Amanda AllenAmanda is 24 years old and works for Select Sires Canada as a Sales Representative. She grew up on a dairy farm outside of Vankleek Hill, Ontario, where her father, uncle, grandfather and great-uncle continue to farm today. They currently milk 150 Holstein cows in a free stall parlour which they recently switched to from a robotic milking system. Along with working for Select Sires Canada, Amanda enjoys being a leader of two 4-H dairy clubs and being involved on her local fair board, the Vankleek Hill Agricultural. As well, she is a member of the local Holstein Club and Coordinator of the local Queen of the Furrow competition. She is also a certified figure skating coach and coaches from September to April.
Courtney Connors
Courtney Connors is a twenty-one year old recent International Business graduate and agricultural enthusiast. She resides in Hawkesbury, Ontario, where her family manages a dairy operation, milking predominately Jersey cows. Being a member of 4-H for ten years has allowed Courtney to gain leadership skills and the importance of a teamwork approach. She is a Junior Member of Holstein Canada (Tiara Holsteins) and had her first home-bred in September 2009. In addition, she was recently named the Ontario Queen of the Furrow. In April 2011, Courtney graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of International Business (Honours) with a concentration in International Marketing and Trade and a minor in French.
Christina Crowley is a dairy farmer’s daughter and active advocate for the Canadian dairy industry. Born and raised in Hastings, ON, Christina is still actively involved with her family’s dairy farm, Crovalley Holsteins, where they milk 70 purebred Holstein cows with 200 head in total. Christina is specifically involved in the marketing and promotion of genetics, livestock, and embryos sold worldwide at Crovalley. A graduate of the 4-H program, Christina’s passion for agriculture led her to the University of Guelph where she received a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Agricultural Business with a specialization in Agricultural Communications. Her passion for agricultural communications helped her become the 2007 Senior Champion of the Canadian Young Speakers for Agricultural (CYSA) public speaking competition. She has also received her Certificate in Leadership from the University of Guelph. Christina has had the opportunity to travel abroad and see other country's dairy systems, when she represented Canada at the 2009 European Young Breeders School in Belgium. Here, she was named Grand Champion showperson.Christina has previous experience with the Government of Ontario, working in the Deputy Minister’s Office at ServiceOntario. In her spare time, Christina can be found public speaking, following politics, enjoying the outdoors, showing cows, blogging, and traveling. Christina is currently the Editor of Info Holstein with Holstein Canada — Canada’s largest dairy breed organization.
Robert Larmer
Robert was raised on a small dairy farm in Blackstock, Ontario. He and his parents continue farming approximately 500 acres of crops and milk 30 head of registered Holstein cattle. Until 1981 when the first Holstein was purchased, the herd was 100% Guernsey. Today, the herd consists of 100% Holsteins from families including descendants of Northcroft Ella Elevation, Condon Aero Sharon, Westkal Inspiration May, and Regancrest PR Barbie. Robert received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph in 2007 where his major was animal biology with a focus on dairy nutrition. After graduation,
Robert worked as a Dairy Specialist with the nutrition company
Grand Valley Fortifiers for just over a year before joining Pioneer Hi-Bred in the summer of 2008 as the Dairy Key Accounts Manager for Canada. Robert is responsible for providing technical leadership for on-farm nutritional troubleshooting as well as how Pioneer nutritionally profiles and develops corn, alfalfa and forage and grain additive products to meet the needs of the livestock industry. He works closely with both Pioneer management and sales representatives to ensure the needs of Canada’s dairy producers are being met by Pioneer brand products. Robert resides in Blackstock, Ontario with his fiancé Katelyn McEachren.
Robert worked as a Dairy Specialist with the nutrition company
Grand Valley Fortifiers for just over a year before joining Pioneer Hi-Bred in the summer of 2008 as the Dairy Key Accounts Manager for Canada. Robert is responsible for providing technical leadership for on-farm nutritional troubleshooting as well as how Pioneer nutritionally profiles and develops corn, alfalfa and forage and grain additive products to meet the needs of the livestock industry. He works closely with both Pioneer management and sales representatives to ensure the needs of Canada’s dairy producers are being met by Pioneer brand products. Robert resides in Blackstock, Ontario with his fiancé Katelyn McEachren.
Edward Rusenstrom
Edward Rusenstrom was born and raised on Rusendale Farms Inc., where he is co-owner with his father in Bristol, Quebec. A graduate from Farm Management & Technology at Macdonald College, Edward has been managing the Rusendale herd since 2001. In 2007, he co-founded Affinity Genetics and began breeding and marketing elite Holsteins worldwide. Edward and his wife, Tara raise their three boys Carson (8), Bennett (3), and Pierce (2) on the main farm. Edward sits on the board of the regional milk producer syndicate, Shawville Minor Hockey, and on the board of Promutuel La Vallee insurance.
