Board of Directors

Craig McLaughlin resides in the Whitewater Region of Renfrew County where he operates a cow-calf and backgrounding beef farm. Craig has a strong passion and interest in resource preservation and protecting soils and biodiversity through cattle grazing. Craig served as Advisory Councillor for Renfrew County for a number of years and also serves in the role of Supervisor for two local feeder finance co-operatives. Additionally, Craig represents BFO as a Director for the Canadian Cattle Association.

Three year term ends in 2026.

Jason Leblond and his family operate a 35-head commercial grass-fed cow-calf beef farm in the Township of Chisholm, near Powassan. Jason began farming in 2006 with four cows, and has since expanded the family farm with the aim of growing to 100 cows. Jason is a Certified Engineering Technologist and has been involved in a number of agricultural organizations, including the East Nipissing Parry Sound Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Muskoka/Parry Sound/Nipissing Beef Farmers. Additionally, Jason represents BFO as a Director for the Canadian Cattle Association.

Three year term ends in 2024.

Joost and his family operate a cow-calf-to-finish beef farm with a herd of full blood, purebred and commercial Limousin cattle in Perth County. They also operate a custom farming business with a broad range of services. Joost is a current member of the Perth County Beef Farmers' Association, and is very passionate about connecting with the public about raising beef cattle in Ontario. 

Three year term ends in 2026.

Don Hargrave lives on a fourth-generation beef farm in Grey County that he operates with his brother and family. Don maintains 100 purebred black and red Angus cows, sells 20-25 bulls and 30 females per year, and finishes the balance for a branded-beef program. He also grows grain crops, hay forage crops, and pasture. Don is a director with the Grey County Beef Farmers, chairperson of the Grey Dufferin Community Pasture, president with the Ontario Association of Community Pastures, and past director of the Ontario Angus Association.

Three year term ends in 2026.

Don Badour and his family farm near the town of Perth in Lanark County. Together, they own and operate a cow-calf beef farm with 60 Hereford/Red Angus cross cows. They also grow corn and soybeans, as well as providing custom no-till planting, haying and combining services. In addition to the work on his own farm and through his custom business, Don also transports livestock. Don has experience serving as a representative for a number of agriculture organizations, including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Lanark County Cattlemen's Association. Don currently sits as a director with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef

Three year term ends in 2025.

Jim and his family operate a 50-head commercial Charolais cow-calf herd that is VBP+ certified in Simcoe County. They background half of their calves and finish the remainder for the local freezer beef market. Jim is a VBP+ Auditor and has audited farms from Thunder Bay to Sarnia, as well as through the Maritimes. Jim worked for Honda Canada Manufacturing for 30 years with the last 10 years spent as Purchasing Quality Manager. Jim is very active in his community, including roles with the Simcoe County Beef Farmers, as well as the church, community hall, minor hockey, curling, and other community initiatives.

Three year term ends in 2027.

Joe Dickenson resides in Lambton County on a 70-cow birth-to-beef farm he purchased in 2008. Joe graduated from the University of Guelph and has been involved in the beef sector since beginning as a 4-H member when he was 13. He also runs a small grain crop and baling operation. Joe is a member of the Lambton County Cattlemen’s Association and was previously a director-at-large with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, President of the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario, and the Ontario/Quebec representative of the Canadian Young Farmers Forum.

Three year term ends in 2025.

Jairus, and his family, background and finish close to 3,000 head of cattle per year and farm 2,500 acres in Bruce County. They also operate a 300,000 bushel on-farm storage and elevator facility. Jairus has previous management experience in the insurance sector, and has also been a long-time member of the Bruce County Beef Farmers and local feeder cattle co-op. 

Three year term ends in 2026.

Tom farms with his brothers near Ailsa Craig, Ontario, where they have 2,000 head on feed at the home farm in addition to many custom fed cattle.  He is a past chair of the Veal Farmers of Ontario and during his tenure negotiated the change to the upper weight limit for veal. Tom is also a past Vice Chair of the Canadian Veal Association, and is currently a director on the Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association.

Three year term ends in 2027.

Ron Stevenson and his family operate a commercial cow-calf and grass yearling operation in Huron & Bruce Counties. In addition to Ron's role as a director with BFO, Ron also currently serves as vice chair for the Beef Cattle Research Council.  As an active member of his community he has been involved with a number of local organizations, the fire department, optimist club, minor hockey, 4-H and the Huron County Beef Producers. 

Three year term ends in 2025.

Kim Jo resides near Emo, Ontario where she has a 50-head cow-calf beef farm and a small sheep flock. In addition to juggling life on the farm and her job with the Ontario Crops Research Centre - Emo, operated by the University of Guelph, Kim Jo is also involved in many community organizations including the local hospital foundation and the Rainy River sales barn and abattoir.

Three year term ends in 2025.

Ralph and his family operate Eyre Farms Limited just outside Brigden, Ontario. The operation consists of 60 commercial cow-calf pairs where they background their own calves and either sell them as yearlings or finish them, depending on the market. The farm custom feeds about 1,800 steers each year in a new barn built in 2016, in addition to cash cropping approximately 2,000 acres. Over the years, Ralph has been involved with and held various positions with  a number of organizations both in the beef sector and the broader agricultural community, most notably the Lambton Cattlemen's Association, Lambton Beef Breeder Co-op, and the former Ontario Cattlemen's Association (now BFO).

Three year term ends in 2027.

Emily is a graduate of the University of Guelph and has a career in agriculture retail, which has allowed her to expand her knowledge of agriculture through crop inputs and animal nutrition. She is also an alumni of 4-H Ontario, and a former beef club leader in eastern Ontario. During her time with  BFO, she hopes to  celebrate the diversity of the Ontario beef sector and attract the next generation of beef enthusiasts.