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Allister Marshall MFH ----(December 9, 1928 -September 27, 2005) MARSHALL, Allister Ross - Woodville, Kings Co., passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2005, following complications post-surgery. He was born in Trenton, Pictou Co., on December 9, 1928, the son of the late Ross and Florence (Dunbar) Marshall. He graduated from The Nova Scotia Agricultural College and Macdonald College in 1957 with a B.Sc. in agriculture. He began his agricultural career as an associate agricultural representative in Kentville in 1957. After attending the University of Guelph to study for his Master's degree in farm management, he went into a partnership on a dairy and orchard operation in 1961. Allister married Susan (Oland) in 1963. In 1964, he and Susan purchased their own farm, Applewood Farms, in Woodville, Kings Co., which continues to operate today. In 1964, he rejoined the Department of Agriculture as a loan officer and later 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 credit services needed for much of their growth and prosperity over the years. His direct approach and his focus on the development of the farm family as integral to the success of the farm business were his trademarks. As Allister said, "You lend to the farmer, not to the farm." His job was to see the family prosper as the industry grew and to participate in the integration of new generations of farmers as the years progressed. Allister had been involved with apple marketing through Scotian Gold Cooperative Ltd. since his first apple crop in 1962. He became involved at the Scotian Gold board level as an associate director, then director, and finally as Chairman of the Board in 1986, a position he held at the time of his death. In that role, Allister was a key leader in the restructuring of Scotian Gold after a devastating fire destroyed the processing plant in the 1980's. Allister, with a small group of dedicated farmers, rebuilt Scotian Gold to its present progressive and profitable status as a leader in the apple industry in the Valley. Allister had also served his industry well as a member, director, vice-president and 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 in one of the oldest farm organizations in Nova Scotia, culminating in his role as president in 1999. He was also given an Honorary and Life Membership with the NSFGA in 1988. Allister had been 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 industry in Nova Scotia through Horse Trials Nova Scotia, 4-H and the Canadian Pony Club. He was the Master and cofounder of the Annapolis Valley Hunt, a drag fox hunt club. His interest in flowers and shrubs has made Applewood a showplace, and Susan and Allister's hospitality is renowned throughout the region. In addition to his other activities, Allister was a past director of the Kings County Board of the Victorian Order of Nurses, a past director of Western Kings Memorial Health Centre and a past director of the Western Kings Health Society. Until the time of his death, he served on the board of Co-op Atlantic. He had been recognized as a Distinguished Life Member in the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Oland); son, Ross (Hillary), Toronto; daughter, Nancy (Victor) Hinojosa, Woodville; grandchildren, Susan, Julia and Marshall Hinojosa; sister, Eleanor (Joe) Bevan, Hamilton, Ont.
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