‘Ultimate Volunteer’ used as words to describe 2015 winner of Outstanding Dairy Women Service Award.
The Ontario Holstein Branch is pleased to congratulate Karen Velthuis of Riverdown Holsteins near Metcalfe, as the winner of the 2015 Outstanding Dairy Women Service Award.
Velthuis was honoured at the Ontario Holstein Branch’s Annual General Meeting, held in Orillia in February. Established in 2011, and sponsored by the Ontario Holstein Branch, the annual award recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of Ontario women who have devoted their lives to serving, promoting and enhancing the dairy industry. Nancy Beerwort, 2013 winner, 2014 winner, Sandy O’Hara and Heather Parkin, recognized Velthuis with a framed print and a bouquet of flowers at the meeting. Before presenting the award, Parkin spoke of the various qualities that led to Velthuis’s selection as this year’s winner. “When I went over our winner’s nomination, I had the feeling that she was the ultimate volunteer,” says Parkin.
Karen has always been active in the 4-H program, starting out as a member and moving on to become a leader for over 25 years. Her reference stated that she has been extremely generous with her time volunteering with 4-H. She encourages rural and urban youth to participate in the program and regularly supplies members with calves and equipment. Karen strives for excellence and encourages the members to do their best to achieve their goals. She also coaches the county Classic team at the Royal each year as well as hosting and conducting a judging clinic at her farm for 150 young people.” Karen is the co-chair for the county Holstein show, as well as the 4-H Championship Show. She was a member of the Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec Championship Show committee for 30 years and now serves as a liaison between the committee and the local ag society, where it is held.”
She worked on 3 National Holstein Convention committees. As an employee of EBI for 5 years, Karen toured many foreign visitors to farms in eastern Ontario, and worked at the Semex display at World Dairy Expo promoting the Canadian kind.
Karen has a passion for black and whites. Her daughter says you just have to look at the décor in their house. Not only does she have a passion for animals, I believe she has a real passion for young people. She also encourages 4-H’ers to do Youth Leader projects, helping them to become more confident and giving them the organizational skills to become leaders in their community.” Somehow Karen still finds time to play hockey in the winter and ball hockey in the summer. When her family was younger, she coached and volunteered for their teams. She taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school, and it sounds like she is the go to person when there is a shower to host, baking for catering events, or whatever else may be needed in their community.”
Karen is fiercely competitive and not afraid to take on any challenge. Her daughter says, she is the busiest person she knows, but she always has time to help out anyone who needs it. She is a fine example of the old saying, ‘If you want a job to be well done, give it to a busy person’.” With all her volunteering, Karen is first a full time farmer with her husband, John and handles almost any job on the farm. Her family has been great supporters of their local Holstein club and has graciously offered their farm as hosts for many club events and tours. Karen was the first woman to serve as a director for the Holstein Ontario Branch; has been instrumental in the planning of the Inter-County Judging Competition when in Eastern Ontario; and has judged many county 4-H shows in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, as well as doing many showmanship clinics. Karen has been awarded the Women’s Institute National Woman of Excellence Award and her family has earned their Master Breeder Award.”