News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guelph, April 8, 2009 – Wilma Jeffray from Grey Bruce County was elected as Chair of Ontario Pork for a one-year term at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting in Guelph yesterday. This was the first time in the 63-year history of the Board that a woman was voted in as Chair. Together with Vice Chair, Mary-Ann Hendrikx from Middlesex, they will lead the 2009 Board of Directors.
“This will be a significant year in our history. We have a strong Board that is focused and prepared to lead our industry forward says Wilma Jeffray, Chair. “We recognize the challenges that lie ahead and want to work with all our partners to do what is best for producers and the market in general.”
Ontario Pork also elected its Executive Committee. In addition to Wilma Jeffray and Mary-Ann Hendrikx, Beth Clark of Simcoe County, Oliver Haan of Northumberland-Quinte, Steve Illick of Wellington County, and Curtiss Littlejohn of the Golden Horseshoe make up the Executive.
Yesterday’s meeting saw a new Zone A Director and four new District Directors at the Board table following elections. Former Huron County Director, Teresa Van Raay takes over districts one through six as Director of Zone A. Doug Ahrens is the new representative for Perth County, District 4, replacing Phil Anwender. Together Doug and his wife Kim have three children and four grandchildren. He operates a 600 sow farrow-to-partial finish farm on 400 acres of land. As Director and Adjuster for Tradition Mutual Insurance in Sebringville and a Councillor for the Perth County Pork Producers, Doug brings several years of experience to his new role.
Amy Cronin of Huron County is the new representative for District 3, taking over for Teresa Van Raay. Amy farms with her husband Mike and six young children near Bluevale. She enjoys and understands the challenges of owning and operating a 3500 sow operation and in April will graduate with class 12 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). Amy brings her experience of the North American hog market to the Board.
Greg Haskett was elected as the new representative for Oxford County, District 5. He replaces Jasper Vanderbas. Greg has two children and operates a 500 sow farrow-to-weaner farm. His involvement in the community includes volunteering with the local fire department and Red Cross. As a previous AALP graduate, Greg has been an active member of Oxford County as a Councillor and the Ontario Pork Industry Council as a Director.
John Lammers from Lambton County was elected to represent District 1. He takes over for Bill Wymenga. John and his wife Teresa of 24 years farm 700 acres of land and a 500 sow farrow-to-finish operation. John’s involvement in the Lambton Pork Producer Association and the Lambton County Soil and Crop Improvement Association have prepared him for his new role as Director.
Ontario Pork represents the 2800 farmers who market hogs in the province in many areas, including hog marketing, research, government representation, environmental issues, consumer education and food quality assurance. The pork industry in Ontario accounts for 33,000 jobs, and it is estimated that total industry output from farm gate sales is worth $4.7 billion to the Ontario economy. Visit Ontario Pork’s website: www.ontariopork.on.ca
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Contact: Keith Robbins, Director, Communications and Consumer Marketing
Phone: 519-767-4600
Email: comm@ontariopork.on.ca
