Executive Director for New Agricultural Institute

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Executive Director for New Agricultural Institute

Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, today joined Peter Clarke, chair of the board for the Agricultural Development Institute, in announcing the institute's first executive director.

Dale Kelly will assume duties as executive director on Jan. 1, 2001. For the past several years, Mr. Kelly has been the general manager of the Calgary-based Canadian Charolais Association, an organization representing 2,000 members across the country, including 50 in the Maritimes.

"The addition of Mr. Kelly is a major step forward for the institute, which is unique in Canada for its industry involvement," said Mr. Fage. "The board of directors conducted a thorough and detailed search for the right person to develop and lead the institute, and I am very pleased with the selection."

Mr. Kelly has an extensive background in business, consulting and agricultural finance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, degree from McGill University in Montreal and a Diploma in Agriculture from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. He also completed the prestigious Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Program through the University of Saskatchewan in 1999. He is originally from Moncton, N.B.

Mr. Clarke said the board of directors is excited about the skills Mr. Kelly brings to the position.

"He has a great mix of business and agricultural experience, as well as the necessary leadership and consensus-building skills to really make the institute effective for farmers in the short and long terms," said Mr. Clarke.

The Agricultural Development Institute was created in September to give farmers a greater voice in determining what services they need and how they should be delivered. The institute's services could focus on specific commodities, like beef, berries or poultry, or on broader industry issues, like pest and soil management, or both.

"One of the first things Mr. Kelly will be doing is meeting with farmers and agricultural groups to reaffirm what specialist services they feel are a priority and then developing a business strategy for the institute," said Mr. Clarke.

Hiring of staff is expected to begin early in the new year and the institute will begin operating shortly after that.

"This is a new and exciting chapter for Nova Scotia's agriculture and agri-business community, and I feel privileged to be a part of something so innovative and unique," said Mr. Kelly. "The institute has limitless potential, and I am looking forward to meeting with farmers, putting together a great team of people and addressing industry priorities together."

Mr. Kelly will work closely with the institute's industry- government board of directors. The following members of the Federation of Agriculture's Council of Leaders represent producers on the institute's board: Peter Clarke of Cambridge Station, Kings Co., chair; Elspeth McLean-Wile, of Wileville, Lunenburg Co.; Ken Hunter of Whycocomagh, Inverness Co.; and Jeff Cutten of Truro, Colchester Co., who replaces Peter Hill of Port Williams, Kings Co. Government representatives include: Peter Underwood, deputy minister of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Garth Coffin, principal of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College; and Rick Whitman, transition co-ordinator with the department.

The institute, which is incorporated under the Nova Scotia Companies Act, was the key recommendation of an industry restructuring committee established last summer to consult with farmers on a new way to deliver specialist services.

The institute will operate at arm's length from government with an annual commitment of $2.2. million from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.