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History of the NSFGA
The Nova Scotia Fruit Growers'
Association was established in 1863 under the leadership of Dr. Charles Hamilton
and Lt. Col. Robert Grant Haliburton. The primary goals of the association were
to promote Nova Scotia apples internationally and to collect information on new
varieties, diseases, insects and other data to pass along to growers.
From its beginning, the NSFGA has
ensured that the apple industry was a key player in the advancement of
agriculture in this area. The Fruit Growers' Association was a leader in
establishing the Wolfville School of Horticulture in 1894 and the Kentville
Experimental Farm in 1910. Nova Scotian apples were displayed by the Association
in many world exhibitions, and were praised and rewarded for their fine quality.
The NSFGA led the way in promoting
Nova Scotia apples in the export market. The Association's promotions were very
effective in Great Britain, and as a result, by the early part of the 20th
century, Great Britain was the leading buyer of Nova Scotia apples.
Unfortunately, the shipment of apples to Britain was virtually halted during the
First and Second World Wars. Following the Second World War, trade picked up
once again, but never to the same degree as before. The outcome was a switch in
emphasis from the export market to the local fresh markets and the local
processing industry. This change brought new life to the Nova Scotia apple
industry, which today produces approximately three million bushels annually. The
McIntosh apple variety accounts for the greatest proportion of total production,
with the remainder of the crop consisting mainly of the Cortland, Spartan,
Gravenstein, Idared, Spy and Red Delicious varieties.
Presently, the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers' Association continues to play an important role in the lives of Nova Scotia apple growers and the apple industry. Today, the Association's goal is to create an economically viable and sustainable Nova Scotia tree fruit industry.