Veal Farmers of Ontario announces leadership for 2024

Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) is pleased to announce the re-election of Middlesex County veal producer Philip Kroesbergen as Chair and Dylan Yantzi as Vice Chair, at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors.

Kroesbergen, who joined the VFO Board in 2017, farms full-time with his father and brother near Strathroy. Their family operation, Creekside Acres, has been producing veal exclusively for over 30 years. Kroesbergen previously served as Vice Chair in 2020, returning to the Executive in the fall of 2022.

“It is a privilege to lead this sector, and I am pleased that our board is now full,” says Kroesbergen. “As Chair, I look forward to the year ahead as we implement our new strategic plan and focus our attention on the issues, initiatives, and projects that will best support our members and our industry.”

Yantzi, who was appointed to the VFO Board in 2021, raises veal cattle near Tavistock with his family.

“As Vice Chair, I look forward to working with my fellow directors to strategically address issues directly impacting dairy calf and veal cattle producers,” says Yantzi. “Continued collaborations with our industry partners and colleagues will be a focus for the organization in the coming year as we work together on key issues impacting the Ontario agri-food sector.”

Kroesbergen, along with Judy Dirksen (Harriston) and Tom Oudshoorn (Auburn) were acclaimed to the VFO Board at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on March 13 in Elora, Ontario and will serve three-year terms. Oudshoorn has previously served on the VFO Board of Directors from 2015-2016 when the organization transitioned from the Ontario Veal Association.

Joining the VFO Board of Directors is Cory Streicher, a veal cattle producer from the Newton-area. Streicher fills a one-year appointment by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, that will end at the 2025 AGM.

Returning to the eight member VFO Board of Directors are Aaron Keunen (Palmerston) and Kurtis Moesker (Stratford).

“I would like to thank our Board of Directors for their leadership and service to the Ontario veal industry,” says Kroesbergen. “We look forward to the perspective Tom and Cory will bring to the Board and I am pleased to see the diversity of veal production in our industry represented on the Board. We have a great group of people committed to serving our industry.”

Read the full news release here.