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Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, your go-to source for inside stories, cutting-edge research,

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and the latest updates in the world of dairy farming.

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In our 166th episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Blois Thompson, Prince Edward Island's

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deputy premier, who still milks cows at 4.30 a.m. before heading to Parliament.

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From breeding world-class Holsteins to championing agricultural policy, Thompson's story proves

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that effective leadership grows from getting your hands dirty before dawn.

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So, grab a glass of milk, sit back, and let's explore how one man's journey from the milking

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parlor to the legislature is reshaping agricultural policy in Canada.

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Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast.

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I'm Douglas.

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Today, we're bringing you an incredible story about a man who proves the best agricultural

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leaders get their boots dirty before dawn.

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And I'm Bellot, dairy industry analyst.

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Today, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Blois Thompson, PEI's deputy premier, who

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still milks cows at 4.30 a.m. before heading to Parliament.

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Picture this.

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It's 4.30 a.m. at Eastside Farm.

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The smell of fresh sawdust mingles with morning fog as Blois Thompson makes his way through

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the barn.

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His well-worn boots leave familiar tracks in the bedding as he moves with purpose between

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rows of Holsteins.

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In just three hours, he'll trade those work boots for dress shoes and head to the legislature.

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But first, there are cows to be milked.

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What's remarkable about Thompson's story, Douglas, is that this isn't just about maintaining

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connections to his farming roots.

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It's about bringing authentic agricultural wisdom to government.

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And in 2019, he achieved what many thought impossible, unseating the sitting premier

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of Prince Edward Island by just 104 votes.

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But those who knew Thompson weren't surprised.

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Exactly.

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His campaign wasn't built on political rhetoric, but on the same values that made him successful

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in dairy farming.

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Attention to detail, genuine community connection, and the ability to tackle complex challenges

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head on.

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As a baseball coach and church elder, he was already deeply woven into the community fabric.

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What strikes me most is how Thompson approaches both roles with the same dedication.

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Whether he's analyzing D.H.I. records or reviewing legislation, he brings that farmer's

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perspective of paying attention to the small details while never losing sight of the bigger

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picture.

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Let's talk about where Blois Thompson's story began, at Eastside Farm, located 10 kilometers

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northeast of Charlottetown.

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This isn't just any dairy operation.

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It's a three-generation legacy of agricultural excellence that Thompson has transformed into

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a globally recognized brand.

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What's fascinating about Thompson's early years, Douglas, is how he combined formal

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education from Dalhousie Agricultural College with generations of practical wisdom.

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But it was his innovative spirit that truly set him apart.

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His most notable achievement was co-breeding Eastside Louisdale Gold Missy EX95, who dominated

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both the World Dairy Expo and Royal Winter Fair as grand and supreme champion.

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But what really showcases his creative thinking was his unique approach to promoting the industry.

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Absolutely.

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For over 20 years, Thompson organized professional photo shoots featuring his prized Holsteins

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against P.E.I.'s most stunning backdrops, from the red sand beaches of Blooming Point

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to the historic grounds of Providence House.

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These photos, later compiled into a coffee table book, demonstrated his ability to think

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beyond traditional farming boundaries.

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His expertise in bovine livestock breeding took him far beyond P.E.I.'s shores, sharing

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knowledge with dairy communities across the United States, Japan, and Portugal.

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This deep understanding of both the science and art of dairy farming earned him a seat

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on the Genetic Evaluation Board of the Canadian Dairy Network.

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What's remarkable is how Thompson maintained his connection to the local community even

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as his reputation grew internationally.

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He coached baseball and served as vice president of Old Home Week, showing that success didn't

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mean leaving his roots behind.

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His daughter once shared an interesting insight about their calves' personalities.

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What did she observe?

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She could tell a calf's disposition from birth.

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If they wanted to cuddle, they were friendly and optimistic.

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If they ran to the back of the pen, they were more cautious.

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This kind of intuitive understanding of animals would later prove valuable in both Thompson's

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farming and political careers.

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What motivated a successful dairy farmer with international recognition to enter politics?

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The story begins with a crowd of frustrated farmers in October 2019 when Thompson helped

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organize a vocal rally opposing the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

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It wasn't ambition that drove Thompson into politics.

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It was a deep sense of duty to his community and perfect timing.

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His mother's long involvement in political organizing had planted those seeds early.

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But the real catalyst came after that rally when fellow farmers began suggesting he should

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run for office.

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The path wasn't obvious for someone so dedicated to Holstein genetics and herd management.

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But Thompson's unique ability to connect with people and explain complex issues in relatable

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terms set him apart.

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His campaign against sitting Premier Wade McLaughlin was truly a David versus Goliath

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battle.

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Thompson admits it was daunting, nerve-racking in his words.

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But he approached it with the same determination he brought to farming, running a grassroots

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campaign that focused on door-to-door connections rather than traditional political tactics.

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Thompson's victory by just 104 votes sent shockwaves through PEI politics.

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But those who knew him weren't surprised.

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The same attention to detail that helped him develop world-class Holstein genetics proved

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invaluable in connecting with voters.

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"'Farming taught me about hard work, perseverance and humility, values I carried to the doorstep

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of every voter,' Thompson reflects.

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His triumph wasn't just in winning the election, but in proving that authentic leadership rooted

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in farming values could resonate with voters."

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Within days of his historic victory, Thompson was back at the National Holstein Convention,

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demonstrating his commitment to staying connected to his agricultural roots even as he prepared

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to enter government.

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Serious.

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Let's dive deep into the concrete changes Blois Thompson has brought to PEI's agricultural

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sector since taking office in 2023.

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His approach combines practical farming experience with innovative policymaking.

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The numbers tell a powerful story, Douglas.

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Under Thompson's leadership, PEI has launched a $1.4 million Agriculture Energy Systems pilot

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program in February 2025, helping farmers reduce costs while promoting environmental sustainability.

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And he's tackling the labor crisis head on, isn't he?

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Absolutely.

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Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Thompson has secured over $300,000

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for the Agriculture Labor Subprogram to address the projected 114,000 worker shortage by 2025.

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The program includes innovative solutions like ESL resources and childcare support for

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farm workers.

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One of his most impactful initiatives came from personal experience within the farming

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community.

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Yes.

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After losing a fellow dairyman to suicide, Thompson championed FarmersTalk.ca, the first

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mental health resource specifically designed for PEI farmers and their families.

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It's a powerful example of how he transforms personal understanding into meaningful policy.

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His environmental initiatives are particularly interesting.

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Can you break those down?

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Thompson has implemented a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability that actually

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benefits farmers economically.

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This includes the new Soil Health Initiative launched in 2024, energy efficiency programs

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specifically for farmers, water access improvements, a $46 million investment in sustainable agriculture

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announced in September 2023.

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And what about his work on trade issues?

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As vice chair of the PEI Cabinet Committee on US Relations, Thompson has been instrumental

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in reestablishing trade markets during imposed restrictions.

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He's particularly focused on protecting local dairy interests in trade agreements while

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ensuring PEI farmers have access to international markets.

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These achievements show how Thompson's dual perspective as both farmer and politician

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allows him to create policies that work in the real world.

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In his modest office overlooking Charlottetown, Thompson's desk tells a powerful story.

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Legislative documents sit beside DHI records while his well-worn farm notebook rests next

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to official government papers.

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After six years as Minister of Agriculture, Justice and Public Safety, he continues to

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navigate these parallel paths with remarkable determination.

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Passionate Hindvijnit.

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His vision for the future of dairy farming is particularly compelling, Douglas.

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Thompson sees beyond traditional boundaries, focusing on practical solutions that will

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sustain the industry for generations to come.

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The dairy farms across the country are the backbone to our rural economies and communities,

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Thompson often says.

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And he's backing that belief with action through renewable energy initiatives and support for

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technological innovation.

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His approach to modernizing the industry is comprehensive.

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Whether it's promoting energy efficiency programs, establishing environmental stewardship

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initiatives, or fighting for fair pricing, Thompson ensures every policy considers the

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practical realities of farming.

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For farmers listening today, Thompson's journey offers a powerful lesson.

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Their hands-on experience and problem-solving skills are invaluable beyond the barn.

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His success proves that authentic agricultural leadership can transform both farming and

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politics.

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That's all for today's episode of the Bull Vine Podcast.

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Join us next week for more unfiltered conversations about the dairy industry.

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Thank you for tuning in to the Bull Vine Podcast.

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We hope you enjoyed today's inspiring story of Blois Thompson, a leader who truly understands

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the challenges and triumphs of dairy farming.

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Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review.

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Join us next time on the Bull Vine Podcast, where we continue to bring you stories that

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showcase the resilience, innovation, and dedication of the dairy community.