garth Anderson was born on October 10, 1927 in St. Peter's, Prince Edward Island on a family farm first settled by his great grandfather some 200 years ago. Don received his early education at St. Peter's Elementary, St. Peter's High School, and he attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown for two years. He continued his education for one year at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro and returned to the family farm, which over the years has grown to a 500-acre mixed farming operation in dairy and potatoes.

During his career, Don has been involved in many agricultural and community activities. In 1965, he became a Director of the P.E.I. Potato Marketing Board and was appointed manager in 1969, a position he held until 1988. Other positions held have been: former member of the Consultative Committee; Canadian Dairy Commission; member of the Board of Governors for the Fresh for Flavour Foundation of Canada; Chairman of the Potato Committee, Canadian Horticultural Council; and a member of the Minister's Advisory Council of the P.E.I. Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce.

Over the years, Don has approached his career and community activities with great energy and enthusiasm. Under the guidance of the producers and dealers, who constitute the P.E.I. Potato Marketing Board, Don has shown excellent leadership and enthusiastic promotion capabilities to the potato industry of P.E.I. He has been, and continues to be, a very capable ambassador for the potato industry - provincially, nationally and internationally.

The excellent facilities and the technological advances in the propagation and production of disease-free seed which have been recently introduced to the Elite Seed Potato Farm at Fox Island are shining examples of Don's vision and commitment to progress in the potato industry. In August, 1981, he was appointed a Director of the Potato Association of America - the first Islander to act in this capacity.

Don has also been very active in community affairs; as a member of St. Peter's United Church, the school board of his own unit for the past 20 hears, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown. He was appointed Director of the P.E.I. Rural Beautification Society in 1966 and has been on the Advisory Board of this society since that time, and served as President of the society for many years.

Don has contributed to the interest of the agricultural industry by his continuous encouragement and activity of greater liaison and involvement with both the federal and provincial governments to facilitate communication and cooperation towards mutual benefit of the industry and the public servants involved in research, production and inspection, and marketing.

Donald Garth Anderson is a faithful Islander and a loyal Canadian who takes pride in his province and the great country of Canada. He has a great faith in the land and the institution of the farm and the rural community. Nominated by the PEI Potato Marketing Board, Donald Anderson is worthy of the honour of induction into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.