Board of Directors

Jack Chaffe lives north of Mitchell with his wife, Diane, and three sons where they operate a fifth generation farm. The family runs a feedlot that markets 2,000 animals per year through the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program. Jack has a diploma in Agriculture Business Management and is involved in all aspects of the family business, from finances and herd health to the buying and selling of cattle and commodities. In addition to his role with BFO, Jack is Vice President of the Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association and serves in the role of representing Ontario on the Canadian Cattle Association Board of Directors and on the board of the Canadian Beef Check-off Agency.

Three year term ends in 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jordan and his extended family run a large commercial cow-calf operation on western Manitoulin Island. Through previous work experience, Jordan has a background in strategic plan development and execution, budget negotiations, as well as leadership development program design & implementation for young adults. 

Three year term ends in 2024.

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.

Jason Reid grew up on a mixed farm in Northumberland County where his family raised beef, dairy, and sheep. He and his wife, Trudy, later moved to Thunder Bay and have been farming there since 2003. Jason and Trudy, along with their two daughters, have 75 cow-calf pairs, 50-70  backgrounding cattle and 300 ewes. The Reid's have 600 acres of forage with all cattle marketed in the spring as grass cattle. Jason is involved in a range of activities off of the farm, which includes relief milking, operating equipment, transporting livestock and volunteering on community organizations. 

Three year term ends in 2024.

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.

Charlene resides in the Niagara region where she and her family operate a cow-calf beef farm. Her enthusiasm for farming led her to pursue an Agriculture Diploma from the University of Guelph Ridgetown College. After college, Charlene spent several years working in the grape and tender fruit industry. In the summer of 2021, Charlene started a new position with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), as their Member Service Support Representative creating resources, advocating for agriculture and providing support to Ontario farmers. Charlene is the current president of the Canadian Cattle Youth Council, which is a subsidiary of the Canadian Cattle Association.