FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Thursday, March 16, 2006
ONTARIO VEAL RE-ELECTS PRESIDENT JUDY DIRKSEN
(Guelph) The Ontario Veal Association
(OVA) is pleased to announce that Judy Dirksen has been re-elected to the position
of OVA President at the organization’s inaugural board meeting held in Guelph
recently.
A board member since 2001 and serving as President since 2005, Judy continues
her role of OVA President into 2006. Judy is a very active member of the agricultural
industry and her community. Among her many activities, Judy is a Councillor for
the Town of Minto, a graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program,
and the Dairy Educator for Wellington County.
“I look forward to a challenging year ahead. With a number of projects and challenges
that the OVA board will be dealing with, it will be an exciting year,” stated
Dirksen. “Number one on our priority list this year is to complete our submission
to the Farm Products Marketing Commission in order to function as a veal marketing
board,” she added.
Judy and Dick Dirksen, along with their three grown children, operate Dircrest
Holsteins near Harriston. The Dirksens have raised veal for over 20 years raising
approximately 700 grain-fed calves annually. The family also cash crops and operates
a custom farming operation.
Ian Foster was re-elected to the position of OVA Vice President. Foster has been
a member of the OVA Board since 1993, holding several executive positions. Foster
is a grain-fed veal producer from Aylmer. “I look forward to continuing to work
with Ianthis year. He is very knowledgeable about the veal industry and dedicated
to its advancement,” states Dirksen.
Newly elected to the OVA board this year is Albert Hessels, a grain-fed veal
producer from Wingham. Also new to the board this year is Kendra Keels, from
the Grober/Delft Blue group of companies. Kendra was appointed to fill retiring
director Michael Cooper’s term.
Rounding out the eight member board is Brian Keunen from Drayton; Eric Nonkes
from Auburn; Nick Terpstra from Atwood; and Gord South from Palmerston. “Each
of these individuals are innovative thinkers who bring fresh ideas and approaches
to the board,” states Dirksen. “It is a great team to be working with.”
“We also want to acknowledge our retiring directors Bill Kroesbergen and Michael
Cooper. They were assets to the board and we thank them for all of their contributions
to Ontario’s veal industry,” adds Dirksen.
The OVA is a producer run organization representing Ontario’s 450+ grain-fed
and milk-fed veal producers. The OVA is responsible for marketing and promotions,
producer education, communication, government and industry partner relations,
and research and industry development.
For more information contact:
Marianne Fallis, Communications Coordinator at (519) 824-2942