Louis Bourgeois
New Brunswick

Louis Bourgeois contributed greatly to the development of the New Brunswick apple industry.

A native of Pré-d’en-Haut, Louis was born in 1928 and always had agriculture at heart. At early age, he was working on the family mixed vegetable and livestock farm. At age 16, he undertook an agricultural term study at Collège Saint-Joseph, after which, he returned to the family farm.

At age 28, he took employment on the 40 acres Verger Belliveau Orchard, owned by Les Pères Sainte-Croix. The following years contributed significantly to his agronomic apprenticeship and his spiritual growth. An agricultural accident in 1965, left Louis partially incapacitated in both legs. This unfortunate incident brought him to make the decision to purchase the Verger Belliveau Orchard from the religious congregation. His tenacity and confidence in the apple industry, has led him to keep investing in his farm even during difficult times.

Over the years, 60 more acres were added to the orchard. The farm also expanded by adding warehouses, control atmospheres storages and a computerized grading facility. Apple juice, cider, sparkling juice and different fruit wine are being produced and marketed on site. Verger Belliveau Orchard currently employs over 20 people and is a distribution centre which markets apple in the Maritimes year round with a modernized fleet of trucks. Other farming and commercial ventures have also been added to the operation.

Louis and his wife Mary have raised four children: Patricia, Robert, Jean-Louis, and Linda. The two sons are currently partners with their father in the business.

Louis was always a strong believer in promoting innovation, such as tile drainage and irrigation to increase the apple production. Provincial and federal scientists enjoyed trying the latest techniques and promising apple varieties on this farm, and it was always with open arms that Louis would share these new ideas with other apple growers.

Verger Belliveau Orchard is a landmark in Pré-d’en-Haut. It has been the site of many apple blossom festivals in the spring and its fall U-Pick is a popular family event. It has hosted national and international visiting delegations. Winner of a regional rural beautification contest, this farm also won the golden apple award in 1981, given by the NB Fruit growers Association. It was named farm of the year by la Fédération d’Agriculture du Nouveau-Brunswick in 1993.

Louis is well known and respected in the community and the agricultural industry. He helped create strong organisations in both sectors. He was a founding member and director of the NB Apple Marketing Board, Chairman of NB Fruit Growers Association and Chairman of the NB Crop Insurance Commission. He was also very active in the Moncton Farmers Market. Louis is presently a member of the Fédération d’Agriculture du N.-B. and the NB Agricultural Producers of NB. He has served on the local service district council and was President of the Pré-d’en-Haut Club d’Age d’Or. He is a strong supporter of his church and local charities.

Nominated by the NB Fruit Growers Association for his commitment to the apple industry, Louis Bourgeois well deserves being inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.