All about the Ontario Veal Association

2010 Board of Directors

	Judy Dirksen	President
	Judy and Dick Dirksen, along with their three adult children, operate Dircrest Holsteins near Harriston. The Dirksens have raised veal for over 25 years and produce approximately 700 grain fed veal calves per year. They also crop 1000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, spring grains and hay and provide custom field work services in the area. In addition to her duties on the farm, Judy is the Deputy Mayor for the Town of Minto, is the Wellington County Dairy Educator and Chair of Worship and Music at her church, just to name a few. Judy has been a director with the OVA since 2001.

	Brian Keunen	Vice President
	Brian and Joanne Keunen, along with their 4 children, operate a milk fed and grain fed veal farm south of Drayton. With the assistance of Brian's father, they finish approximately 1,500 veal calves per year. In addition, the Keunens farm 200 acres consisting hay, wheat and soybeans. Prior to starting the veal operation in 2002, Brian earned a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph and worked for the TD Bank as an Agriculture Account Manager.

	Ian Foster	Director
	Ian and his wife Connie operate a grain fed operation in Aylmer. The Fosters, who have been producing veal for 28 years, raise approximately 250 head annually. In addition to their veal business, the Fosters crop 155 acres and rent an additional 150 acres for corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. The Fosters are active members of St. Paul's United Church in Aylmer. Ian also operates a Pride Seed dealership, volunteers with the Aylmer Fair Board and acts as Chair for Elgin County's Agriculture in the Classroom. Ian has been a Director with the OVA since 1993.

	Eric Nonkes	Director
	Eric and his wife Giena, along with their ysix children, farm near Auburn. The Nonkes family raise approximately 200 grain fed veal calves annually and crop 300 acres of wheat, corn, soybeans and hay. they have been in the veal business for over 15 years. Eric is also involved in the Huron CFFO adn his local Foodgrains Bank growing project. Eric was elected to the OVA Board in 2005.

	André Roy	Director
	André, the Nutrition and QA Manager for the Grober/Delft Blue group of companies based in Cambridge, has been working in the veal industry for 13 years. The Grober/Delft Blue group is a complete agri-food company which produces and processes milk-fed veal as well as manufactures veal feeds and specialty milk replacers for young animals in Canada and the United States. André serves on the Veal On-Farm HACCP Committee and is a member of the Veal Extension Committee of the CRAAQ. André lives in Cambridge with his wife and two sons.

	Albert Hessels	Director
	Along with his wife and three children, Albert runs a grain-fed veal farm in Wingham. Albert raises approximately 2600 veal calves a year and crops 540 acres of wheat, corn and soybeans. Albert is a CFFO member and is in his first year as a director on the OVA board. Albert was elected to the board in January 2006.

	Randy Drenth	Director
	Randy was elected to the board in January 2010.

	Tom Kroesbergen	Director
	Tom was elected to the board in January 2008.


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