William Donald Albright

William Donald Albright

 William Donald Albright, journalist, agriculturalist (b at South Cayuga, Ont 5 Aug 1881; d at Haney, BC 29 Apr 1946). A graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College (1903), William Albright was assistant editor of the Maritime Farmer (1903-05) and associate editor of the Farmer's Advocate (1905-13) before he homesteaded in the BEAVERLODGE area of northwestern Alberta in 1913.

Being keenly interested in the farming potential and promotion of the region, Albright immediately started conducting agricultural experiments on his own land and quickly established a contract to work part time for the CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM in Ottawa. This subsequently led to the establishment of an experimental substation on his farm in 1917. He was superintendent of the sub-station (1919-41) and director of the Beaverlodge research station (1941-45); his duties included testing potentially profitable forages, cereal crops and farming practices, and encouraging enlightened animal husbandry and the planting of gardens, small fruit, ornamental trees and bushes. William Albright also spent a great deal of time travelling throughout the region lecturing and working to demonstrate that attractive homes, good living conditions and prosperity could be maintained in the PEACE RIVER LOWLAND.

(See also RESEARCH STATIONS, AGRICULTURAL.)