Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

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Faculty of Agriculture
Dalhousie University
Former names
Nova Scotia Agricultural College (1905-2012)
The School of Horticulture (1893-1905)
The School of Agriculture (1885-1905)
Type Public agricultural college
Established 1905
Endowment $3.049 million[1]
Location , ,
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Colors blue      & gold     
Nickname Rams
Affiliations CCAA, ACCC, AUCC, IAU, CBIE, CUP.
Website http://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture.html

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The Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University is a top Canadian agricultural college and faculty of Dalhousie University located in the beautiful and lively Bible Hill, Nova Scotia.[2]

The Faculty of Agriculture offers the only university-level programs in agriculture in Atlantic Canada. The campus is referred to as Dalhousie University's "Agricultural Campus" or by its popular abbreviation "AC."[3][4]

Our Story

Part of Our Community

Our story is interwoven with the history and development of the agriculture industry of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Provinces. As an institution, we also figure prominently in the history of the Truro and Bible Hill area.

The Faculty of Agriculture was officially founded on 1 September 2012 with the merger of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) into Dalhousie University.Before merging with the university, the NSAC was the third oldest centre for agricultural education and research in Canada.

The Faculty of Agriculture traces its history to The School of Agriculture, founded in 1885 in Truro, as well as The School of Horticulture, founded in 1894 in Wolfville, and the Provincial Farm established in 1889 in Bible Hill.

These three agencies were later merged to form a new College of Agriculture (NSAC), which officially opened on February 14, 1905 with the farm in Bible Hill and a new main building serving as its headquarters (managed by the Government of Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture).

The Bible Hill campus, located on a bluff along the north bank of the Salmon River, expanded throughout the 20th century to a total area of 442 hectares (1,092 acres).[5]

In the early years, NSAC and its predecessor institutions focused on educating farmers in aspects of field and animal husbandry. These early graduates often went on to pursue a university degree, usually from Macdonald College at McGill University or the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, Ontario.[6]

A disastrous fire in 1946 destroyed the science building and a temporary campus was set up at a former Canadian Army hospital at nearby Camp Debert. This temporary campus served students until the fall of 1953 when the new science building, now known as the Harlow Institute, was opened on the Bible Hill campus.[6]

In 1980 the Government of Nova Scotia passed legislation authorizing the institution to grant undergraduate B.Sc. (Agr.) degrees.[7] The decision was made by the institution to do this in association with Dalhousie University and the first students graduated with the new degree in 1985. An agreement was subsequently made with Dalhousie to provide M.Sc. degrees beginning in 1996.

NSAC granted its own diplomas for 2-year technology programs and the institution remained an independent post-secondary research and education institution administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of NSAC, Canada Post issued 'Nova Scotia Agricultural College, 1905-2005' on 14 February 2005 as part of the Canadian Universities series. The stamp was based on a design by Denis L'Allier and a photograph by Guy Lavigueur. The 50¢ stamps are kiss cut and were printed by Lowe-Martin Company Inc.[8]

The Government of Nova Scotia announced on March 23, 2012 that it had reached an agreement with Dalhousie University that saw NSAC become that institution's Faculty of Agriculture, effective 1 September 2012.[9][10]

Our Programs

The Faculty of Agriculture offers the following academic programs under four main pillars of environmental sciences, plant and animal sciences, engineering, and business & social sciences.

Graduate Programs:

  • Master of Science (Msc)

Bachelor of Science (Agriculture):

  • Animal Science
  • Aquaculture
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Integrated Environmental Management

Bachelor of Science:

  • Bioveterinary Science

Bachelor of Technology:

  • Environmental Landscape Horticulture
  • Landscape Architecture

Dual-Degree Program:

  • Bachelor of Agriculture (International Food Business) & Bachelor of Business Administration (CAH Vilentum University in the Netherlands)

Preparatory Studies:

  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Diploma and Technical Programs:

  • Business Management
  • Engineering
  • Managed Landscapes
  • Plant Science
  • Veterinary Technology

Continuing Education Certificate Programs:

  • Certificate of Specialization in Organic Agriculture
  • Certificate in Technology Education

Community

The Dalhousie Agriculture Students' Association is the official organization of students on the Agricultural Campus. In addition to representing the students to the administration, they spend much of our time organizing events, clubs, groups and committees to improve student life on the Agricultural Campus. They're also responsible for publications such as the Golden Ram (Student Newspaper), yearbook and student agendas.

The Barley Ring

Many of our students both in and outside of the association covet our Barley Ring. The Agricultural Campus' official ring was launched in 2010. The design features a textured pattern of barley around the band. Each ring is handmade by local artisan, Donna Hiebert. The barley pattern represents an essential element of agriculture. Barley has been a widely planted and harvested crop in Nova Scotia since the earliest times and it was one of the first crops planted on the Agriculture Campus in 1890.

Campus Life

Community Open House

Every July, the whole campus joins together for our Community Open House.[11] It's a day of fun and exploration featuring wagon rides, garden tours, BBQ, musical entertainment, artwork, games, activities and exhibits from many of our departments.

Discovery Day

Every November, the Agricultural Campus opens its doors to students of all ages and their parents to learn about the programs we offer, to explore our many clubs and societies, and to apply on-site. During Discovery Day,[12] people can participate in hands-on activities, speak to professors and current students, and tour our many gardens, residences, and classrooms.

College Royal

College Royal is a beloved Faculty of Agriculture tradition that encompasses agricultural education, livestock demonstrations and showmanship. Students, faculty and staff work diligently to train a cow, sheep or chicken for showmanship classes and also celebrate old-fashioned farming fun at the Farmers' Olympics. The Farmers' Olympics kicks off College Royal and includes a round bale roll, hay bale toss, fertilizer tote race, wheelbarrow race, pie-eating contest and a milk-chugging competition. The stands are always packed with spectators who cheer on our teams.

See also

Notes

^1 Enrollment Statistics 2011-12, NSAC Registry

References

  1. Annual Report of NSAC Foundation, 2010-11, page 4
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  5. “Nova Scotia Agricultural College Quick Facts 2010-2011
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  7. Chapter 6 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, “Agriculture and Marketing Act”, Part XVI Agricultural Education.
  8. Postage Stamp
  9. N.S. Agricultural College to merge with Dalhousie
  10. Dal name hailed in Bible Hill
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External links