Posted: October 17, 2023
The Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture Blue and Gold Awards program honours alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their alma mater, their communities, Atlantic Canada, and beyond.
“Our alumni never cease to amaze me with their passion, dedication, and success,” said Dean David Gray. "This awards program is our way to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments.”
Meet the recipients of the 2023 Blue and Gold Awards
Distinguished Alumnus Award: Bloyce Thompson
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Minister Bloyce Thompson (Tech'94). This award is the Faculty of Agriculture’s most prestigious award, recognizing truly outstanding service and commitment to Faculty of Agriculture, industry, and the Alumni Association.
Bloyce Thompson is a third-generation dairy farmer and businessman from Eastside Farms in Frenchfort, P.E.I. He has been a strong advocate for the dairy industry locally, nationally, and globally. Thompson has travelled to the US, Japan, Portugal and beyond to lend his professional expertise in bovine livestock breeding to the dairy industry. He has served his industry as a member of the genetic evaluation board of the Canadian Dairy Network and as a board member of the Dairy Farmers of PEI.
Committed not only to his industry but to his community, Thompson was elected as MLA for Stanhope-Marshfield in 2019 and again in 2023. He currently serves as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Justice, Public Safety and Attorney General, and is Deputy Premier for Prince Edward Island.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Kim Cogswell
The Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Kim Cogswell (BSc'86). This award honours a volunteer who has consistently and enthusiastically donated their time and talents to advancing the objectives of the faculty or the Alumni Association.
Cogswell is a woman of many hats. The Port Williams, N.S., resident is a veterinarian, dairy and poultry farmer, Port Williams village commissioner, and all-around volunteer extraordinaire. Cogswell has served as a board member for the Chicken Producers of Nova Scotia as well as Atlantic Poultry Inc., as secretary-treasurer of the Wellington Marsh Body, board member for her local church, secretary for the Chipman Corner cemetery, 4-H leader, volunteer for her local school and sports clubs, and volunteer for Agriculture Literacy Month in Nova Scotia, among other agriculture awareness initiatives.
Cogswell gives her time for the betterment of her community, to make connections with her neighbours, to learn new things, and to act as an advocate for agriculture – a role she very passionately fills.
Young Alumni Achievement Award: Mullaivannan Manoharan
The Young Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Mullaivannan Manoharan (BTech'11, MSc'14). This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Faculty of Agriculture alumni aged 40 and younger.
Manoharan is passionate about agriculture, and it shows. The Moncton, N.B., resident purchased land from a local farmer in 2021, and since then has established his own farm: Appleview Orchards, growing nine varieties of apples on 25 acres, and Mountainview Growers, producing hydroponic lettuce, leafy greens, herbs and other fruits and vegetables. In his day job as research associate at NBCC, Manoharan leads the agriculture and agri-food research program and is the inaugural instructor for a microcredential course in agriculture.
When Manoharan was 21, he left his home in India to study at NSAC as part of the newly established articulation agreement with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University – one of just two students in the first year of the agreement. It was a big step – and one that has paid off for him and his family.