Cecil Dale Howse
Cecil Dale Howse was born October 25, 1961 in Botwood, Newfoundland. After an early education in the Newfoundland school system and a term at Memorial University he graduated in 1983 from McGill University in Montreal.
Upon graduation Dale went to work for the Newfoundland Department of Agriculture as a Crop Insurance Officer and Field Inspector for Central Newfoundland. Leaving government service in 1985, he was owner & operator of Peatland Farms, Botwood, NL. until his death December 18, 1998. Between1994 and 1995 he was also employed with the Conne River Program teaching young adults farming techniques for vegetable production and harvesting.
Dale was employed as a Field Inspector for the Egg Producers of Newfoundland and Labrador from February 1989 to May 1995. This position required him to visit registered egg producers to conduct flock counts.
A pioneer in farming on peat soils in Newfoundland, Dale’s own farm was comprised of 90 acres of peat soil and 70 acres of mineral soil. With 50-70% in cultivation, he grew traditional and non-traditional vegetable crops as well as sods. He conducted fertility and crop variety research trials on his farm with the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Canada.
Always involved with his community Dale was a member of the Botwood Salvation Army Church Band. He created summer work programs on his farm for the youth in his community and jobs for area residents. In addition to hosting field trips and giving presentations to area schools on science and agriculture topics he hosted foreign exchange students through Youth Canada
Dale was often used in the role as guest speaker on farming in Newfoundland at conferences outside the province. He always provided advice and information on sound growing techniques for vegetables. He served as a member of Central Farm Producers Co-operative Society from 1987 and was Chairperson from 1989-1996. He became a member of Central Vegetable Producers in June 1985 and served as Secretary Treasurer from June 1988 to 1998
After a period as Director of the Newfoundland Milk Marketing Board from October 1990 to September 1997, he was appointed to the Newfoundland School Milk Foundation Board of Directors in June 1997.
Dale also served as a panel member for the Newfoundland Farm Debt Review Board since 1987. His knowledge and expertise of agriculture was invaluable especially during horticulture industry reviews.
He was known for the love he had for his family, his kind and gentle manner shown to friend and strangers, his professionalism in all aspects of his work and his belief in the potential for agriculture in Newfoundland.
Dale married Kitty Rideout and together they had four children, Patricia, Victoria, Matthew and Rebekah all of Botwood.
Cecil Dale Howse was nominated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producers Council in recognition of his contribution to agriculture in that province. It is fitting that he becomes an inductee into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.