AgSafe, British Columbia’s agricultural health and safety association, held their first ever election for directors of the board at the annual general meeting on April 8.
Interim board chair Don Dahr and executive director Wendy Bennett presented a slate of seven candidates to AgSafe members. The members voted to accept the slate; AgSafe’s new board of directors includes:
- Don Dahr (director, agriculture safety);
- Andrea van Iterson (director, feed lot member);
- Krista Harris (director, egg producer member);
- David Nguyen (director, mushroom member);
- Paula Baxter (director, nursery member);
- Ajay Randhawa (director, young farmer/greenhouse member); and
- Jennifer Ross (director, worker representative).
AgSafe board members bring informed decision-making skills, a broad knowledge base and an inclusive perspective. Applications were welcomed from individuals with extensive experience in agriculture and/or safety, as well as individuals with less experience but who are looking to learn about governance and leadership.
“As an organization that works with all B.C. agricultural producers, we want a Board that represents and understands our membership and the community that our safety consultants and advisors work with every day.”
–Wendy Bennett, AgSafe Executive Director
In 2020, AgSafe adopted a new set of bylaws and officially changed its name to “AgSafe Agriculture Association.” Also in 2020, an elected transitional board developed new policies and procedures, including a process for electing directors to the board that would position the organization to move in a new direction.
AgSafe had other good news to share as well. WorkSafeBC 2019 injury data (the most recent data available) showed that the historical injury rate of >2.5 dropped significantly. The serious injury rate also showed a decline, indicating improved safety initiatives throughout agricultural operations in the province. With more than 24,000 workers in the agriculture subsectors in 2019, a reduction in the number of time loss claims is something agricultural employers and workers can be proud of.
** Injury rate indicates the number of people out of 100 who sustained a time loss injury.
Visit https://agsafebc.ca/about/governance/ to read more about AgSafe’s new board of directors.
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