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Leo Cox has lived his life by the founding principles of extension – work alongside people, support them in taking leadership roles, and improve their lives through education. This dedication to the betterment of others has had a profound impact on the agricultural and greater rural community of Inverness/Victoria County.

Born in Holland in 1937, Leo immigrated to Canada with his family at 14 years of age. The Cox family settled near Baddeck in Cape Breton, where Leo worked the family farm at Long Hill with his father. In 1959, Leo began work as an artificial insemination technician in Victoria County, and as a meat cutter at the Baddeck Co-op.

In 1964 Leo began his impressive extension journey as the Community Pasture Supervisor for the Province of Nova Scotia. In this role, Leo managed community pastures to allow farmers to increase their livestock numbers while developing land at home for increased production. He continued in this role until 1972, when he began his long and fruitful career as an Agricultural Representative for Inverness and Victoria Counties.

Leo drew upon the experiences of his colleagues to provide the best for producers. He learned from his knowledgeable predecessors – extension workers, ag reps, and farmers – and passed on this wisdom and experience to others. While Leo initiated many projects, his true strength as an extension worker was when he would step aside to allow farmers to take ownership of these initiatives. His mentorship of producers resulted in major developments throughout Nova Scotia, and most specifically in Inverness and Victoria Counties.

The agricultural industry in Cape Breton has been shaped by many developments initiated by Leo, including co-operative trucking of livestock and purchasing of machinery, ongoing development of fur and blueberry industries, and organizing woodlot owners into a co-operative group. Leo has also exhibited a commitment to the youth of this area, with his strong support of 4H clubs.

Agriculture may be Leo’s greatest passion, but it is by no means his only one. His influence as a volunteer has been wide-reaching, with past presidencies and chair responsibilities with parish councils, hospital boards, fire departments, and the credit union. Leo’s dedication to education has seen him serve on the Mabou Home and School Association and the Inverness County District School Board. Leo is currently the Chair of the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation and Vice-Chair of the MacDonald Hall Society, a group home for mentally challenged people. In all roles, Leo’s volunteer spirit contributes to the enhancement of his community.

Leo’s leadership in the agriculture industry was recognized with his Honourary Lifetime Membership of Inverness/Victoria Federation of Agriculture. In 2006 he also received the award for Life-Long Contribution to Farming and Rural Life in Inverness County.

While his work for the province’s agriculture industry may have required extensive travel, Leo always came home to a full house. Married to Annie for 51 years, Leo raised four children: Fred, Jack, William, and Rene, and now enjoys time with his 12 grandchildren. The Cox family embraces their community and gives back at every opportunity.

Nominated by the Inverness/Victoria County Federation of Agriculture for his tireless dedication to the agriculture industry and community, Leo Cox is indeed a deserving inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.