Agriculture and Forestry minister Eric Hammill today announced the appointment of Alan Miller as Director of the department's Agriculture Division. His appointment is effective January 1st. Miller succeeds Dr. Wendell Grasse who is now Director of the Teaching Hospital at the Atlantic Veterinary College.
Mr. Miller is presently coordinator of the department's Agriculture Industry Transition Program, and has been working closely with farm organizations and commodity boards in the development and implementation of industry-based strategic plans. Prior to that, he was responsible for federal-provincial relations and participated in negotiations for the Canada-Prince Edward Island Cooperation Agreement on Primary Resource Development. Between 1988 and 1992, he was Western District Manager of the Forestry Division.
Miller graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a Master's degree in forestry, with concentration in plant science and soils. He is presently completing a Master's degree in business administration from the University of Athabasca.
"Mr. Miller's impressive combination of experience and education will enable him to make a strong contribution to the department as it develops new priorities and strategies in cooperation with all sectors of the industry," said Mr. Hammill. "His work with commodity boards and agricultural organizations has given him an excellent understanding of the issues now facing the industry during this time of change."
Miller resides in Elmwood with his wife Mary, twin sons Brian and Ben, and daughter Sarah.
The Agriculture Division of the Department has a staff of 75 and includes Farm Business Management staff of the regional offices, the Agricultural Resources Team (Production Services), the Soil & Feed Lab, Plant Health & Research Lab, Regulatory Services in Pesticide Control, Potato Quality and the Dairy Lab.