Mississauga, March 22, 2023 – Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) re-elected Scott Helps as its Chair and Dan Veldman as its Vice Chair at a special meeting held in conjunction with their 58th Annual General Meeting in Niagara Falls on March 9. Scott Brookshaw and Marcel Laviolette were also re-elected to the Executive.
Scott Helps, an egg farmer from Wyoming, Ontario has been on EFO’s Board since 2012 and has been Chair since 2020. Dan Veldman, an egg farmer from Embro, Ontario has been on EFO’s Board since 2011 and Vice Chair since 2020.
After pivoting to virtual meetings during the pandemic and postponing the 57th Annual General Meeting due to avian influenza, more than 350 egg and pullet farmers, as well as industry stakeholders, were finally able to come together in Niagara Falls for this annual March event.
Premier Doug Ford sent video greetings to the group, while Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson brought greetings on behalf of the Ministry in person. Other speakers included Egg Farmers of Canada Chair Roger Pelissero, Jean-Philippe Gervais from Farm Credit Canada, Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission Vice Chair Valerie Gilvesy, Farm Products Council of Canada Chair Brian Douglas, National Young Farmers Program Delegates Brett Graham and Jacob Pelissero and Industry Working Group Co-Chair Kristen Thompson-Dow.
The evening banquet recognized Tonya Haverkamp as the 2023 recipient of the Get Cracking Award. The award was created in 2003 to recognize individuals who have had a profound impact on the egg and pullet industry. Tonya, an egg farmer from the Listowel area, was selected for her eggs-ceptional dedication to advocating on behalf of all Ontario egg and pullet farmers – whether it be in the area of media relations, government relations or consumer outreach, she can be found telling the story of the egg, from farm to table.
Helps thanked industry for their continued collaboration on issues that impact Ontario egg and pullet farmers. “This is a strength of our sector and we value your contributions,” said Helps.
EFO’s Board of Directors for 2023-2024 are as follows:
Scott Helps, Zone 1
Lorne Benedict, Zone 2
Dan Veldman, Zone 3
Roger Pelissero, Zone 4
Brian Miller, Zone 5
Sally Van Straaten, Zone 6
Scott Brookshaw, Zone 7
George Pilgrim, Zone 8
Ian McFall, Zone 9
Marcel Laviolette, Zone 10
Alvin Brunsveld, Pullet Director
