Allan A. Saunders
The late Allan Saunders' contributions to the agricultural industry in New Brunswick were far reaching and long lasting. Allan was raised on the family dairy farm in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. It was there that he first gained an appreciation of the positive impact of progressive farming practices on rural life. Development of better farms was to become the focus of his life's work over a career in agricultural extension that would span 41 years.
Allan received his post-secondary education first at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and later at Macdonald College of McGill University where, in 1947, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. After graduation he accepted a position with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture as Agriculture Representative in Chatham. He held this position until 1953 when he was transferred to Moncton.
In the early years, Allan worked tirelessly to organize farmers and promote improved farm production and marketing practices. He appeared regularly on radio and television, served as an associate member on the Board of Directors of Coop Farm Services, and was a founding member of the Atlantic Field Crops Committee. He championed improvements in forage quality and the expanded use of alfalfa in forage production systems across the Maritimes.
In 1978 Allan took on new responsibility as a Dairy Specialist with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture. In the years that followed, he had considerable impact on the development of New Brunswick's expanding dairy sector. His association with leading research and extension colleagues in Maine and across North America resulted in numerous short courses, exposing New Brunswick dairy farmers to outstanding speakers and leading-edge technology. Annual farm tours allowed farmers to observe new developments in dairy housing or forage crop production and became a regular feature of Allan's extension program until his retirement in 1988. Allan understood the value and importance of dairy genetics and was a great promoter of breed improvement. He served as President of the New Brunswick Holstein Branch from 1992 to 1994. He was an early advocate of embryo transfer technology, and was actively involved in the development of many dairy shows and sales.
Despite the demands of a busy career, Allan was deeply committed to his family, church and community. Over the course of his life, he was the recipient of many awards. These included the James Robb medal presented in 1979 by the New Brunswick Federation of Agriculture, an Honorary Life Membership presented in 1988 by the Moncton Area Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and in 1994 induction into the New Brunswick Dairy Hall of Fame. During his last days, with the help of close friends, the Allan Saunders Memorial Scholarship was established at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.
In retirement, horses became Allan's hobby. He and wife Sylvia were active members of the Canadian Morgan Horse Association and enjoyed driving and showing their beloved Morgans at fairs and special events.
Allan's advice and counsel were in strong demand by dairy farmers across the province and his guidance and encouragement played a valuable role in the lives of many New Brunswick farm families. He was nominated by the New Brunswick Branch of the Holstein Association in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of New Brunswick's dairy industry, and which make him worthy of induction into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.