NSAC Foundation Board Directors

Appointments to the Foundation are made through an Order in Council.

Directors:

Stephen Healy (Chair): Stephen is a graduate of NSAC. He has worked in the insurance and financial field and has long been associated with London Life insurance company and has many agricultural clients.

Stephen also serves on the Farm Loan Board

Ken Peacock:  Ken is a graduate of NSAC (1971) and TUNS (1973) with a Bachelor of Engineering.  Much of his professional career has centered around the food industry in such roles as Directors of Operations for the Kitchens of Sara Lee, VP of Operations for Oral-B laboratories, VP of Operations for Ault Foods Ltd, General Manager of Weston Bakeries Limited, President and COO of Ben’s Limited, President and CEO of Avon Valley Floral as well as President and CEO of Farmers Co-Operative Dairy.  

Ken has worked with various volunteer boards and as an alumnus, has an interest in the development of NSAC. He is a member of the Natural Products Marketing Council, Vice-chair of the Prescott Group, and a member of several fund raising groups. He was a recipient of the Top 50 CEO’s of Atlantic Canada award in 2005 and featured as one of outstanding TUNS graduates in the book “ The House That Sexton Built”. Past positions include Chair of the NS Private Sector Employers’ Council and Co-chair of the Bakery Association of Canada.

Ken resides in Dartmouth with his wife Gwyn and two daughters, Jennifer and Kristin.

Carol Versteeg: Carol’s dedication to agriculture is evidenced by her involvement in many aspects of the industry, as both a professional and as a volunteer.  Upon graduation from NSAC and MacDonald College, Carol was a partner in a dairy operation in Hardwoodlands for 10 years.  Carol eventually became Secretary/Treasurer of two organizations, Halifax-East Hants Federation of Agriculture and Farmers Milk Producers, while also working in the Christmas tree industry as a tree shearer, grader, harvester, seller, and supervisor.  Carol has also served as a Director and Vice Chair of the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board, Executive Director of the Soil & Crop Improvement Association of Nova Scotia, and as a member of the Natural Products Marketing Board. 

Carol has been a dedicated volunteer in many organizations, including the Corridor Coop in Milford Station, Hardwoodlands Junettes Women’s Institute of Nova Scotia, as a leader in the Hardwoodlands 4-H Club, as a member of the Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Commitee.  She also gives up her time as a high school math tutor. 

Carol has three grown children and seven grandchildren, and her hobbies include reading, gardening, needlework, the piano and spending time outdoors.

Steven Harris: Steven joins the Foundation Board of Directors as an NSAC alumnus, having earned his M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Science in 1997.  Following graduation, Steven worked as an agricultural researcher and inspector before beginning his career in agriculture in commercial banking.  Since joining RBC in 1998, Steven has held a number of positions related to agrology. His involvement in the agriculture industry continues, as he is currently RBC’s Vice President, Commercial & Agriculture in North Eastern Nova Scotia.

Steven dedicates his time to volunteering in a number of areas, including Junior achievement, coaching soccer, and with the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  Steven’s connection to agriculture began early on a small Cole Harbour, NS farm.  He now lives in Dartmouth with his wife Kim and their twin girls. 

Janice Lutz: Janice’s history with NSAC began as a Plant Science student, when she was a member of the first class to graduate with an NSAC degree in 1985.  As an alumnus, Janice worked in NSAC’s Plant Science Department and subsequently went on to work with a number of other agricultural associations in Nova Scotia, including Acadian Seaplants and the NS Fruit Grows Association.  Janice now works at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh in Aylesford, and she and her husband operate an apple farm near Berwick.  

Janice is a dedicated volunteer as a church youth group leader, former 4H leader, and a school and sport program volunteer, and is involved with the South Berwick Women’s Institute and Community Club.  Her knowledge of agriculture was an asset during her tenure on the steering committee to establish the Berwick Farmer’s Market.

Janice and her husband live in Berwick and have four children.