William Frank Pryor
Born November 16, 1939 in Williamstown New Brunswick, William Frank (Bill) Pryor’s relationship with agriculture began during his childhood , having grown up on a mixed farm in Centreville and developed when he began purchasing his own beef breeding stock while still a teenager. He attended Nova Scotia Agricultural College, graduating in 1960, Macdonald College where he received a BSc.(Agr) and the University of Maine in Orono where he received his Masters of Agriculture and Resource Economics.
Between 1962 and 1978 Bill worked with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture in various roles. While working as district agriculture representative with 4-H, he realized an opportunity to start a 4-H Beef Steer project in cooperation with the Carleton County Spring Steer Show and Sale. The first 4-H steers were exhibited in 1963 and this show continues to be a success today.
As a leader of many farm organizations over the years Bill has worked with producers to improve market conditions. He worked with Maine cattle feedlot owners to facilitate the export of Canadian cattle. He coordinated a group of strawberry producers enabling them to ship and successfully market their produce into New England as well as throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. As a director of the Carleton Victoria Wood Producers, he was instrumental in the development and structuring of a wood yard which allowed wood producers to assemble, sort and size logs. This opened and enhanced access to new and existing markets for raw wood products.
Bill worked closely with the New Brunswick Potato Shippers Association that aimed to organize growers and shippers into a joint potato council. Although these attempts to organize were not initially successful, this endeavor was eventually realized with the creation of the New Brunswick Potato Agency. Bill was one of the founding members and the first secretary of the New Brunswick Draft Horse Association. The Association began as a one-day show and display during the Fredericton Exhibition (FREX), becoming one of the Exhibition’s more popular attractions.
During his career with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Bill worked with many agriculture producers throughout the province to help develop their skills in farm business management.
While serving on the executive of the Rotary Club in Florenceville, Bill played an important role in helping lay the ground work in establishing the Riverview Manor in Bath, New Brunswick which now is home to 40 residents who require special care.
Bill has received a certificate of recognition from the Canadian Angus Association for over 50 years of commitment and dedication to the Angus breed in Canada.
Bill and his wife Leah Weston raised three children, Robert, Christopher and Scott and with the help of his sons he continued to pursue his love for farming with a cow/calf operation.
Nominated by the New Brunswick Cattle Producers in recognition of his over 50 years of contributions to the farm community and farm families in New Brunswick, Bill Pryor is indeed a worthy inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.