Lottie Austin Cook
Born in Skye Glen, Inverness County, Lottie Austin Cook was the fifth of 16 children. Her parents were pioneers in the agricultural industry in that area and their passion for farming inspired Lottie at a very young age to become involved in agriculture.
In 1924, Lottie joined the Mabou Boy鈥檚 and Girl鈥檚 Swine Club. Her keen enthusiasm and ability set her apart from the other 4-H members. In 1925, Lottie and teammate Annie Cameron entered the judging competition at the Maritime Winter Fair in Amherst and won top judging honours. This victory qualified them to compete at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. After a long train ride to Toronto, the girls were triumphant and came home with a first place in judging and a second place in the overall competition.
Lottie attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and graduated in 1930. For several years she worked as Assistant Agriculture Representative to J.C.F. MacDonnell. Having no car, she walked from community to community organizing Junior Clubs and meeting the farmers in Inverness County. In 1934 Lottie was appointed Agricultural Representative for Inverness County and held the distinction of being the first woman in Canada to be appointed to such a position.
As Agricultural Representative, Lottie worked with some of the most knowledgeable people in agriculture. She also began working with people from the St. FX Extension Department such as Moses Coady and Jimmy Tompkins and became passionate about the co-op movement. Lottie worked closely with farmers, bringing them together to form the Inverness County Federation of Agriculture. She also worked with other farm organizations, 4-H clubs, poultry pools and cooperatives, leading to the opening of stores and credit unions in Inverness County. Over the years several young agricultural assistants were mentored under Lottie鈥檚 watchful eye. Angus Rankin, Jim Wright, Charlie Douglas and Jim MacNeil, as well as future Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture, Colin H. Chisholm, were all her assistants.
In 1943, Lottie married George Cook. George became the Agricultural Representative for Colchester. Lottie and George opened a chick hatchery in Truro, establishing breeder flocks in Greenfield and Bass River and they soon became one of the foremost producers of high quality chicks in the Maritime Provinces. George died in 1954 leaving the family and business responsibilities to Lottie, who continued with Cook鈥檚 Chick Hatchery until 1975. She was a leading and much respected force in the development of many new poultry farms in the Maritimes and a driving force behind many local and national organizations. Lottie was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Canadian Hatchery Federation in 1983.
Lottie and George had two children, Jim and Edith Lou. Lottie passed away at her home in Truro in 1991.
Nominated by the Inverness Victoria Federation of Agriculture, in recognition of an eminent career as an agricultural extension professional and industry leader, Lottie Austin Cook is a indeed a worthy inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.