Canadian Pork Council Announced new ED
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC), announced the appointment of Stephen Heckbert as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective back on December 5th, 2022. (The December edition had already been sent to press)
Fluently bilingual, Mr. Heckbert brings a deep knowledge of strategic communications, government engagement, and organizational leadership to the role. A recipient of Ottawa Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” recognition, Mr. Heckbert has spent over 25 years in government, non-profit, and academia; notably leading the Public Relations program at Algonquin College where he received an Excellence in Teaching award for his commitment to students and mentorship.
Canada is a global leader in the sustainable production of safe, nutritious pork that is in demand at home and around the world. Outside factors, such as the risk of African Swine Fever, present an ongoing threat to the growth and success of an industry that injects over $24 Billion annually to the economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs across the country. Strong communication with stakeholders as well as collaboration between industry and government are what is needed to keep the supply chains safe and Canada’s reputation as a reliable pork producer strong.
“I am excited to join the CPC and work with Canada’s pork producers to protect and grow this exceptional industry,” said Mr. Heckbert. “I look forward to connecting with members and hitting the ground running on the important issues impacting our sector.”
Mr. Heckbert will work out of the CPC’s Ottawa office, in the heart of the Nation’s Capital. •
CPC Welcomes New Chair & Vice Chair
At a recent board meeting in Banff, Alberta, on the eve of this year’s Banff Pork Forum, René Roy, a pork producer from Quebec, was elected as the new chair, and Scott Peters of Manitoba has been elected as the new first vice-chair. At the same time, Rick Bergmann, the organization’s longest-serving chair in its history, retired from the board after eight years as chair and a total of 15 years of service to the national organization.
Canadian Pork Council’s newly elected executive team is already at work, with ongoing work on the plans related to the potential response and recovery plan for an ASF disaster in Canada, as well as the CPC’s effort to draft and implement a new strategic plan in 2023. Brent Moen, from Alberta, and Jack Dewit, from British Columbia, will continue to serve the industry as Second Vice-Chair and treasurer respectively. •
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) Announces ED
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is pleased to announce that Jennifer Wright has been appointed to the role of Executive Director.
Jennifer worked with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council as a consultant for more than ten years before joining the staff in 2019. In April 2021 she was appointed to the role of Acting Executive Director. •
FCC Contributes $1.5 Million to 85 Community Projects Across Canada
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is giving $1.5 million through its FCC AgriSpirit Fund to 85 community groups across Canada to support rural capital projects.
This year, the FCC AgriSpirit Fund awarded between $5,000 and $25,000 for various community improvement initiatives that enrich the lives of residents in cities, towns or Indigenous communities with fewer than 150,000 people.
Projects varied from building washrooms for a community centre in St. Lina AB, to purchasing commercial appliance for a shelter in Grande Prairie to assisting with food banks in numerous communities. These are just a few examples of numerous projects all across Canada. •
Alberta Pork Welcomed New Director
In December Jonathan Klok was appointed to the Alberta Pork Board of Directors, as a Director at Large positon. He replaces Ard Bonthuis who had to step away for personal reasons.
Welcome Jonathan. •
Manitoba Pork Congratulates Dickson Gould
Manitoba Pork wishes to congratulate Dickson Gould, president of the Progressive Group, on receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, presented by the Lieutenant Governor, Premier and Minister Scott Johnson.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (MB) celebrates the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne, which began on February 6, 2022. The medal is a tangible way for the province of Manitoba to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada. A total of 1000 medals will be awarded at ceremonies held throughout the province during the Platinum Jubilee year. Dickson received his in mid December. •
SASK Pork Announces First Youth Ambassador the New “The Whole Hog” Program
Sask Pork launched a new youth ambassador program recently. The Whole Hog Youth Ambassador for 2023 will be 10-year-old, grade 5 student, Reise Podordeski of Marcelin, Saskatchewan. Podordeski, who lives on his family’s commercial hay farm, will create a series of videos and will attend various events across the province on behalf of Sask Pork. The Whole Hog videos will be released on the Sask Pork and Pick Pork social media channels and featured on the Sask Pork website. The videos will focus on basic consumer questions like “why do pigs usually live in barns” and more behind-the scenes content such as “what do pigs do for fun” and “why is the hog industry in Saskatchewan a big deal”.
Podhordeski first learned about the pork industry and his grandparents and father once ran a genetic female nucleus. A horse lover, he has also been actively involved with the 4-H Lighthorse Club.
“We are pleased to announce Reise as our ambassador for The Whole Hog youth ambassador program. Reise brings a natural curiosity and a keen interest in the hog industry to the role,” said Sask Pork General Manager Mark Ferguson. “The Whole Hog youth ambassador program is a great opportunity to bring a youthful energy to the industry and create engaging and education material. This young influencer program will bring increased transparency to hog production, and remove the barriers to the public to better understand the industry.”
Funding for The Whole Hog youth ambassador program was made possible through the Agriculture Awareness Initiative Program under the Canadian Agriculture Partnership. Visit saskpork.com and follow @SaskPork and @PickPorkSK for updates of The Whole Hog youth ambassador program. •
Alberta Farm Animal Care Introduces New Executive Director
Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) recently announced that after five eventful years as Executive Director, Annemarie Pedersen will be stepping down from the organization. As of January 1, 2023, taking the helm is AFAC’s Marketing and Communications Lead, Kaylee Healy.
Healy joined the AFAC team in the fall of 2019 as a Marketing and Communications Intern thanks to a grant from the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). Her first task was transitioning AFAC from a physical workspace to a virtual operational model. Little did Healy and the AFAC team know at the time, the transition would prove critical in the face of a pandemic that no one saw coming.
As the world emerges from three unprecedented years to a new post-pandemic norm, Healy is now ready to usher AFAC into the next era. •
