As Percy King closed in on the final stretch of his degree at 鲍鱼tv's Faculty of Agriculture, he and his mom, Alicia (Class of '97), hatched an idea for a meaningful moment involving his dad, Danny (Class of '97).听
During this year's Barley Party, Danny would be presented with a Barley Ring alongside his son.
鈥淭he idea to surprise my dad with a ring this year came from him losing his first one,鈥� explains Percy.
The Barley Party is an annual tradition where members of the graduating class receive a Barley Ring, a symbol that identifies them as alumni of Dal agriculture programs. Alumni who graduated before 2010 when the tradition began have started to request the rings, too, as Percy's father did a few years back.听
Percy and his mom saw an opportunity to replace Danny's missing barley-themed band.
鈥淏eing able to look back and say I was able to receive my Barley Ring alongside my dad is special but also because both my parents have helped me so much along the way to get to this point in my life.鈥�
Percy, an agricultural business management diploma grad, plans to travel to western Canada for a couple of years to gain hands-on experience in the industry with special interest in beef production from cow calf to feedlot operations.
The Barley Ring
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The Barley Ring's textured design features a pattern of barley around the band of the ring. Barley has been a widely planted and harvested crop in Nova Scotia and was one of the first crops planted on the Agricultural Campus in 1890.
Some students feel the pattern looks like a tractor tire or even animal footprints. Learn more.
Eventually, he intends to return to his family鈥檚 farm in Antigonish 鈥� Six Maples Farm, an eighth-generation operation 鈥� to help expand and strengthen the business alongside his family.
Nearly 100 rings were presented last month (April 9) to the Class of 2026 as they joined the nearly 2,000 others worldwide wearing the ring.
鈥淭he Barley Ring is more than a symbol 鈥� it represents a lifelong connection to the Faculty of Agriculture, to one another and to the proud agricultural traditions that shape our community,鈥� said Dr. Heather Bruce, dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and principal at the Truro Campus. 鈥淚t is an honour to welcome the Class of 2026 into this enduring legacy.鈥�
The Barley Ring is more than a symbol 鈥� it represents a lifelong connection to the Faculty of Agriculture.
Percy and his family weren't the only ones turning the annual gathering into an intergenerational affair.听
Leah Newcombe received her ring alongside her dad, Scott Newcombe (鈥�92), Uncle Ian Newcombe (鈥�88), Aunt Andrea Palmer (鈥�96), as well as Andrea鈥檚 dad, Allan Palmer (鈥�66).
鈥淎griculture is a huge part of my family which includes a lot of AC alumni,鈥� explained Leah, an animal science major currently working as a farm consultant with dairy farmers in western Nova Scotia.听
Leah, second from right, with her family and Dean Bruce, far left.
"They are my biggest role models and inspirations. Receiving our rings together made the moment very memorable and meaningful to celebrate not just my journey but the shared passion for agriculture."
Leah hopes to one day purchase her own dairy farm and continue building her career in the industry.
'Aggie at heart'
As part of the Faculty of Agriculture's ring tradition, the Alumni Association allows for an honorary ring to be presented annually during Barley Party to an individual who does not meet the criteria to be eligible for a Barley Ring but who is extremely deserving of the honour.听
This year's recipient, Dr. Sam Asiedu, was selected for his outstanding contributions to the Faculty community and reflecting the characteristics of an Ag alumni.
鈥淪am is very deserving of the honorary Barley Ring as he is an Aggie at heart,鈥� said Breagh Ross, vice-chair of the Agriculture Alumni Association and Class of 2015. 鈥淗e was the type of professor that taught with a huge smile on his face and always made sure his students had knowledge and hands-on experience in each of his classes."听
See some more images of the party below
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