Agricultural Hall of Fame To Induct New Members

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Agricultural Hall of Fame To Induct New Members

The late Donald Newcombe of Port Williams is Nova Scotia's 2003 inductee in the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, Chris d'Entremont, Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced today, Oct. 21.

"The Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes members of the agricultural community for their outstanding contributions to the industry, community and farm organizations," said Mr. d'Entremont. "Mr. Newcombe was a strong supporter of the agriculture industry and the agriculture industry is much stronger as a result of his many contributions."

Donald Clayton Newcombe was born on Dec. 23, 1926, in Port Williams. He graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1946. In 1947, he joined A.C.A Cooperative, retiring in 1991 as vice president of agricultural production.

Don was nominated by the Nova Scotia Egg Producers in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the agricultural industry. Of special note are his contributions to the provincial and national egg industry in the early years of supply management.

He was a longtime member of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture, acting as president of that group from 1966-68. He was a board member of the Nova Scotia Chicken Marketing Board from 1966-74, vice president and president of Co-op Atlantic from 1972-81, board member of the Nova Scotia Egg and Pullet Producers Marketing Board from 1974-91, chairman of the Nova Scotia Egg and Pullet Producers Marketing Board from 1976-78 and director of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency from 1978-91. Don served several terms as the elected vice chair of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency during the years when the chair was a government appointment. At the time of his death, Jan. 21, 2000, Don was serving as a member of the Nova Scotia Natural Products Marketing Council.

Don was married to Marion Woolavar. They had three children; Janet Anderson, Mount Denson; Karen Lewis, Fall River and Kevin Newcombe, Falmouth.

Induction ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, beginning at 1 p.m. in Alumni Theatre, Cumming Hall on the Nova Scotia Agricultural College campus.

The 2003 inductees from the other Atlantic provinces include the late C. Dale Howse, Newfoundland and Labrador, Armand Lavoie, New Brunswick, and Elmer Waugh, Prince Edward Island.

For more information on the hall of fame see the Web site at www.nsac.ns.ca/halloffame/ .