NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to Stephanie Rogers (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 2:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

NSAC Flags at Half-Mast

The NSAC flags have been lowered to half-mast in memory of NSAC retired professor Gerald Townsend,83 of Valley, Colchester Co., who passed away January 19, 2006, in Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro.

Born in Head of Amherst, he was the son of the late Rev. Howard and Matilda (Reick) Townsend. Gerald "Gerry" attended the NSAC and Macdonald College. He graduated as an Agricultural Engineer and returned to teach for many years at NSAC.

A memorial service was held Sunday, January 22. Interment will be held in the spring in Crossroads Cemetery, Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valley United Church or Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation.

Fridays at 3
Dr. Rob Gordon
Canada Research Chair in Agricultural Resource Management

“Treatment Wetlands in Nova Scotia:
Progress, Pitfalls & Opportunities”

27th January 2006 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Haley Institute, Room 110

All are welcome to attend!
This seminar is sponsored by the NSAC Seminar Committee

Meet the Agrologists Evening

This event is a great opportunity to practice your networking skills and find out about career possibilities in agriculture. It serves as a useful career education event. You will hear from agrologists about the variety of positions open to you following study in the B.Sc.(Agr.) or M.Sc. program.

Guest speaker will be Heather-Anne Grant, P.Ag., who is currently Senior Business Advisor for Agriculture and Small Business with CIBC, Truro, NS.

Heather-Anne is a 1998 B.Sc.(Agr.) Agricultural Economics graduate from NSAC and completed a Masters in Agricultural Economics at the University of Alberta in 2001. She worked as the Special Projects Coordinator at AgraPoint for four and a half years before moving to CIBC. The title of her presentation will be ‘Being an Agrologist... Being All You Can Be.’

To indicate attendance for the “Meet the Agrologists ” event, students are asked to RSVP by noon on Tuesday January 24 to Sandra Murphy, NSAC Career Services & Awards Office, Dairy Bldg., OR Phone 893-7900 OR Email smurphy@nsac.ca

Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Conference

FEBRUARY 2 - 3, 2006
Howard Johnson Hotel Convention Centre

The Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Committee is pleased to present "Nova Scotia Agriculture....Let’s Talk So People Will Listen".

It will include dynamic speakers who will provide hands on training to more effectively get our message out. Topics to be included are:
ÿ Why buy local?
ÿ Innovative ways to talk about Agriculture.
ÿ Youth Form - Why choose Agriculture?
ÿ Delivering a positive message in times of crisis.

Speakers include:

Frank Robinson - He has been a professor at the University of Alberta for almost 20 years. He is the Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics. For the past 10 years he has taught "Animal Science 200". He created an inquiry-based program "There’s a Heifer in Your Tank - Science Answers to Questions you didn’t know you had about Animal Agriculture", which has been offered in three university classes and one elementary school class.

Charlie MacDonald - Through the use of life stories, humor and high energy Charlie delivers a common sense approach to change while maintaining a balance in your life. His presentations have been referred to as being entertaining, instructive, timely, practical, informative, refreshing and motivational.

Chris Fesko, an award winning educator, farmer, videographer and producer, is the creator of the On The Farm video series. Winner of four Telly Awards, three Parent's Choice awards and many, many more distinguished awards, Chris Fesko Enterprises have earned a place on the front line of education and entertainment of all ages. She graduated from Cortland State College with an emphasis in Science Education. Her Masters Education degree is also in science.

It is critical that we are prepared to speak up for agriculture and stand proud of our local industry. If you are interested in attending this conference please contact Ruth Grant at (902) 893-6598

Exciting new social marketing campaign

In late February, Nova Scotia Health Promotion will launch a new social marketing campaign targeting parents of young children aged 0-12 years of age. The campaign will focus on four main issues: healthy eating, physical activity, injury prevention (car seats/booster seats) and tobacco (second-hand smoke in the home).

Prior to the launch, you are invited to attend a campaign preview. This preview meeting will introduce the campaign including an overview of the new creative, campaign website, marketing plans and opportunities for inclusion of local information and programs.

The dates and locations of the meetings are:

Halifax: Feb 14, 1-3 p.m.
Bethune Bldg., 1278 Tower Road, Halifax
(located on the VG site of the QEII)

Truro: Feb 17, 1-3 p.m.
Colchester Regional Hospital Auditorium, 207 Willow Street, Truro

Port Hawkesbury: Feb 21, 1-3 p.m.
Shannon Studio, Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, 606 Reeves Street, Port
Hawkesbury

Cornwallis Park: Feb 22, 1-3 p.m.
Kespuwick Hall (672 Broadway Avenue), Cornwallis Park


Lynn McKenna
Secretary - Communications, Chronic Disease Prevention,
and Healthy Eating

Tel: (902) 424-3696
Fax: (902) 424-3135
mckennla@gov.ns.ca

CASE Internship Opportunity

Shelly Ann Peters and Latoya Palmer, two Bachelor of Technology Degree Students in Environmental Management and Protection at CASE in Jamaica are seeking an internship opportunity at the NSAC this summer. The students are hoping to gain valuable work experience during an eight week internship this June and July. If you are interested or able to help out in this regard, please contact Dr. Nancy Pitts at (902) 893-6621 for more information.

Dr. Raj Lada appointed Honourary Scientist

Dr. Raj Lada has been appointed Honourary Scientist of the Rural Development Administration (RDA) Republic of Korea, for three years beginning January 1, 2006.

RDA is a central government organization responsible for the agricultural research and extension in Korea. Located about 40 km from the capital city of Seoul, it has eight constituent research organizations and one educational institute. Encompassing most areas of agricultural research, RDA has more than 1,140 research scientists working at the headquarters and the constituent institutes.

Honourary scientists are carefully nominated on the basis of leadership and excellence in the area of specialty of each nominee and are often invited as a resource person to RDA for scientific consultation and developing national research priorities. Congratulations Raj!

Varsity Results

EastLink Broadcasts from NSAC

EastLink Sports is partnering with NSAC to bring ACAA Volleyball to the region through live broadcasts over the next two months. Starting with the STU at NSAC women's and men's volleyball matches on January 22 at 11 am and 1 pm , EastLink will continue with University of Kings College at NSAC on February 15 at 7 and 9 pm.

The highlight of the season will be the 2006 Mazda CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championships at NSAC , March 10 - 12 2006. EastLink Sports will be airing live , the Bronze and Gold Medal Matches on March 12. The region and the country can see the best women's college volleyball players in action at NSAC.

This live broadcast will be available across the country , via satellite.