NSAC Forums

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to the newsdesk at (news@nsac.ca). for inclusion in the next edition, which run on Monday and Thursday of each week. Remember you can post notices anytime on the NSAC Forums at http://nsac.ca/forums

Extending a Thank You

The Enrollment Management Unit would like to thank the following peoplefor their assistance in helping promote NSAC recently to prospective students:

• Sam Asiedu who spoke on NSAC’s international projects to a grade six class at Ridgecliff School in Beechville;
• Colette Wyllie who toured a prospective student in the Environmental Sciences Department last Thursday;
• Heather-Anne Grant and Steve Russell for hosting the ten students registering for the new IFB program for a BBQ last Saturday;
• Judy Grant and Agricultural Awareness for including NSAC in all activities. 

NSAC Local Alumni Divot & Dine

Join the Executive of NSAC's Alumni Association, Arnold Hagen and Dwane Mellish, as well as other alumni for an NSAC Local Alumni Divot & Dine. Unwind from your hectic week while catching up with former classmates and other alumni.
What: Enjoy nine holes of golf, followed by a delicious steak dinner (or chicken)
When: Friday, June 19th
Where: Riverrun Golf Club, North River, NS                                          
Cost: $30

To learn more click here.

Frozen Turkey Sale

The Atlantic Poultry Research Centre is selling frozen whole turkey on June 19th from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Poultry Research Centre, 25 Farm Lane.
To learn more click here.

IFB BBQ a Huge Success 

The International Food Business (IFB) Kick-off Barbeque took place this past Saturday, June 13 and was a huge success. The barbeque brought all ten enrolled students, and their families, to NSAC to meet program staff and faculty. Students were excited to receive the itinerary for their Iceland orientation in August.

Seen here are the students of the new IFB program:
Front Row (L-R):
Emma Eisses, Susan Sipos, Rose Fisher, Jeanette Van der Linden, Justine Lalonde.

Back Row (L-R):
Dr. Steven Russell, Jeffrey MacPherson, Ross MacNeil, Katherine Johnstone, Patrick MacNeil, Timothy Barnes, Professor Robert Lewis.

IFB is the university’s new Bachelor of Administration (Honours) in International Food Business. NSAC is offering this new degree in partnership with Dronten University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands. The degree offers a minimum of one year of international study and two work terms: one in North America and one in Europe. This four year degree underlines its international focus by beginning with a ten-day orientation in Iceland, where European and North American students get to know one another while exploring the Icelandic food industry.

New Fruit Horticulture Professor

The Plant and Animal Science Department wants to announce that Dr. Kris Pruski has been hired to a faculty position in fruit horticulture. Dr. Pruski is no stranger to NSAC, having been here for several years as a Plant Atlantic research chair. Kris is very excited about his new role, and is looking forward to working with grape growers, apple producers, cranberry producers and to exploring new fruit crops that have potential for the Maritimes. In addition, organic fruit production will be studied.  Collaboration with other researchers on campus to investigate value-added bioproducts is also on the agenda. On campus, we will see a rejuvenation of NSAC’s orchard, including new scab-resistant apple varieties and other kinds of fruits as well. Look carefully next time you walk by the orchard.

Ethiopian Colleague on Campus

Please welcome Dr. Waktole Sori Gebena, faculty member of Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Waktole will be on campus for the next eight weeks undertaking specialized training as part of the Post-Harvest Management to Improve Livelihoods (PHMIL) project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Project Director is Dr. Tessema Astatkie, Department of Engineering.

Dr. Waktole has a B.Sc. in Plant Science, a M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology and his PhD in Sericulture. While at NSAC, Dr. Waktole will be working closely with Dr. Chris Cutler and Dr. Glen Sampson on a mini-project related to post-harvest management and management of insects. As well, Dr. Waktole will meet with several faculty and staff on campus and visit several agricultural sites within the region as part of his study program. Dr. Waktole can be reached by email at wgobena@nsac.ca, or by contacting Claudia Schaerer, Project Officer, NSAC International at cschaerer@nsac.ca or by phone at extension 6252.

Upcoming Seminar

New fruit crops under development at the University of Saskatchewan and their potential for the Maritimes.
By Dr. Bob Bors, Department of Plant Science, University of Saskatchewan.
Room: COX 138
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Dr. Bors heads the fruit breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan. He will give an overview of his breeding program but will emphasize Haskap (Blue honeysuckles/ Lonicera caerulea), dwarf sour cherries, and interspecific strawberries. He is currently spending a month in the Maritimes to gather L. caerulea (also known as L. villosa) as part of his sabbatical.  

Canadian Champion on Staff

Ryan Burgess, a member of NSAC’s security staff, recently captured the Canadian Full Contact Kickboxing Championship title in a fifth-round unanimous decision at Island Inferno in Charlottetown, PEI. Ryan is the new Canadian title holder in the welterweight division. Congratulations Ryan!

Farewells

Michael Johnson

As many of you are already aware, Michael Johnson has accepted a new position with the Department of Immigration as Director of Programs. In recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the Department of Agriculture, we are planning a bon voyage in the Riverview Room, Jenkins Hall on Wednesday, June 24th at 3:00 p.m. Mike has worked with many people outside our department, so please feel free to extend this invitation to others as well. Please join us in wishing Mike all the best in his new position.


Amy Ross
Please join Financial Services, second floor Cumming Hall, Wednesday June 24th from 2:30 – 4:00p.m. for a reception to wish Amy Ross all the best in her new position with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Amy will start her new challenges on July 2 in her new office in New Glasgow. Amy has been in Financial Services as the Research Accountant since August 2005. Financial Services staff will miss Amy’s knowledge of research and her cheerful willingness to offer assistance. Please join us at the reception and in wishing Amy's all the best in her future endeavors.