Jack D. Johnson
Mr. John (Jack) D. Johnson was born July 13, 1929 on a farm in Lower Onslow, Nova Scotia. After attending local schools, he graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1950 and received his BSc from Macdonald College in 1952.
For three years Jack worked with the Livestock Services Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing as a Livestock Fieldman. He joined CBC as a Farm and Fisheries Commentator in 1955 and from 1958 until 1966 he was Regional Supervisor of Farm and Fisheries Broadcasts for the Maritimes.
During those years, Jack was responsible for 12 daily radio broadcasts and three weekly television programs. Mr. Johnson performed as regular host of the very popular "Country Calendar" for five years and was instrumental in starting the television program "Fisherman’s Log" which was unique in service telecasting in the world.
Jack’s knowledge of the needs of farm people and his excellent communications skills won him high recognition as a leader and innovator during his career with CBC, He received the Canadian Farm Writer's TV-Award of Merit and was the first Maritimer and twice recipient of the CBC Cowhide Trophy honoring script writing and voicing in farm radio.
Jack spent 20 years from 1967 to 1987 as Director of the Soils and Crops Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing. He developed staff and introduced programs that resulted in improved cropping programs. He was Director of the NS Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission for 20 years and Director of the NS Grain Commission for ten. He was active in the Maritime Branch and the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) for 20 years, receiving the first ever Clark-Newman Award from the CSGA in recognition of his lifetime dedication to agriculture. He was named a Honourary Life Member of the Association.
Jack is a former president and Distinguished Life Member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from NSAC in 2002.
Jack became Chair of the NS Dairy Commission in 1989. He oversaw several significant changes during that period including the institution of a province-wide quota exchange and the merger of fluid and industrial milk quotas. Jack was also involved at the national level on the Canadian Milk Supply Management Committee and was instrumental in the introduction of multiple-component pricing. Since his retirement in 1995, he has acted as a consultant for the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia.
Always active in community life, Jack has been president of the Cobequid Salmon Association, Chair of the Official Board of the Clifton-Hilden Pastoral Charge, Elder of the Onslow United Church and recipient of the Community Service Award by the Clifton District Federation of Agriculture as well as chair of the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation.
Jack is the father of five children; David, Eric, Bruce, Andrew and Susan. He and his wife Trudy reside in Lower Truro.
Nominated by the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia for his contributions and leadership in the industry, Jack Johnson is a very deserving inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.