Jack Sibley
Nova Scotia Inductee, 2021
Throughout his professional and personal life, Jack Sibley has generously shared his knowledge and expertise. Born in 1937 in Meagher’s Grant, Jack grew up in rural Nova Scotia, and would spend his career contributing to an industry built in rural communities.
Jack’s formal education took him to Mt. Allison University for a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1959, he graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC), having earned a diploma in agricultural studies. Jack spent his early working years as an educator, teaching general agriculture at the Carleton Vocational School. He spent his summers with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture in Extension services or as a Field Manager with McCain Foods. In 1965, Jack began a 29-year career with the Horticulture and Biology Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing, first as an advisor and then as an extension specialist. It was his work in extension that would shape the modern blueberry industry in Nova Scotia and beyond.
From 1970-1979, Jack was the extension horticulturist responsible for roadside markets and the development of the wild blueberry industry. In 1979 and for the next 15 years, Jack was a Senior Extension Specialist responsible for the development of new government programs and initiatives to develop the lowbush blueberry industry in the province. Jack pushed innovation and industry development on the production side, while working with processors to build overseas markets for wild blueberries. Many of the programs he worked on helped build the industry and expand production. Jack also worked extensively with researchers at NSAC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Jack’s contributions were pivotal in guiding the development of today’s blueberry industry. He worked collaboratively with experts in a wide-range of specialties, from optimizing honeybee pollination to modernizing weed control. Jack helped design and administer the land levelling program, and worked with industry pioneers to develop and introduce mechanized harvesters for more efficient harvesting.
Well-known for his communication skills, Jack gave many presentations to growers, and helped establish and teach the blueberry production course at the NSAC. Jack was instrumental in the formation of three organizations: the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia (WBPANS), the Wild Blueberry Association of North America (WBANA), and the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute. After his retirement in 1994, Jack stayed connected with the industry, acting as Canadian Assistant Director of WBANA from 1997-2011. During this time he helped expand markets in Japan and Europe, increasing demand for this fruit crop.
In the community, Jack is known for his fiddling, both as a performer and teacher. He served as president of the Maritime Fiddlers Association and received the Tara Lynne Touesnard Award in recognition of his contributions to the preservation of fiddle music in the Maritimes.
Nominated by WBPANS for his exceptional contributions to the growth and development of the wild blueberry industry, Jack is a worthy inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.