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Those who knew the late brothers Arthur and Donald Porter, knew of their passion for their dairy farm and all things agriculture. It was this dedication to the dairy industry in Nova Scotia that led Arthur’s wife, Dawn, and daughter Sherry Porter to create a scholarship in their names at Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture (Dal AC) to honour their memories.

“A few years after my dad died in 1997, my mother and I sometimes talked about creating something in dad’s name at Dal AC, but at that time the stars were not aligned,” says Sherry Porter, daughter of Arthur Porter. “When my uncle passed away this spring, I knew it was the right time and even better to honour them as a team.”

Valued at $3,000 each year, the Porter Brothers Dairy Award will be awarded to an undergraduate student studying a dairy related program at Dal AC. The Porter family wants to encourage growth and research in the dairy industry as Arthur and Donald were always working to improve the industry in Nova Scotia.

“We want this scholarship to be of interest to students who have a keen interest in the dairy industry, either back on the farm or through crop, engineering or animal science research in the industry,” Sherry explains. “We want it made available to students who have either a broad or specific interest in the industry. It is also important that it be of significant value to make a difference to the student or students who are awarded the scholarship.”

Not only was the dairy industry important to the brothers, Dal AC held a special place in the hearts of Arthur and Donald. Both graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (now known as Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture), Arthur in 1941 and Donald in 1954. It seems that passion for the small but mighty Agricultural Campus runs in the blood of their family members as well. Sherry, her brother Glen, brother-in-law Dale Townsend, Donald’s children and now his grandchildren have all studied at Dal AC. With Sherry also on the Board of Governors and playing an integral role in the capital campaign that will see refurbishment of the campus dairy buildings, creating the scholarship through Dal AC was a no-brainer for Sherry and Dawn. 

“Education was important to them both and they knew the value they received over the years from the many extension specialists who worked with them on various projects on the farm,” Sherry explains. “My dad and uncle would be quietly thrilled with this decision and the fact that the scholarship will go on in perpetuity in their name. I say quietly thrilled as neither of them were one to blow their own horn!”

Although ten years apart in age, Arthur and Donald were more than just brothers. They were friends and lifelong partners in farming. In 1955, after both graduating from Dal AC, the Porters purchased a farm in Fort Belcher, NS. For ten years, Arthur and his wife, Dawn, their three children, and Donald and his wife, Helen, and their five children shared the original double farmhouse. When the brothers purchased the farm next door, Arthur and Dawn moved their family into that farmhouse.

The Porter farm was a dairy operation which milked 80 cows and had over 600 acres of farmland. In the early days, Arthur and Donald had chickens, pigs, and a strawberry crop but eventually shifted their focus to a purebred dairy operation.

“Having a high producing, well recognized purebred herd, known as Belcher Holsteins, was very important to them,” Sherry says. “They maintained that high quality throughout and offspring from the herd commanded a premium price in the market.”

Although farming full time made for a busy schedule, Arthur and Donald both found the time to contribute to agriculture through participation in various provincial and national agricultural organizations. Both were active with the Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Dairy Commission of Canada, National Livestock Feed Board, Provincial Exhibition Commission, Truro Raceway, Scotsburn Cooperative, and more. Both were also involved with the harness racing industry as well, raising brood mares, breeding horses, and even racing some over the years.

“While they were partners on every aspect of the farm, many would say Arthur loved the cows, Donald loved the horses,” Sherry smiles.

Arthur and Donald impacted the lives of many, whether it be through their participation in various agricultural organizations, farming, or harness racing. Both were leaders on the farm and off. Their impact is evident by the growth of the scholarship alone, something Sherry and family are humbled about.

“Already the initial investment has grown with others contributing to it in memoriam to my father and uncle,” Sherry says. “I am hopeful it will continue and at some point award more than one scholarship per year.”

Today the farm is being operated by Alan Porter, Donald’s youngest son.

“My father would be very pleased to see that the farm is still in the family and hopefully one or more of Alan's children will also be involved,” Sherry says.

While the memory of Arthur and Donald Porter certainly lives on at Belcher Holsteins, their families are extremely proud that their legacy will continue to live on through Dal AC as well.