Blueberry Association of Nova Scotia

An act to encourage the cultivation of blueberries was passed March 30, 1928.

The Nova Scotia government decided to deal with the problems of burning and the general lack of organization by passing the Blueberry Associations Act. This act was designed to provide a framework by which blueberry burning, picking and marketing could be more effectively carried out. The Act read as follows:

This Act May Be cited as "The Blueberry Associations Act, 1928".

When not less than ten persons of the age of eighteen years and upwards resident in any place or settlement in Nova Scotia and actually engaged in the occupation of berry picking, signify their intention of forming an Association by signing a declaration in the form in the Schedule to this Act, a certificate of incorporation may be issued by the Register of Joint STOCK Companies to such persons, as may become members of such Association shall thereupon become a body corporate under the name of "Station No. Blueberry Association of Nova Scotia".

A declaration with an affidavit verifying the signatures and the fact that the persons signing the same are actually engaged in the occupation of berry picking, shall, before such certificate is issued, be filed with said Register.

The Minister of Lands and Forests may, in his discretion, upon the application of a Blueberry Association formed under the provisions of this Act, set aside an area or areas of Crown Lands as blueberry commons. Such area or areas shall first be surveyed and properly marked by posts and stones by the Department Of Lands and Forests.

The objects of such Association shall be: The obtaining of an area of Crown Land for the cultivation, picking, And Co-operative shipping and selling of blueberries. The procuring of reliable information as to the latest improvements in the methods of cultivating, picking, shipping and selling of blueberries, and the acquiring and collecting knowledge regarding markets for the sale of blueberries; and the doing of all such matters and things as may legally tend to or assist in the attainment of the objects of such Association.

Every Association incorporated under the provisions of this Act shall hold its first meeting within two months of the date of its certificate of incorporation. Each Association shall at its first meeting elect from its members a chairman and a secretary-treasurer, both of whom shall together with three members of the station administer the affairs of the station.

Immediately after the meeting of an Association the chairman shall notify in writing the Minister of Lands and Forests of the formation of such Association, and the names of the chairmanand secretary-treasurer.

Any penalty under the provisions of this Part, when recovered, shall be paid one-half to the complainant, informant or prosecutor, and the other half to the Provincial Treasurer, to be applied in the protection and the suppression of fires under the provisions of the Lands and Forests Act.

Associations Incorporated between 1928 and 1953 The Station, the Location, and the Date.

1 Garden of Eden and East River, St. Mary's, Pictou and Guysborough Counties Sept. 1, 1928

2 Quinan, Yarmouth County Feb. 2, 1929

3 Agricultural Society of Argyle and Glenwood, Yarmouth County Feb. 8, 1929

4 East Pubnico and Brookside, Yarmouth County Mar. 11, 1929

5 Pubnico and Argyle, Yarmouth County Mar. 8, 1929

6 East Pubnico, Yarmouth County Mar. 13, 1929

7 Middle East Pubnico, Yarmouth County Apr. 4, 1929

8 Agricultural Society of Kemptville, Yarmouth County Mar. 20, 1929

9 Pubnico, Yarmouth County Apr. 29, 1929

10 Centre and Lower East Pubnico, Yarmouth County Apr. 27, 1929

11 Oak Park, Shelburne County June 26, 1929

12 Bear River, Digby County Dec. 20, 1929

13 Moose River, Pictou County Aug. 29, 1929

14 Sheet Harbour, Halifax County Apr. 9, 1930

15 Berwick, Springfield and Halifax Mar. 5, 1931

16 Larry's River, Guysborough County Mar. 25, 1936

17 Quinan, Yarmouth County Oct. 8, 1940

18 Lower East and Middle East Pubnico, Yarmouth County Aug. 2, 1947

19 Dover, Guysborough County Sept. 12, 1951

20 Louisdale, Richmond County Mar. 23, 1953