Ontario Pork Chair and Vice-Chair Elected (2024)

Apr 15, 2024

GUELPH, ONTARIO – The Ontario Pork Board of Directors welcomes incoming Chair Tara Terpstra, a producer from Huron County and Vice-Chair Bruce Hudson, a producer from Ottawa Valley.

Both have deep roots in the farming community and share an interest in advancing the industry. Terpstra previously served as Vice-Chair of Ontario Pork, while Hudson served as an active member of the Board.

Former Board Chair John de Bruyn completed his term after serving as Chair for 13 years. Philip Van Raay, TJ Murray, and Eric Schwindt will serve as at large Board member positions. They join other board members Karen Sanders, Tanya Terpstra, Arno Schober, and Jolanda Van Den Broek.

“I’m deeply honoured and excited to embark on this journey”, said Terpstra. “Serving as the Chair of Ontario Pork offers a unique chance to champion the needs of pork producers in animal care, risk management, processing, and other areas. I look forward to working with pork producers and industry on fostering collaboration and unity within the pork sector, as we navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities to create a thriving, sustainable future for all involved.”

Source : Ontario Pork

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Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture indicates that 75% of all farms operating in Canada operate as sole proprietorships or family partnerships. While incorporated farms make up just over a third of Canadian farm operations most of those are also family-run corporations. If the issue of farm succession planning is not on the minds of Canadian farm producers, it probably should be. That same Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture indicates that the average age of a Canadian farmer is 56 years of age with the 55 plus age group becoming the fastest growing segment in Canadian agriculture.

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