There will be one new director for each organization, while the others are returning for second terms.
The new director at SaskWheat is Cameron Reich from the Craik area, about halfway between Saskatoon and Regina. BJ Haubrick from Hazenmore in the southwest will be a newcomer on the Sask Pulse Growers Board of Directors.
Returning directors at SaskWheat are Lesley Kelly, Jocelyn Velestuk and Glenn Tait. At SPG, returning directors are Terry Youzwa and Winston van Staveren.
Director profiles and additional information is below:
The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) will welcome one new and three incumbent directors to its board following a summer-long nomination period.
First-time director Cameron Reich will join returning directors Lesley Kelly, Jocelyn Velestuk, and Glenn Tait on the Sask Wheat Board of Directors. Each director will serve a four-year term, with Kelly, Velestuk, and Tait continuing into their second consecutive terms. The terms of the four directors will begin on Jan. 9, 2024, following the Sask Wheat Annual General Meeting.
Cameron Reich
Reich farms east of Craik, where he is the fourth generation to produce grain on his family’s grain farm, and is a part-time adjuster for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation. He has previous experience working for a grain terminal in Davidson, along with experience working for an agricultural technology business that operates throughout Western Canada.
Lesley Kelly
Kelly farms with her family at Watrous, where they grow wheat, canola, and lentils. She is the farmer behind the High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. Kelly’s goal in being involved in her community and agriculture is to create conversation, collaborate, and identify solutions that help make agriculture and the community stronger.
Jocelyn Velestuk
Velestuk is part owner of Velestuk Farms Inc., a family operation she runs with her husband and his parents. Her farm is a mixed operation focusing on practices that improve the soil and are based on sound agronomy to help create a more sustainable farm business. Velestuk, who has worked as an agronomist, has a background in research due to her master’s degree in soil science from the University of Saskatchewan.
Glenn Tait
Tait farms on land his great-grandfather homesteaded on near Meota in 1903. He has been farming full-time since receiving his agriculture (crop science) degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. He has served on numerous organizations, including his rural municipality council, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan’s Crop Committee, and the National Farmers Union.
September 7, 2023 (Saskatoon, SK) – Three nominees have been acclaimed to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) Board of Directors following the close of nominations in early September. BJ Haubrich of Hazenmore will join the Board of Directors in January. Terry Youzwa of Nipawin and Winston van Staveren of Creelman will each continue into their second three-year term on the Board.
“We look forward to welcoming our new Director, BJ, to the Board where they will work collaboratively in guiding SPG’s strategic direction,” says Trent Richards, SPG Board Chair. “We are also pleased to have Terry and Winston return for another term. They each bring important experience and depth to the Board.”
SPG had called for nominations for three positions on the Board of Directors and received three nominations. As such, the candidates will be acclaimed.
Corey Loessin will be departing the Board in January as he has reached his maximum term limit. Corey served ten years on the SPG Board, after being appointed for a single year, and then serving three consecutive three-year terms. “I would like to thank Corey for his time and valuable contributions to the SPG Board of Directors over the past ten years, as well as his time spent as both SPG Chair and Pulse Canada Chair during his tenure,” says Richards.
The new Directors’ terms will begin following SPG’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will be held at 3:45 PM on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, and virtually online. More information about the SPG AGM is available at saskpulse.com.
About SPG
Accountable to and funded by growers, SPG’s strategic direction is guided by a nine-member, grower-elected Board of Directors. SPG’s mission is to provide leadership for profitable growth for Saskatchewan pulses.
