Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

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]
President Richard Florizone
Dean Dr. David Gray[2]
Students 961 (2010)
Location Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Canada
45°22′15″N 63°15′26″W / 45.37083°N 63.25722°W / 45.37083; -63.25722Coordinates: 45°22′15″N 63°15′26″W / 45.37083°N 63.25722°W / 45.37083; -63.25722
Campus Rural
Colors blue      & gold     
Nickname Rams, Aggies [3]
Affiliations CCAA, ACCC, AUCC, IAU, CBIE, CUP.
Mascot Rocky[4]
Website https://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture.html

The Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University is a Canadian agricultural college and faculty of Dalhousie University located in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia.[5] The Faculty of Agriculture offers the only university level programs in agriculture in Atlantic Canada. Founded 14 February 1905 as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College within the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, it merged with Dalhousie University on 1 September 2012. The campus is referred to as Dalhousie University's "Agricultural Campus" or by its popular nickname of "Dal AC" or simply the "AC." [6][7]

History

The Faculty of Agriculture was officially founded on 1 September 2012 with the merger of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) into Dalhousie University.[8][9]

The Faculty of Agriculture traces its history to The School of Agriculture, founded in 1885 and located in Truro, as well as The School of Horticulture, founded in 1893 and located in Wolfville. These two institutions merged on 14 February 1905 to form the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) and the new institution, managed by the Government of Nova Scotia's Department of Agriculture, relocated to the provincial demonstration farm in Bible Hill.[10]

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).[11]

In the early years, the 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.[12]

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.[12]

In 1980 the Government of Nova Scotia passed legislation authorizing the institution to grant undergraduate B.Sc. (Agr.) degrees.[13] 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 the 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.[14]

A fire seriously damaged the main teaching building - the Cox Institute - on 21 June 2018. [15] While repairs are made, the old Walmart location in the Truro Mall has been turned into teaching and office space for, at least, the 2018-19 school year. [16]

Programs

The Faculty of Agriculture offers the following academic programs:[17]

Graduate programs
  • Master of Science (MSc)
Undergraduate programs
  • Animal Science
  • Agricultural Business
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Aquaculture
  • Bio-veterinary Science
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Landscape Horticulture
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Integrated Environmental Management
  • International Food Business
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Plant Science
  • Pre-Veterinary Medicine
  • Small Business Management (B.Tech)
Diploma and technical programs
  • Business Management
  • Managed Landscapes
  • Plant Science
  • Veterinary Technology
Continuing education certificate programs
  • Certificate of Specialization in Organic Agriculture
  • Certificate in Animal Welfare
  • Certificate in Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Certificate in Integrated Pest Management
  • Certificate in International Rural Development
  • Certificate in Sustainable Development
  • Certificate in Technology Education
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Environmental Biology
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Food Bioscience

Barley Ring

The barley ring is the official ring of the Faculty of Agriculture; the ring was first introduced in 2010.[18] The barley pattern was selected as it is an important crop harvested in Nova Scotia and one of the first crops planted at the Agricultural Campus in 1890. The barley ring is easily recognized by its distinctive barley pattern around the band. Each ring is individually hand made by Donna Hiebert of Truro, N.S.[18]

Wide band, stainless steel alumni ring (barley ring) from Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture.

Rings are available with a wide or narrow band, in 14k white and yellow gold or in stainless steel.[18]

Athletics

The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Rams have teams that compete in the Atlantic College Athletic Association, the Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association (CILA) and the Atlantic Intercollegiate Equestrian League.[19][20][21] In the 2015-2016 season, both the men's and women's woodsmen teams won the CILA championship.[22] In the 2016 - 2017 season of the ACAA, the women's cross country team won the provincial championship race.[23] The campus has one athletic facility called the Langille Athletic Center, situated beside the Cox Institute of Agricultural Technology on Cumming Drive.[24]

Housing

  • Chapman house is a co-ed residence and can hold 125 students. It houses mostly first year students and transfer students.[25]
  • Fraser house is co-ed also, with the option of all female or male sections. It holds up to 100 students who are mostly returning students and transfer students.[26]
  • Trueman house is the smallest of the three houses, but also boasts rooms devoted only to mature (>23 years of age) and graduate students on the ground floor.[27][28]

Farm

There is a farm on campus, located on Farm Lane, that consists of:[24]

  • Chute Animal Nutrition Center
  • Fur Unit
  • Atlantic Poultry Research Center
  • Ruminant Animal Center
  • Machinery Shed
  • Feed Processing Plant[29]

Gardens

Alumni Garden

The Alumni Garden were originally established as a research nursery. The beauty of the garden is highly appreciated by students, staff, and community members alike. Often, it's the setting for graduate or wedding photography. The intriguing landscaping and horticultural selections from beautiful perennial roses to at times banana trees is a widely admired treasure of the Agricultural Campus.[30]

Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden is located South and South-West of the Hailey Institute. It features a wide range of perennial flowers and shrubs attract butterflies and offer them an optimal habitat. The garden invites to strolls across the about half an acre site. All stages of the butterflies can be observed easily from the paths.[31]

Herb Garden

The Herb Garden is located between the Alumni Garden and the International House. The site can be accessed via the MacRae Library parking lot. The Herb Garden was designed by Carol Goodwin, faculty member, and built in 1994 by student, Leon Verdurmen, and Carol. It features a traditional "four quarter" design which predates medieval gardens. The selection of plants includes a variety of medicinal and culinary plants, as well as some dye plants. [32]

Rock Garden

The Rock Garden is located centrally on campus between College Road, and Rock Garden Road.[33] It gifted to the Agricultural Campus by the Friends of the Garden.[34] Featuring uncommon plants in a very sophisticated layout, the Rock Garden invites for exploration, relaxation, and offers quiet outdoor study areas (wooden and stone seating).[35] The garden is supported and maintained through the Friends of the Garden and the Nova Scotia Rock Garden Club.[36] 450 tons of local red granite was utilized to create the stunning landscape.[35] Beside more expected rock garden plants, one can find beside many others: Cacti, a Ginko biloba tree, and a beautiful Japanese maple tree. Visitors are asked to stay on the graveled and marked walking paths, and dogs are prohibited.

Chef's Garden

The Chef's Garden was established in 2011 through a student's initiative. It grows a wide variety of vegetable crops using organic agriculture principles. The fields measure in total 121' x 400' (1.1-acre), and are located behind the Banting Building and across the street from the AC Community Garden. In the growing season 2017, the garden offered CSA boxes (Community-supported agriculture) to students for the first time.[37]

AC Community Garden

The AC Community Garden is located across the street from the Chef's Garden, and adjacent to the Alumni Garden. It features about 40 plots which are available for rent by students, faculty, and community members. [38]

See also

Notes

^1 Enrollment Statistics 2011-12, NSAC Registry

References

  1. ↑ Annual Report of NSAC Foundation, 2010-11, page 4
  2. ↑ "Dr. David Gray". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  3. ↑ "Aggies in the community". Dalhousie Agricultural Students' Association. 2017. Retrieved 5 Dec 2017.
  4. ↑ "Rocky". Dalhousie Agricultural Students' Association. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  5. ↑ "About the Faculty of Agriculture". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "About the Merger". Dalhousie University. Archived from the original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "Agricultural Campus". Dalhousie University. Archived from the original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  8. ↑ N.S. Agricultural College to merge with Dalhousie
  9. ↑ Dal name hailed in Bible Hill
  10. ↑ Kernaghan, Lois (1985). "Nova Scotia Agricultural College". The Canadian Encyclopedia: 1291.
  11. ↑ “Nova Scotia Agricultural College Quick Facts 2010-2011
  12. 1 2 Ellis, A. Dale (1999). Shaped Through Service:An illustrated History of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Truro, NS: Agrarian Development Services (ADS) Ltd. p. 279. ISBN 0-9686008-0-8.
  13. ↑ Chapter 6 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, "Agriculture and Marketing Act", Part XVI Agricultural Education.
  14. ↑ Postage Stamp
  15. ↑ http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1579154-major-fire-damages-main-building-at-bible-hill-agricultural-campus
  16. ↑ https://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture/news-events/news/2018/09/07/mall_campus___sneak_peek.html
  17. ↑ "Programs & Certificates". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  18. 1 2 3 "Barley Ring". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  19. ↑ "Varsity Teams". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  20. ↑ "Woodsmen". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  21. ↑ "Equestrian". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  22. ↑ "Rams season recap". Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  23. ↑ "2016 ACAA Cross Country Running Championships Result". Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Assoc. 2016-10-23. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  24. 1 2 "Dalhousie University Campus Maps". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  25. ↑ "Chapman House". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  26. ↑ "Fraser House". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  27. ↑ "Trueman House". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  28. ↑ "Graduate & Mature Housing". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2017-11-22.
  29. ↑ "The Farm". Dalhousie University. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  30. ↑ "Alumni Garden: Location on campus". Google Maps. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  31. ↑ "Butterfly Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  32. ↑ "Herb Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  33. ↑ "Rock Garden: Location on campus". Google Maps. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  34. ↑ "Friends of the Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  35. 1 2 "Rock Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  36. ↑ "Nova Scotia Rock Garden Club". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  37. ↑ "Chef's Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
  38. ↑ "Community Garden". Dalhousie University. n.d. Retrieved 3 Dec 2017.
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