NEWSMAKERS

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada have honoured three individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry at the 100th anniversary annual general meeting in Vancouver. The Doug Connery Award was presented to Deb Hart, vice chair of the Seed Potato Sub Committee, for her commitment and passion for the potato industry. The Honourary Life Member Award was presented to David Jones, retiring as general manager of the Canadian Potato Council, after his tireless efforts in advancing issues affecting the Canadian potato industry over the last 11 years. Finally, the Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Don Brubacher, former manager of the Ontario Potato Board, for his lifelong dedication and service to the potato industry.

Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada will continue to be helmed by Jan VanderHout, now in his third year as president. The 2023 board of directors consists of: 1st vice president: Marcus Janzen; 2nd vice-president, Albert Cramer; finance committee chair, David Hoekstra; Jason Smith (BC); Beth Connery (Prairies); Charles Stevens and Quinton Woods (ON); Jocelyn Gibouleau, Pascal Forest (QC); Gerald Dykerman, Phillip Keddy (Atlantic).

The Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association has elected new leadership for 2023. Congratulations to potato grower Shawn Brenn who becomes chair and asparagus grower Mike Chromczak who becomes vice-chair and also serves as chair of the Safety Nets Section. The management committee is completed by grape grower Matthias Oppenlaender, tender fruit grower Fred Meyers and berry grower Morris Gervais. They are supported by the following directors: Jan VanderHout (greenhouse); George Gilvesy (greenhouse); Glen Gilvesy, ginseng; Quinton Woods, fresh muck vegetables; Joann Chechalk, fresh vegetables –other); Tracy Gubbels, processing vegetables; Charles Stevens, apples. Ex-officio members are: Brian Rideout, crop protection section; Bill George, labour section; Brian Gilroy, property, infrastructure, energy and food safety section.

At the annual banquet of OFVGA, executive director Alison Robertson presented the 2023 Award of Merit to former chair Brian Gilroy. An apple grower from the Meaford area, Gilroy was president of FVGC from 2018-2022, has been involved with the OFVGA board in various capacities since 1990 and was chair of the organization from 2010 to 2012. Congratulations, Brian!

BC Cherry Association has re-elected its slate of directors for 2023. Suhkpaul Bal remains president and David A. Geen remains vicepresident. Graem Nelson remains secretary and Erin Carlson is treasurer. Directors at large are: Harman Bahniwal, Dr. David H. Geen, Richard Isaacs, Harsh Khela, Dariel Trottier and Neal Vanderhelm

BC Fruit Growers’ Association has returned Peter Simonsen as president and Sukhdeep (Deep) Brar shifts to the vice-president’s position after the passing of Jeet Dukhia Parm Dhaliwal, a southern regional executive alternate was acclaimed to fill Brar’s former position. Remaining board directors are: Ravinder Bains, Joginder Dhand, Avi Gill, Mani Gill and Annelise Simonsen

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture will be headed by Ontario sweet corn and hay farmer Keith Currie. The Collingwood, Ontario farmer will be joined by Todd Lewis, first vice-president and former president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and Pierre Lampron, second vice-president and currently president with the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

The United Potato Growers of Canada has bolstered its ranks with the rejoining of the Ontario Potato Board and Potatoes New Brunswick. Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers’ Association has joined for the first time. At the March 13 annual general meeting, new directors were elected. Wayne Rempel, Manitoba is chair, supported by Gord Medynski, Quebec as vice-chair. Matt Hemphill, New Brunswick is treasurer and Greg Donald, Prince Edward Island is secretary.