Bruce M. Trenholm

(1919 — 1986)

Nova Scotia

Bruce Trenholm is no stranger to agriculture. He has been involved in the industry since youth and his influence and experience through the years have been substantial.

Born on the family farm in Grand Pre, Kings County, he graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and MacDonald College, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1947. Between his years at College he served for five years in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Upon graduating from MacDonald College he served as the Agricultural Representative in Yarmouth and then taught Animal Husbandry at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College for three years.

In 1952 he took over the family farm going on to establish the well known Brulo herd. He was a regular participant at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition, Atlantic Winter Fair and Maritime Winter Fair, often times receiving the Premier Breeder or Premier Exhibitor honours. For several years the Brulo herd had the highest BCA for over-20 herds in Nova Scotia. In 1984 he was awarded the Master Breeder Shield from the Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada which is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a Holstein breeder. In 1958 Bruce was elected the National Director for Nova Scotia to the Holstein- Friesian Association of Canada and continued his service for the next 12 years, becoming the Association President in 1970.

In 1971 the Brulo herd was dispersed and Bruce went to Barbados where he worked on a Canadian International Development Dairy Project for two years.

In 1974 he again joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing serving as Agricultural Representative in Pictou, retiring from that position in 1984.

A lifetime supporter of 4-H and the community, Bruce Trenholm has served as a member of municipal council and school board, elder of the United Church in Wolfville he has been active in the Federation of Agriculture, milk producers’ organizations and as a Director of the Atlantic Winter Fair. For several years he was the Chairman of the Holstein Sire Selection Committee of the Nova Scotia Animal Breeders’ Co-operative. He was also a member of the Royal Commission inquiring into the Nova Scotia milk industry and a member of the Dairy Farmers of Canada Committee on an integrated milk testing plan.

Bruce presently chairs the Planning Committee for the 1986 Holstein- Friesian Association of Canada National Conference.

His contributions to agriculture have been many and varied and are worthy of recognition in the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.