Minister congratulates Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, today congratulated Howard Morry of Kilbride on being named to the Atlantic Agriculture Hall of Fame. Today, in Truro, Nova Scotia Mr. Morry was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Morry has been involved with the agriculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador for his entire life, having grown up on a farm in Ferryland. Following his formal education at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in Truro, he worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada from 1955 until his retirement in 1990. While he was employed full-time at the federal governments research facility on Brookfield Road, Mr. Morry also ran a sheep and farming operation part-time and subsequently on a full-time basis since his retirement.

Mr. Morry is president of the Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, a position he has held since 2002. He was also president of the association from 1994-2000 and, under his leadership, the association developed a sheep strategy for the province to further develop the industry.

�His countless hours of work on this strategy were done without an expectation of compensation,� said Minister Byrne. �For Howard, it was simply about having the personal satisfaction of knowing the strategy would help all sheep farmers.�

Mr. Morry has also shown leadership in providing training to his fellow sheep farmers having overseen seminars on lambing, flock health, coyote prevention and control, secondary processing, and many other topics that advance the industry. His one clear objective is to work with industry on the preservation and conservation of Newfoundland local sheep.

�Howard�s knowledge of this unique animal is valued by all who are interested in the preservation of this part of our Newfoundland heritage and he is a valuable source of information and advice to new farmers, government and industry,� said Minister Byrne. �He is respected for his tireless work on behalf of the sheep industry and I am pleased to see Howard receive this honour.�

The Atlantic Agriculture Hall of Fame was established in 1968 to honour individuals in Atlantic Canada for their contribution to the development of the agriculture industry. Each year, based on nominations received from farm and rural organizations, one person from each of the four Atlantic Provinces is honoured. More information on the Hall of Fame can be found at: www.nsac.ca/halloffame

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 685-4624

2005 10 27 2:05 p.m.