The Executives of the Purebred Sheep Breeders Association of Nova Scotia
President –Holly Hines
Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
Holly is currently the Ruminant Coordinator at Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture. She resides in Upper Stewiacke with her partner, chickens, ducks and a dog. She also co-owns approximately 30 sheep with her father, Richard, including Suffolk, Hampshire and Oxford in River John.
Treasurer & Director – Jane Pearson
River John, Nova Scotia
Vice President – Jamie Fraser
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
Currently resides and grew up on a family farm in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia (Bayhead Farm), where we have raised swine, horses, beef cattle, and sheep. Currently, we have about 40 ewes (Purebred North Country Cheviot/ Crossbred Commercial), 40 beef cows (Purebred Red and Black Angus/ Purebred Shorthorn/ Crossbred Commercial), 2 pigs, and 1 horse (Circle West aka Buddy). Participated in 4-H as a youth and still likes to help out with the program when asked. Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Major: Aquaculture) in 2008, and is currently close to graduating with a Masters of Science in Agriculture (Fish Nutrition/Feed Product Development). Currently, works as the Chute Animal Nutrition Centre (Feedmill) Manager at Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus.
Secretary Director – Janessa Henry
Mabou, Nova Scotia
Originally from Upper Musquodoboit, Janessa was raised with farming around her, growing up with beef cattle and goats. Her sheep career started through the 4-H program and expanded from there. She attended Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture where she obtained her Bsc Agriculture with a major in Animal Science. She now works as a mink technician in the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Truro. Janessa is also working towards finishing her Masters degree in agriculture. She has a small flock of purebred and grade Suffolks, and hope to expand when finished her Masters.
Director – Cathy Vallis
Princeport, Nova Scotia
Cathy began her career with Sheep in 1982 with her father, John Okell. Cathy has had a long career which includes having shown at the Royal Winter Fair in her youth. Cathy is Past President of the Sheep Producers Association of Nova Scotia, as well as having owned Atlantic wool Growers for 10 years. Cathy is now a proud breeder of Clun Forest sheep.
Director – Brianna Hiltz
Berwick, Nova Scotia
CSBA Representative – Bruce Sinclair
Goshen, Nova Scotia
Canadian Sheep Breeders Association (CSBA) rep for Nova Scotia. He owns a dairy and sheep farm with his wife Dianne and four children in Goshen, NS. They raise 30 purebred sheep consisting of North Country Cheviots and Suffolks.
He has been a 4-H leader for 26 years and is Chairman of the 4-H Market Steer and Lamb Committee. He is Deputy Fire Chief of the local volunteer fire department. He is a director on the Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Insurance board. He is past president of the Antigonish / Guysborough Federation of Agriculture.