Dan Gillis
Dan Gillis, the first person from Newfoundland to graduate from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Order of the British Empire, a civil servant, farmer, farm radio broadcaster, writer, and he was also a pioneer in the development of agricultural education in the rural communities of Newfoundland.
Dan Gillis' major contribution to the agricultural industry and to the rural community was his leadership abilities. His ability and future ideas for a viable agriculture were in good part the basis for today's agriculture in Newfoundland.
He was proficient in all levels of education - the one-to-one discussions with farmers in the local community, at community meetings and by writing interesting and informative booklets on Newfoundland agriculture and embracing a new and exciting method of creating an interest through his CBC program "The Yarns of Sandy Joe".
He has the ability to work at the community level documenting agricultural potential and, at the same time, hold a senior civil servant position in the Newfoundland Government as Director of Agriculture. His versatility, his service to his community and his province, his dedication and as a senior civil servant, are all recognized in his appointment to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.