Kinsman, Gordon Barss

Gordon Barss Kinsman developed and introduced Nova Scotia's first wild blueberry extension program and encouraged the introduction of cultured wild blueberry methods. Born on 19 March 1927 in Lakeville, Kings County, he studied at Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Macdonald College at McGill University, and the University of New Hampshire. In 1949 he joined the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture as their first extension specialist for berry crops and was involved in developing a certified strawberry plant program. In 1962 he was appointed director of horticulture and biology services at the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing, and in 1978 became director of marketing and economics, directing a change in emphasis from service-oriented to developmental marketing. After his retirement in 1986, he became an agricultural consultant.

He was a charter member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologists and a member of the VON Truro Branch and the Golden K Truro club. In 1990 he received the Calyx award from the North American Blueberry Council. A founding member of the Westmount Park Garden Club, he was awarded a medal of appreciation from the Nova Scotia Garden Association and recognition from the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. Kinsman was also active in cultural and heritage projects and was a life member of the Colchester Historical Society, chairman of the Nova Scotia Federation of Museums, Heritage and Historical Societies, and chairman of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Heritage Property. In 1978 he was awarded Nova Scotia's Cultural Life Award and in 1994 he received the President's Award from the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage. He was chairman of the Truro Planning Advisory Committee and of the Joint Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Truro, Town of Stewiacke and County of Colchester. He published nine agricultural historical papers and five genealogies. He died in 1999.