Gordon Barss Kinsman

Nova Scotia

Gordon Barss Kinsman was born in Lakeville, Kings County, and attended schools in Kentville. He is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Macdonald College of McGill University, and the University of New Hampshire.

Gordon Kinsman joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in 1949 as the first Extension Specialist for Berry Crops. Mr. Kinsman was instrumental in development of the first certified strawberry plant program later adopted by other provinces in Canada. Mr. Kinsman developed and introduced the first wild blueberry extension program and encouraged the introduction of new cultural wild blueberry methods.

In 1962 Mr. Kinsman was appointed Director of Horticulture and Biology Services and further advanced the berry crop industry in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Kinsman was appointed Director of the Marketing and Economics Branch in 1978 and served in this position until his retirement in 1986. During this time, he directed the change in emphasis from service oriented to developmental marketing.

Since retiring, Mr. Kinsman has been active as an agricultural consultant Gordon Kinsman continues to be a dedicated industry and community leader.

He is a life member of the Colchester Historical Society and chairman of the Nova Scotia Federation of Museums, Heritage and Historical Societies. In 1978 he was awarded the Cultural Life Award for Nova Scotia. In 1994, he was awarded the President's Award from the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage for outstanding work in the preservation of Nova Scotian heritage. He served as chairman of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Heritage Property. He is a charter member of the Westmount Park Garden Club. The N.S. Garden Club Association awarded him a medal of appreciation. The N.S. Federation of Agriculture awarded him a plaque for his outstanding agricultural achievements and support He served as chairman of the Truro Planning Advisory Committee and was appointed the first chairman of the Joint Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Truro, Town of Stewiacke and County of Colchester. He is a charter member of the N.S. Institute of Agrologists and in 1992 was awarded a distinguished life member award. He is a member of the VON Truro Branch and of the Golden K Truro club. The North American Blueberry Council presented him, in 1990, with the first Calyx Award, the only Canadian honoured. He has written nine agricultural historical papers and studies as well as publishing five genealogies.

Gordon and his wife Virginia live in Truro and have four sons and eight grandchildren. Nominated by Berries Nova Scotia, Gordon Kinsman's many contributions and leadership to industry merit recognition in the Agricultural Hall of Fame.