NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to Stephanie Rogers (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 3:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

Feb 23, 2004 --- Week 167

Care Encouraged during Snow Clearing.

As everyone knows, NSAC did not escape the snow storm of the century last Thursday and Friday as classes were cancelled for those two days. The Farm, Physical Plant, Safety and Security, Grounds Maintenance staff and the folks at Chartwells have worked tremendously hard to keep things going and get things back to normal. Operations have resumed today, however there is still a lot of snow around and your patience is requested. Be extra careful walking and driving around campus until the big drifts can be pushed back, roads widened and all the slippery spots sanded. It will take a few more days to get it all done.

News from the Road

It’s been an exciting week for recruitment, and between fires, floods and snowstorms, things have been anything but boring! Brian and Craig spent snowed-in weeks in New Brunswick and the Annapolis Valley respectfully, while Jenna worked on campus.

University Day is only 4 days away! We have over 120 students attending, bringing a total of more than 260 people to campus. As such, we really need to receive the Program Tour and EXPO forms. With only a few days to go before the event we absolutely need to know what everyone’s plans and needs are so that we plan accordingly. I’d ask that you email, fax or drop off those forms to us ASAP.

Of all the registered students, 49 of them have never been to NSAC before, so more than ever this is a great chance for us to show off our programs, services and campus. Especially considering that many of these students may not have made their decision on a university yet. We have quite a few students attending from other post-secondary institutions, and adult education programs.

As always, we’d like to invite the campus community (staff, faculty and students) to join us for lunch on University Day. We’d like our guests to get to know everyone on campus, so when you arrive for lunch, we’d ask you to sit with one of our visiting students and their family. Let’s really spread out and mingle, and show off what a friendly campus community we have! Anyone who would like to join us for lunch I’d ask to RSVP to Jenna at jtingley@nsac.ns.ca by Wednesday Feb. 25th.

4-H Intermediates Hold Conference

A big thank you is extended to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College for hosting the NS 4-H Intermediate Conference members. 67 Intermediate 4-H members and 8 chaperones from across Nova Scotia arrived at the campus on an early Sunday morning, and were greeted by Brian Crouse. The 4-H members had an opportunity to feel the inside of a cow, learn about ultra-sound use, extract cow DNA, and handle some fur pelts. Dr. Hicks addressed the group, as well as a panel of NSAC students with 4-H connections. Thank you to Dr. Hicks, Brian Crouse, Judy Grant, Gerry Russell, Merridy Rankin, Margie Hartling, Jean Lynds, Gary Wallace, Julie MacDonald, Amy Higgins, David Brennan, Lauren Johnson, Sara Lowe, Jillian Cudmore, Mila MacLean and Beth Trueman. From the enthusiasm shown by the 4-H members, NSAC will have many future recruits! Thank you for a terrific session!

Elizabeth Crouse, P. Ag.
Manager, 4-H and Rural Organizations

Varsity Sports Results

Nova Scotia Young Farmers Win Prestigious Atlantic Award

Farming couple Jack Thomson (NSAC class of 1991) and Rhonda MacDougall are Atlantic Canada’s outstanding young farmers for 2004.

The young farm couple won the Atlantic region competition of the prestigious Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer Program at an event in Charlottetown last Friday, February 13th. They own West River Holsteins, a dairy operation just outside Antigonish.

Thomson and MacDougall were chosen by a panel of judges from a group of five finalists. The couple will now represent the region at the national competition this November in Winnipeg.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program was founded in 1979 by the Canadian Junior Chamber/Jaycees. Eligible nominees must be farm operators between the ages of 18 and 39 who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from their farms. Each year, one farming couple is selected from each of the program's seven Regional Recognition Events to represent their respective region at the National Awards Program.

The Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program is sponsored nationally by John Deere, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, CIBC and Bayer CropScience. For more information on the program, please visit: http://www.oyfcanada.com/