Agricultural Hall of Fame to Induct New Members

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

Colchester County farmer and former politician Edward Lorraine is being inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced Mr. Lorraine as the Nova Scotia inductee today, Oct. 27.

"Mr. Lorraine has made tremendous contributions to his community and to the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia," said Mr. d'Entremont. "It is wonderful to be able to honour Mr. Lorraine's efforts."

Mr. Lorraine was born on a family farm in Onslow, Colchester Co. He began farming on his own in 1956 in the dairy and beef industries, developing one of the most successful cattle operations in Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Lorraine is also known for his devotion to his community. For 25 years he held the position of secretary to the board of trustees of the North River Elementary School, and was on the Colchester East Hants Amalgamated School Board for six-years.

In 1972, he was elected to Colchester Council and became warden in 1973. His next step was provincial politics. Mr. Lorraine was elected to the House of Assembly in 1981 and in 1997 he was sworn in as minister of agriculture and marketing, serving in that capacity until his retirement from politics in 1999.

During his political career Mr. Lorraine continued to be dedicated to his farm and the industry. He was a pioneer in the development of the Murray Grey cattle breed in Canada, importing some of the first Murray Grey breeding stock into the country.

Mr. Lorraine was instrumental in the establishment of the feeder sale, which provides cattlemen with a place to market their calves.

Mr. Lorraine and his wife Shirley raised five children on their farm in Onslow.

The Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame honours members of the agricultural community for outstanding contributions to the industry, community and farm organizations. The 2004 inductees from the other Atlantic Provinces include Willard MacPhail of Prince Edward Island, posthumously; Martin Howlett of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Louis Bourgeois of New Brunswick.