Two new representatives from the Alberta pork industry have joined our board of directors, by acclamation: Alastair Bratton and Sandra Spruit, who will replace Brent Moen and Craig Thompson, both of whom have completed two consecutive three-year terms.
Board director nominations were accepted starting in November 2023, ending in January 2024, and each director will begin his and her first term in April 2024. Alberta Pork's fellow directors, staff and producers would like to thank Brent and Craig for their service.
Alastair is the head of production for Sunterra Farms. He has previously managed farms and oversaw multiplier sites for Maple Leaf Farms, Verus Alliance and, more recently, Olymel.
Originally from the U.K., his first experience was as a part-time worker on a 600-sow multiplier farm. This is where his interest in animal science and husbandry began, leading him to complete a Degree in Animal Science at Harper Adams Agricultural University. After graduating, he worked on a variety of farms covering both indoor and outdoor production, including organic units.
Alastair has served as Chair of the Red Deer Swine Technology Workshop since 2016, is President of Alberta Pork Congress and serves on the Pork committee for the Calgary Stampede.
Sandra and her husband own and operate Spruit farms, a 2,100-sow unit in Red Deer County, with several grow-to-finish locations in central Alberta. With her previous experience of other board positions and being a hog farmer for more than two decades, she brings a lot of knowledge to the table and is looking forward to even more learning opportunities.
Originally from the Netherlands, she and her husband have raised five kids, and now that they have become more independent, she is ready to take the next steps to make a positive difference in the industry.
She is passionate about engaging younger generations interested in hog farming, not only within the agriculture community, but along with other non-farming populations in Alberta.
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