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COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Name: Wanda Hamilton
Title: Communications Officer NSFA
Phone: (902) 893-2293
Email: whamilton@nsfa-fane.ca
Bio: Wanda is employed as Communications Officer with Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. Wanda grew up on a dairy farm in East Noel and still resides in rural Nova Scotia with her family of 3 children. Wanda volunteers with many community groups; Home and School, Christian Education and is also General Leader of Cobequid 4-H Club.
"I believe that Agricultural Awareness is a vital part of our industry and we need to take every opportunity to educate, inform and promote agriculture in Nova Scotia."
Name: Geneve Newcombe
Title: Co-chair Ag Awareness Committee, and NSFA Producer Representative
Phone: (902)542-4316
Email: cornwallisfarms@eastlink.ca
Bio: Geneve's family are owners of Cornwallis Farms Ltd in Port Williams, NS. where they have laying hens for table eggs, broiler chickens and dairy. They also have an on-farm feed mill and grow most of the grain used to feed their livestock.
"I have always had a passion for agricultural awareness and education and have been involved in the provincial committee at various levels over the past 13 years. We host school and group tours each year and I have also done presentations on agriculture to a variety of audiences".
Name Kara Irving
Title: Co-chair Ag Awareness Committee, and Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia representative
Phone: (902)243-2703
Email: k.irving@ns.sympatico.ca
Bio: Kara currently operates a dairy farm in Pugwash with her parents. They have 40 purebred Holstein cows in milk production. Kara has been part of the Ag-awareness committee for approximately 8 years and has had the opportunity to be involved in many activities for both children and adults. She feels it is important that producers make the consumers aware of the positive benefits to supporting local products and supporting local farmers.
"I was a very active 4-H member and continue to help the 4-H program with various judging events. I am a director with our local Holstein club - Central Nova and enjoy attending local show and exhibitions. I have also served on the Board of Directors of the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia for 8 years. Our farm tries to follow best management practices set out for Quality Milk, Nutrient Management and Environmental Issues. On a regular basis our farm participates in Open Farm Day. It is a wonderful opportunity to get friends, neighbors and members of the community together to see a farm operation up close. Most times many children attend with parents or grand-parents so it becomes a family event".
Name: Avril Vollenhoven
Title: Regional Communications Officer - Atlantic, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Phone: (902) 426-2353
Email: avril.vollenhoven@agr.gc.ca
Bio: Avril has worked in communications and public relations at both the provincial and federal levels of government for over 20 years. In her current role as the Regional Communications Officer for Nova Scotia, Avril promotes awareness of the importance of the agriculture and agri-food sector through strategic planning and communications support to stakeholders while ensuring compliance with Government of Canada communications policy and related legislation and guidelines.
Name: Michelle Amero
Title: Coordinator, Healthy Eating, Public Health, NS Department of Health Promotion and Protection
Phone: (902) 424-3749
Email: Michelle.Amero@gov.ns.ca
Bio: Michelle Amero is a Registered Dietitian who completed her Bachelor of Science degree and Dietetic Internship at Mount Saint Vincent University and her Master of Science in Community Health and Epidemiology degree at Dalhousie University. Michelle has worked in Public Health in Manitoba and Nova Scotia at both the regional and provincial levels for many years. Michelle currently provides leadership and direction for the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of provincial level healthy eating and public health nutrition-related policies, standards, and programs for government and the Public Health System through supporting implementation of Healthy Eating Nova Scotia, the province's healthy eating strategy.
Name: Mary McCarron
Title: NS Federation of Agriculture executive & Dairy Producer Rep
Phone: (902) 863-4026
Email: carrondale@eastlink.ca
Bio: Mary and her husband own and operate a dairy and beef operation in St. Andrew's, Antigonish County. As a farmer for the last 30 years, Mary brings a wealth of experience to the committee. She brings her passion and respect for Nova Scotia agriculture to her work with agricultural awareness.
Name: Heather Fulton
Title: Dairy Farmer/ Young Farmers Forum
Phone: (902) 986-1724
Email: heather_c_fulton@hotmail.com
Bio: Heather grew up and currently works on a dairy farm near Stewiacke NS.
"Agriculture has always been a huge part of my life and a passion I'm planning on pursuing for the rest of my life. I love rural Nova Scotia and I want to see it prosper well into the distant future. I believe the state of agriculture here can change and improve if people become more educated about their food and where it comes from. I am very involved in Young Farmers and I feel that group is also key to the future of agriculture. I enjoy representing them on the Ag Awareness committee and look forward to being a part of upcoming events and ideas".
Name: Lindsay Murray
Title: Office Administrator - Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia
Phone: (902)893-6520
Email: murrayla@gov.ns.ca
Bio: Lindsay grew up just outside of Truro on a family owned dairy farm. She is the Office Administrator for Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia. WINS aims to raise awareness of agriculture and rural Nova Scotia through education, training and other methods.
Name: Ashley Shepard
Title: Coordinator of Recruitment, NSAC
Phone: (902) 893-3432
Email: ashepard@nsac.ca
Bio: Ashley Shepard grew up in Bedford, NS and has always had a passion for animals and their environment. She graduated from NSAC in 2007 with a concentration in Animal Science. Being a city girl and not from a farming background, she has gained the experience and knowledge for the importance of agricultural education at various levels through Nova Scotia Agricultural College. She brings a different perspective to the group, looking from the outside in, to the industry.
"I really enjoy promoting agriculture through recruiting students to NSAC. I have the pleasure almost everyday of standing up in front of a class to discuss the opportunities in agriculture. It's important for students to be aware that the ag industry is a large part of today's society."
Name: Lisa Jenereaux
Title: Orchard Manager
Phone: (902)765-4300
Email: lisa@spurrbros.ns.ca
Bio: Spurr Brothers Farms is a family run business in Melvern Square, Nova Scotia. The crops produced are potatoes, apples, carrots, onions, grains and strawberries. Lisa manages 100 acres of apple orchards with varieties such as: Honey Crisp, Ambrosia and Gala.
"I have always been interested in u-pick and direct to market opportunities, so I added strawberries four years ago. Over the next few years, I will continue to add other small fruit crops such as raspberries and blueberries. I was interested in the Ag Awareness Committee because I want the public to understand where their food comes from. I have a daughter that started school this year and I believe that is a great place to start with our education. The timing for being on this committee is great because I believe the public is open to hearing what we have to say as a farming community."
Name: Michael Kittilsen
Title: Agricultural Resource Coordinator, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
Phone: (902)893-3645
Email: kittilma@gov.ns.ca
Bio: Michael Kittilsen grew up on a small dairy farm in Nova Scotia. He was involved in the Nova Scotia 4-H movement as a member for 10 years. In 1996 Michael graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics. Michael has a diverse work background; including summer work on various farms, silvaculture work, and Christmas trees. He began his professional career as a 4-H Specialist with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. Michael has sat on various agricultural related committees and also was the director of the National 4-H Citizenship Seminar in Ottawa in 2006. In 2008 he became the Agriculture Resource Coordinator in the Central Region. In this role he has assists farmers and the general public find answers related to agriculture, including helping those interested in becoming new farmers.
Outside of work Michael is an avid woodworker and fly fisher and has volunteered on many volunteer committees. Michael and his family live on a small mixed farm in North River.
Name: Marilyn Webster
Title: Science Consultant, English Program Services, NS Department of Education
Phone: (902) 424-4272
Email: websteml@gov.ns.ca
Bio: Marilyn Webster, Science Consultant for public schools in Nova Scotia, promotes scientific literacy through hands-on, minds-on science, as the focus of all curriculum initiatives. With her enthusiasm, innovation, and ability to make connections to other disciplines, science is a class where it is possible for everyone to acquire the skill, knowledge, and attitudes needed today. Marilyn's national and international involvement in doing and thinking science has been demonstrated through her commitment in presenting workshops and through her dedication as a volunteer in a variety of organizations. Her long-term commitment to science learning continues to affect everyone she comes in contact with - one by one. Scientific literacy is the focus of all that she does within the public school system and in the wider community.
Name: Peter Swetnam
Title: Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture - producer representative
Phone: (902) 582-7741
Email: pswetnam@xcountry.tv
Bio: Peter Swetnam graduated from NSAC in 1985 with a Degree in Plant Science. Peter along with his brother John and father Bill are poultry and mixed vegetable farmers from Kings County, Nova Scotia. Peter is married to Christine and they have three children, Sarah and twins William and Megan. Peter has served as past chair of the Chicken Producers Association of NS, present Chair of Select NS, multi year Director at the Council of Leaders for NSFA, and a director presently on the board of the Chicken Farmers of NS.
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