NSFA Council

Alicia and her husband Danny operate Six Maples Farm in Antigonish County. Farming as a family, they direct market much of their product and also sell on the commodity markets – providing Alicia with a vast connection to varying levels of Nova Scotia agriculture. Alicia currently sits on the board for the Antigonish/Guysborough County Federation of Agriculture, the national committee for the Verified Beef Plus Program and is active with 4H committees both locally and provincially. In the past, Alicia has been involved with Nova Scotia and Canadian Young Farmers, Nova Scotia Cattle Producers and the Maritime Beef Council.

Alicia is looking forward to promoting and advocating for our industry within Nova Scotia, as well as nationally and internationally.

Matthew Roy owns and operates Coastal Grove Farm in Upper Port La Tour. For over 25 years, Matthew has been farming. Whether it was with livestock, hay, vegetables, or novelty crops. Over the years he has farmed conventionally, no-till, biodynamically, and organically, and has also practiced permaculture. Matthew holds a degree in Ecological Agriculture as well as a certificate in Permaculture Design. Additionally, Matthew recently completed his journeyman certification and is now one of the first Farm Technicians in Nova Scotia to train future apprentices.

Matthew currently sits on the boards for Greenhouse Nova Scotia, Organics Nova Scotia, and the Yarmouth Shelburne Federation of Agriculture. When it comes to his current involvement with the NSFA, Matthew sits on the Policy Advisory Committee and the Ag Sector and Human Resources Advisory Committee.

Catherine Manning grew up on a dairy farm in Pictou County. After graduating for the NSAC with a B.Sc. Agriculture, Catherine and her husband Dean pursued farming while holding down jobs in the agriculture industry. Together they operate Manning Family Farm, a mixed farm of beef and vegetables in Falmouth.

Over the years Catherine has been involved in a number of organizations, boards, and committees. An avid 4-H volunteer, she has also sat on the boards for 4-H Nova Scotia, Avon Chamber of Commerce, Greenhouse Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Angus Association and the Maritime Angus Association.

Allan Melvin actively farms on his family’s 6th generation vegetable farm in Pereaux, Kings County. After studying Business Administration at Acadia University, Allan obtained his Chartered Accountants designation and worked across Canada and Internationally before settling back to rural Nova Scotia, where he resides with his wife Heather and two sons Ryker and Arlo.

In addition to working on the family farm, Allan also works at Bishop and Company Chartered Professional Accountants, where he provides accounting and advisory services with a focus on Agriculture based clients. Allan splits his time between these two roles, which allow him to support the agriculture industry in many ways.

Allan is currently active on the Kings County Federation of Agriculture board, where he is also the Past President and is a board member on the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. Allan has also earned a certificate from Texas A&M for his participation in The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP).

Lauren Park is a first generation farmer who has been working in agriculture for a decade. She is a beekeeper, specializing in queen bee rearing, in the Gaspereau Valley. In addition to her farm, Forest Hill Apiary, Lauren manages the 2000 hive Cosman and Whidden Honey farm specializing in fruit pollination and honey production.

Lauren is active in a cross section of agriculture organizations. Presently a member of the Nova Scotia Young Farmers Forum, Lauren is passionate about ensuring young farmers are educated and have a strong voice in the industry. Lauren is also Past President of the Beekeepers Association of Nova Scotia and has been involved in key initiatives to ensure a sustainable beekeeping industry in the future.

Andy was raised in Grafton, Kings County and attended Dalhousie University where he met his wife Gail.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, they moved to Alberta where Andy worked in the oil industry.  In 1982, Andy and Gail, and their children Ian and Janet, returned to Nova Scotia where Andy was the Manager of Petroleum Resources in the Provincial government, and later worked with the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, involved in the regulation of offshore petroleum activities.

Andy and his family now operate CAP Farms Inc, an apple farm in Grafton, Nova Scotia. This farm was started by Andy and Gail in the 1980’s, and was managed by Gail until Andy’s retirement in 2007. The farm is currently being transitioned to their daughter Janet and her husband, Eric Chappel.

Andy is a past president of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association and is still active in the organization.

Harry Van der Linden operates Lindenright Holsteins with his family just outside Antigonish, in Brierly Brook. Harry has always been involved in agricultural organizations, most recently with Holstein Canada. Spending nine years on the board for Holstein Canada, three of which were on the executive, and one as past president.

With him, Harry brings lifelong experience on local, provincial, and national boards.

Growing up in Weymouth, Jacob Mullen’s father raised a variety of livestock over the years which is when his passion for farming all began. Jacob and his wife Colette have been farming for 18 years. In 2002 they began farming with 1 cow/calf and 5 chickens, from there they have raised various numbers of broiler birds, laying hens, pigs, cattle and goats. For several years the pair raised hundreds of bob calves – some of which went for veal and others went for beef.  Currently they have 30 heard of cattle along with pigs and chickens. They now specialize in direct marketing along with their 3 little future farmers; Emma, Chelsea and Tyler.

Bruce planted his first vines in Nova Scotia in 1981. Subsequently he developed a 2.5 acre vineyard and opened a small farm winery in 2016. When his stepson, Jake MacDougall, started his small farm (MacDougall Meadows) in Hants County, Bruce and Sandra sold the vineyard and winery and moved back to Hants County to work on the farm. Bruce now spends most of his time starting all the transplants for the market garden at MacDougall Meadow. He also helps with direct marketing of the farm product and serves on the Board of the Halifax Brewery Farmers’ Market. Bruce has been active on the Hants County Federation of Agriculture for the past six years, serving as secretary for two years. He looks forward to working with the NSFA to promote local food production and consumption as well as advocating for the protection of farmland in Nova Scotia.

Nick returned home from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in the spring of 1994 and purchased the dairy farm that he grew up on the following year. That same year, Nick married Elaine, and together they had four sons. In the late ’90s, they diversified by adding a modest cow/calf operation, and like many farms over time, their operation has grown larger. Nick and his family have remained involved in the industry every step of the way, and enjoyed participating in 4-H both as members (their children) and as leaders. Over the past 30 years, they have hosted numerous farm tours, both virtually and in person, for many groups and individuals. The positive responses from these tours continue to inspire them to love what they do. Their focus and legacy are to ensure the successful continuation of the farm, passing it on to his son and daughter-in-law, Denzel and Dayna.

Bert grew up in agriculture, as a kid his family had dairy and pigs. As he got older, they switched to dealing dairy heifers and beef cattle. Bert started dealing beef himself at the age of 14. Fast forward to today, Bert and his family operate Hummingbird Farm in Springville. Here they run beef cows and meat goats, and last year they planted 1200 raspberry canes and several fruit trees. For the past several years, Bert has also sold livestock supplies, everything from tags, to dewormers, to aluminum gates. Currently, Bert serves as Vice Chair of the Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, and President of Farm Safety Nova Scotia.

Janessa and her partner Bruce own and operate Glendyer Farms Inc, a second generation dairy farm and small sheep flock in Mabou, Nova Scotia.  In addition to managing the daily operations on the farm with Bruce, Janessa also works as an Animal Nutrition Advisor. She has spent her last 5 years in this role broadening her experience in other agricultural sectors. 

Janessa grew up in the Musquodoboit Valley immersed in agriculture, with her father employed as a beef herdsperson. Growing up going to the beef farm with her father it instilled a love for agriculture from a young age. Janessa was in the 4-H program in her youth and has been involved in various capacities since. During her time in 4-H she found her passion for sheep and started her small flock over 15 years ago. Janessa completed her B.Sc. Agriculture Mgr. Animal Science and continued on to do a MSc in Agriculture. She sat on the Purebred Sheep Breeders’ of Nova Scotia board where she also served as secretary. 

Janessa is excited to continue learning about the diverse Nova Scotia agriculture industry and serve in this new role.