Our Board

Hensall Co-op is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 10 directors elected by the membership and a secretary appointed by the directors. They are responsible for determining the basic purpose, general direction and major objectives of Hensall Co-op. They also approve all major policies and ensure the achievement of long-term objectives in accordance with general policy direction. The Board also appoints, directs and determines the responsibility of the CEO.

Hensall Co-op directors are elected to serve a three-year term of office at the Annual General Meeting usually held in late November of each year. A director can serve four continuous full terms for a total of twelve years. Specific zones have not been established for representation on the Board, however, we strive to have representation from across the trading area. We encourage all members to stand for election.

Henry Vander Burgt

Dashwood

President

Aise Van Beets

Bayfield

Vice President

Terry VanderWal

Denfield

Past President

Rob Cornelis

Ailsa Craig

Secretary

Peter Dinsmore

Gorrie

Director

Sebastian Kraft

Dungannon

Director

Carol Leeming

Seaforth

Director

Dianne Brekelmans 

Thamesford

Director

Marlene Munn

Hensall

Director

Ed Van Miltenburg

Seaforth

Director

Jason Wagg

Formosa

Director

Watch the 2022 AGM here.

Watch the 2021 AGM here.

Watch the 2020 AGM here.

Co-operative Values

The purpose of a co-operative is working together agreeably for a common purpose or goal. We exist to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in. These 7 principles have served to guide co-operatives around the world for more than 135 years:

1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training and information
6. Co-operation among co-operatives
7. Concern for community

Food Safety & Traceability

Hensall Co-op is committed to being a leader in providing consumer-focused agricultural products meeting the requirements of our valued customers. This means meeting or exceeding all applicable regulations and codes, including SQF Level 3, FSMA, SFCA, CIPRS, CGSP and Halal. We consistently seek to streamline food safety and quality programs to enhance employee competencies and create operational efficiencies. We measure quality performance and focus on process ownership to ensure we have an efficient and competent operation with a food safety focus.

We communicate best practices for the production of food-grade soybeans and dry beans, using production guidelines that outline the practices to be used in the fulfillment of production contracts. These guidelines include a list of crop protection products that are approved for use by our end-user customers as well as covering topics such as planting rates, disease & insect control, preventing contamination and harvesting. Our FieldTrace® program allows our food producers to link their fields to their crops and contracts in order to record the practices that are being used.

See our Accreditations.

Sustainability

Hensall Co-op is dedicated to not only preserving but enhancing the world in which we live. Our commitment to research and development includes reducing the impact of our business on the environment as well as educating our growers and members on the benefits of sustainability while maintaining a profitable outcome for stakeholders.

The key factors for sustainability are the reduction of greenhouse gases, power consumption, increased productivity, waste reduction, soil conservation, water conservation, biodiversity and social responsibility.

Some key strategies for achieving a sustainable future are:

• Food producers can use practices such as annual crop rotations, cover crops, soil sampling and nutrient management, minimal tillage and integrated pest management
• Ongoing research and development of varieties and methods that provide improved economic yields
• Crops are produced with inputs of the right product, at the right rate, and at the right time

Our field marketing professionals can help you make your farming operation more sustainable.

Health and Safety

Hensall Co-op is vitally interested in the health and safety of its employees. Protection of employees from injury or occupational disease is of prime concern and a major continuing objective of our management. We make every effort to provide a safe, healthy work environment.