Allister Ross Marshall
Allister Marshall was born in Trenton, Pictou County and was a graduate of Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Macdonald College. He distinguished himself as a leader, both at NSAC where he managed the Aggies hockey team and at Mac where he was President of College Royal.
Allister began his agricultural career as an Associate Agricultural Representative in Kentville in 1957. After attending the University of Guelph to study for his master鈥檚 degree in Farm Management, he went into a partnership on a dairy and orchard operation in 1961. He married Susan Oland in 1963 and in 1964; he and Susan purchased their own operation, Applewood Farm, in Woodville, Kings County.
In 1964, he rejoined the Department of Agriculture as a Loan Officer and later became Senior Loan Officer for the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board, positions he held for 26 years. In that role, he was instrumental in participating in the development of the agricultural industry in Western Nova Scotia. It can truly be said of Allister that he knew most of the farmers in the region by being involved in the provision of the credit services needed for much of their growth and prosperity over the years.
Allister was involved with apple marketing through Scotian Gold Cooperative Ltd. He started at the Board level as an associate director, then director and finally Chairman in 1986. In that role, Allister was a key leader in the restructuring of Scotian Gold after a devastating fire destroyed the processing plant. Allister was tireless in his quest to redevelop the Cooperative and led a small group of dedicated farmers in rebuilding its future.
Allister also served his industry well as a member, director and first vice-president of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association. His strong belief in farmers working together on research, technology and education in his chosen field of tree fruit production caused him to take a lead role culminating as President elect for 1999.
His interest in the industry led to fact finding trips with other farmers to Australia and New Zealand, to the Czech and Slovak Republics, to South Africa and to Washington State.
Allister was involved with horses since childhood. He was a familiar sight as a judge at light horse shows and for many years supported the light horse activity in Nova Scotia. He was Master and Co-founder of the Annapolis Fox Hunt Club. His interest in flowers and shrubs made Applewood Farm a showplace.
In addition to his many other activities, Allister was Director of the Kings County Board of VON, Director of the Western Kings Memorial Health Centre and Director of the Western Kings Health Society.
Allister and Susan had two children, Nancy and Ross.
Nominated by Scotian Gold Cooperative Limited for his leadership and contributions to his community and industry, the late Allister Ross Marshall is a very deserving inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.