Nova Scotia Agricultural College

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Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Image:nsac logo.png

Motto: Mens Agitat Molem (Latin: "Mind over Matter")
Established: 1905
Type: Public Agricultural college
Endowment: $2.06 million[1] (as of December 31, 2006)
President: Dr. Bernie MacDonald
Co-President/VP Administration
Dr.Leslie MacLaren
Co-President/VP Academic
Undergraduates: 7201
Postgraduates: 681
Location: Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Canada
Campus: Urban
Colors: blue      & gold     
Nickname: Rams
Affiliations: AUCC, IAU
Website: http://nsac.ca

Coordinates: 45°22′15″N 63°15′26″W / 45.37083, -63.25722 The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) is a Canadian university college located in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, a village near the town of Truro. The NSAC was officially founded February 14, 1905. In the early years, the NSAC focused on educating farmers in aspects of field and animal husbandry. NSAC entered a new era in 1980 after the Nova Scotia government passed legislation authorizing the institution to grant undergraduate B.Sc. (Agr.) degrees. The NSAC offers the only university level program in agriculture in Atlantic Canada.

Contents

[edit] History

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College was officially founded February 14, 1905 by the merger of The School of Agriculture (1885-1905) in Truro and The School of Horticulture (1893-1905) in Wolfville.[2] NSAC was located on the provincial demonstration farm in Bible Hill which has grown over the years to a total area of 312 hectares (770 acres).[3] It is located along a bluff overlooking the Salmon River.

In the early years the college 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.[4]

A disastrous fire in 1946 destroyed the science building and a temporary campus was set up in former World War II military hospitals in 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.[4]

Cumming Hall, Administration Building, 2006

NSAC entered a new era in 1980 after the Nova Scotia government passed legislation authorizing the institution to grant undergraduate B.Sc. (Agr.) degrees. [5] 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 also signed with Dalhousie to provide MSc degrees in 1996. NSAC grants its own technology diplomas for the 2-year programs and the institution remains an independent post-secondary research and education facility administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.

[edit] Programs

Agriculture
General
Agribusiness · Agriculture

Agricultural science · Agronomy
Animal husbandry
Extensive farming
Factory farming · Free range
Industrial agriculture
Intensive farming
Organic farming · Permaculture
Sustainable agriculture
Urban agriculture

History
History of agriculture

Neolithic Revolution
Muslim Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution
Green Revolution

Particular
Aquaculture · Christmas trees · Dairy farming

Grazing · Hydroponics · IMTA
Intensive pig farming · Lumber
Maize · Orchard
Poultry farming · Ranching · Rice
Sheep husbandry · Soybean
System of Rice Intensification
Wheat

Categories
Agriculture by country

Agriculture companies
Agriculture companies, U.S.
Biotechnology
Farming history
Livestock
Meat processing
Poultry farming

NSAC is the only university in Atlantic Canada having a mandate to offer agricultural education and offers specialized training at the Technical, Technology, Bachelor, and Masters levels. Bachelor's degrees in Agricultural Mechanization, Engineering (with Dalhousie), Animal Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Environmental Biology, Agricultral Economics, and Aquaculture are offered. Undergraduate degrees — B.Sc.(Agr)— are granted in association with Dalhousie University. NSAC maintains an association with Brock University whereby NSAC students can receive a Bachelor of Science with a major in Viticulture & Oenology (granted by Brock). Graduate degrees — Master of Science — are granted with Dalhousie University in Agricultural Chemistry, Animal Science, Environmental Studies, Plant Science, and Soil Science. Nova Scotia Agricultural College offers:

  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science); Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Aquaculture); Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Environmental Sciences); Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Plant Science)
  • Master in science in Agriculture <[6]>

[edit] Noted alumni

  • Donald Cameron, former Progressive Conservative Premier of Nova Scotia

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

Note 1: Enrollment Statistics 2006-07, NSAC Registry

[edit] References

  1. ^ Annual Report of NSAC Foundation, 2006-07, page 3
  2. ^ Kernaghan, Lois (1985). "Nova Scotia Agricultural College". The Canadian Encyclopedia: p. 1291. 
  3. ^ “Nova Scotia Agricultural College Quick Facts 2007-2008
  4. ^ a b Ellis, A. Dale (1999). Shaped Through Service:An illustrated History of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Truro, NS: Agrarian Development Services (ADS) Ltd., 279. ISBN 0-9686008-0-8. 
  5. ^ Chapter 6 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, “Agriculture and Marketing Act”, Part XVI Agricultural Education.
  6. ^ > http://tools.canlearn.ca/ <


[edit] External links

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