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.

Varsity Results

# 67 Corinna Phillips and Sara Butt blocking against USA

The phone campaign is just one of several initiatives planed to raise money for the Endowment Fund. Over the next three years, NSAC hopes to increase the percentage of scholarship funding generated from the endowment to 30 per cent and greatly improve our ranking compared to other Universities.

The call centre will operate from 5:15pm until 9:15 pm, Sunday through Thursday until all 5000 calls have been made. Any questions or for more information please contact Robyn Edmonds at
redmonds@nsac.ns.ca

International Development Week at NSAC
Each year the Canadian International Development Agency and its partners celebrate the contribution
Canadians make to international development work during the first week of February. NSAC events started with an early morning presentation by Dr. Nancy Crowe, when over 100 students and staff learned about the importance of food quality and chemistry in an international perspective. Dr. Crowe illustrated her points with examples from her recent trip to Central America. Dr.Crowe is the NSAC leader on a project with HMJ Consulting of Halifax examining the feasability of setting up a food processing centre in Honduras.

Past and current projects of NSAC and opportunities for students to take on international study and work opportunities were displayed in Cox Institute by NSAC Intenational's Krista Lake and Natasha Power.

Highlighting the NSAC project on Sustainable Food Security in The Gambia, funded by CIDA through the Canadian College Partnership Program, Chartwells included African cuisine at a dinner enjoyed by all. Dr. Sam Asiedu is the faculty leader for this project. The theme "Agriculture and the Environment” was carried through in presentations made by Mr. Foday Malang of The Gambia College, on "Negative Impact of Farming Systems on the Environment in The Gambia”, and NSAC’s Dr. Raj Lada who presented “Nude Planet”, a synopsis of current global environment issues, with emphasis on Asia. Upcoming internship positions at The Gambia College were presented, followed by a lively discussion of international environmental issues. International issues and opportunities are clearly of great interest to the NSAC community!

The Instructional Development Committee Presents:
A Brown Bag Session with Graham Pearson
The POD (Network for Professional Organization and Development) is the American equivalent of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. It is a network of both professional faculty developers and faculty members who have an interest in the quality of instruction and learning on university campuses. For only the second time in its history, the annual meeting of POD was held outside the United States this past November when over 700 members converged on Montreal. There were three days of inspiring plenary sessions and interesting individual presentations dealing with a myriad of ideas from "Are our students "clients", or aren't they?", to the successful use of humour to stimulate the classroom environment. You are invited to a highly informal "brown bag" session in Cox 254 at 12:00 noon on Feb.10 when Graham will give you some idea of what it was like to attend the 2004 POD Network and what lessons for our classrooms can be gleaned from it. Be sure to bring your brown bag.

NSAC Teaching Awards
In 1994, the NSAC Faculty Council instituted awards for recognition of excellence in teaching. Two awardsmay be given annually, one to a faculty member, and one to a teaching technician. The awards are to be given in recognition of contributions in teaching at NSAC over a number of years.

These awards are an important opportunity for members of the NSAC community to publicly support and recognize the excellent teachers found here. It is a way for both students and colleagues to say “thanks”
to a representative few of the many who have been an inspiration and a help. We hope that you will consider nominating a deserving candidate.

Activities that may be recognized by this award can include (but are not limited to):

• classroom and laboratory instruction
• supervision of students in research
• curriculum development
• production of instructional materials
• development of innovative teaching methods
• research on teaching
• contributions to student development outside the classroom

Nominees for a NSAC Teaching Award may be full-time, part-time, or sessional faculty members or
teaching technicians. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni may sponsor nominations and self-sponsored nominations are permitted.

If you would like to honour a favourite instructor in this way please e-mail your nomination to Laurel
MacIntosh (lmacintosh@nsac.ns.ca). Please have your nomination(s) in by Feb. 18, 2005.

Each nominator is requested to write one letter/email of support and to ask two other persons (students,
staff, faculty or alumni) who agree with the nomination to write similar letters/emails. The Instructional Development Committee will then coordinate the remainder of the nomination process. The awards will be presented during May 2005 Convocation.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Fitzgerald (afitzgerald@nsac.ns.ca 893-6614) or Laurel
MacIntosh (lmacintosh@nsac.ns.ca) 893-6658).

Web Site Redesign Reflects New Changes in Library
The MacRae Library, in anticipation of the updated NSAC web site, has updated its own site to better reflect progress and present use of the Library facility and resources. The previous web pages, designed many years ago, no longer reflected the Library. A basic principle of the upgrade is that most frequently used information should (whenever possible) be within three clicks for the user. The main changes you will
notice:

• the list of databases is now an annotated list, with descriptions for users who may not be familiar with new versions of the main agricultural databases.
• a list of the software resources available in the Information Commons.
• links from the top page for frequently asked questions.

Thanks go to Cathy MacDonald, Reference Librarian, for the new design and content. We hope that it will prove to be more user-friendly and more informative for users.

On-Farm Energy Production
Mr. Bruce Bowman of AAFC, stationed in London, Ontario, has accepted an invitation from NSAC
to present a seminar on "ON FARM ENERGY PRODUCTION" on MONDAY FEBRUARY 21 at 3:00 pm in COX INSTITUTE, ROOM 257. Please plan to attend.

International Academic Mobility Workshop
Topics & Agenda Include:

International experience on your resume
Study abroad: semester, individual courses
Work abroad: internships, working holidays, & more
Options for NSAC students

Date: February 10, 2005
Location: NSAC International
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Email: klake@nsac.ns.ca

20th Annual NSAC Rick Russell Woodsmen Competition- February 12, 2005

The 20th Annual NSAC Rick Russell Woodsmen Competition is approaching quickly. We would like to take the opportunity to invite you to the competition which will take place at the MacMillan Show Centre in Truro, NS. Events will begin at 8:00 am and end at approximately 5:00 pm. Admission is only $2.00 and this is a great event for the entire family. The theme of the competition is “20 Years and Stihl Burning Strong!” If you have missed previous competitions, this is DEFINITELY one you will want to get to.

The competition will feature the following events:
Team Events Single Events Double Events
Swede Saw Axe throw Underhand chop
Cross Cut Pole Climb Quarter Split
Pulp Throw Chainsaw Standing Block Chop
Log Decking Single Buck Water Boil
Dry Land Log Burling
Super Swede
Obstacle Course

The Stihl Timbersports Challenge will occur over the lunch hour and will prove to be exciting. This is the last of a three competition installment. The two winners will be announced after this final round of competition in stock saw, underhand buck and single saw. The winners of this challenge will head to Augusta, New Jersey to compete in the Stihl Timbersports series professional competition in August.

Throughout the day there will be draws for door prizes and one large draw for a chainsaw in support of the woodsmen team. There will also be a silent auction for tractor baskets with all sorts of John Deere, Case iH and Ag-Co products to be bid upon. Bring your chequebooks and support the NSAC Judging Team. There is a canteen available on site so you don’t even have to leave for lunch!

We look forward to seeing you on the 12th of February to support the NSAC Woodsmen Team and
remember to dress warmly and sit and take in a wonderful day of competition.
-
Amy Higgins
co-organizer of NSAC Rick Russell Woodsmen Competition
nsacrrwc@nsac.ns.ca
alhiggins@nsac.ns.ca
(902)895-3963 office (902)895-5687- home

SEMINAR - Dr. Jana Pickova
Dr. Pickova is a candidate for the Tier II position in Aquaculture Nutrition

Topic: Key Factors for Success in Marine Aquaculture

Tuesday, February 8th11:00 am Haley 112

NSAC Centennial 2005
NSAC's 100th anniversary is fast approaching and events have already begun. The official opening of the Colchester Historical Society Museum display was held Friday, February 4th. The display is a wonderful depiction of the NSAC over the past 100 years and is a definite must see.

Photo Caption: (L to R) Dr. Les Haley, Dr. Bill Jenkins, Dr. Philip Hicks and Dr. Garth Coffin, pause in front of a model of Cumming Hall during the official opening of the Museum display featuring artifacts of the NSAC. The exhibit continues at the museum, 29 Young Street, Truro, until March 25.

Centennial Radio Campaign Beginning February 1, NSAC began a series of awareness advertising on our local radio station. Three different ads will air on both Cat Country and Big Dog throughout the month of February. Please let us know what you think (srogers@nsac.ns.ca) An on-air interview will take air on the morning of the 14th as well.

Centennial News Articles As you are probably aware, there have been a series of articles appearing in the Saturday edition of the Truro Daily News. These articles began in January and will continue once a week leading up to February 14th, 2005. There will then be one a month for the remainder of the year.

Founding Day, February 14th, 2005 marks the official anniversary of NSAC and we will be unveiling a special commemorative postage stamp in conjunction with Canada Post. The campus community is invited to take part in this most prestigious occasion. Please RSVP to Theresa Blois tblois@nsac.ns.ca

NSAC Agricola Collection The NSAC Agricola Collection will be made available for public viewing on February 14th from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.in the MacRae Library.

Anniversary Party The campus community is invited to our official anniversary party on the afternoon of February 14th 3:00 p.m. in the upper foyer of Cumming Hall. There will be a cash bar, anniversary cake and other finger foods. A highlight of the event will be the world premiere of our Centennial song, written and performed by singer/songwriter Barry Stagg along with members of the NSAC Chorale. Winners of the Centennial Heritage Contest will also be announced.

NSAC Chorale In celebration of the 100 year anniversary of NSAC, the NSAC Chorale is presenting 'An Evening of Musical Theatre' on Tuesday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Alumni Theatre. Tickets are $5 adults, $3 students/seniors. There is free admission for AC students with I.D. All tickets sold at the door. Contact Kent Loughead at 893-6660 (kloughead@nsac.ns.ca) for further information."

Thank You to NSAC

Photo Caption: Colchester County 4-H members Courtney Clark (left) and Caitlyn Congdon
(right) are helped by 3rd year NSAC Animal Science student Danielle Collins (back). The members prepared slides and viewed amoebae and other protozoans.

This past weekend 70 4-H members from across Nova Scotia headquartered at Agri-TECH Park for a
“Living Life Large” intermediate age leadership conference. This group from rural communities across
Nova Scotia spent Saturday morning touring and participating in hands-on learning activities at the
NSAC. A big thank you to the following for all their efforts in creating enthusiasm for the work of the
university in these inquiring minds. To those who presented and prepared labs:

Steven Crozier, Adam Scanlon, Danelee Broaders, Danelle Collings, Sherry Matheson, Lana Hussain,
Debbie Mellish, Anna Fitzgerald, Scott Veitch and Arthur Haskins.

To those 4-H alumni currently attending NSAC who talked about “Life at AC” Jason VanDerLinden, Julie MacDonald, Colin Hirtel, Mila McLean and Charlotte Reid

And special thanks to the Recruitment Office for their efforts in organizing, Monica Sani and Brian Crouse. We also wish to thank the Athletic Center, NSAC Security and Sharon and staff of Agri-TECH Park for helping us make a successful weekend happen.

With Thanks,
Liz Crouse,
4-H and Rural Organizations

News from the Road
Plans are progressing for University Day 2005, and registrations are coming in steadily from prospective
students. We’d like to remind everyone that this event is less than three weeks away, are we’re still looking
for lots of help from students, staff and faculty. So if you’d like to have your program, service or club
represented during this recruitment event please contact us at jtingley@nsac.ns.ca If you are a student and looking to get involved in this fun event please let us know....we’ll need lots of great ambassadors for the day!

This past Sunday the 4-H Intermediate Conference was held at NSAC. Dozens of 13-15 year old participants took part in Sunday morning activities organized and offered by Anna Fitzgerald, Steve Crozier, Debbie Mellish, Danielle Collins, Danielle Broaders, Adam Scanlan, Scott Veitch, Arthur Haskins, Lana Hosain, and Sherry Matheson. Thanks also to NSAC students who offered a panel discussion to students: Jason Van der Linden, Julie MacDonald, Colin Hirtle, Mila MacLean, and Charlotte Reid.

Student Recruitment would like to acknowledge the generosity of Dr. Raj Lada, who will be making several recruitment stops during his visit to India. In coordination with the Canadian Education Centres
representatives in India, Dr. Lada will be representing NSAC by visiting with students and high schoolrepresentatives in many areas of India.

Research News
This week we recognize the publications of Dr. Valtcho Jeliazkov (Zheljazkov), Cropping Systems Research Professor, Department of Plant and Animal Science. Dr. Jeliazkov's research interests include soil-plant relationships and cropping systems research; speciation bioavailability and mobility of essential and trace elements in plant-soil system; organic farming; aromatic and medicinal plants; phytoremediation; in vitro pollen, cell cytoskeleton and ultrastructural studies. Dr. Jelizakov is responsible for the Cropping Systems Research Program (CSRP).

Special note: Dr. Jeliazkov was successful in obtaining funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation to purchase a Scanning Electron Microscope. The NSAC Scanning Electron microscopy unit
consists of a Hitachi S-3000N Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled to Oxford INCA Energy 350 EDX (Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectrometry) system. The unit is located in Cox Room 14. As a university resource, the SEM/EDX systems are available to all faculty and graduate students at NSAC. Please contact the Dr. Valtcho Jeliazkov, Academic Coordinator, for more information on the capabilities of the SEM, booking times and user fees. For a complete list of Refereed journals please visit http://nsac.ca/rgs/research/articles/2005/jeliazkov.asp

AACUSS Winter Workshop
Atlantic Association of College University Student Services Winter Workshop held at NSAC

The NSAC Student Services Department recently hosted the AACUSS Winter Workshop on campus.The workshop was titled Re -Treat Yourself and had a wellness theme. The workshop opened with a Spa evening in Cumming Hall. All participants were treated with Spa baskets that contained the necessary items to give themselves a pedicure. As participants drank healthy smoothies they were led by Jackie Eisses ( Ashton Spa ) on how to do a pedicure. Friday sessions were opened with a very dynamic and energetic keynote address from Tyler Hayden. The workshop continued with several concurrent sessions of a more educational nature hroughout the day. Overall the event was a tremendous success with extremely positive feedback from participant evaluations. It was a great opportunity to showcase the campus to other Student Services departments. Good Work NSAC Student Services.

Photo Caption: Jackie Eisses from Ashton's Spa talks about Self-Care during the AACUSS Winter Workshop.