Meet the BC SPCA’s farm team by Craig Naherniak
Given the complex nature of farm animal welfare, two things seemed obvious as we began to plan our farm department: we needed to take an evidence-based approach and we needed people with strong knowledge of agriculture. I’m very pleased to say that all farm staff at the BC SPCA have on-farm experience and all hold degrees in agriculture.
Alyssa Bell Stoneman joined us in 2000. She has been involved in SPCA Certified since its inception and currently oversees that program. Alyssa’s long time interest in animals and the environment has also made her an asset to the organic sector and she has long advised on their standards.
In 2004, Geoff Urton was hired as he was completing an MSc. in dairy cattle welfare from UBC’s Animal Welfare Program. Geoff has taken a lead role in many of the Society’s policy initiatives. He represented the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies on the committee revising Canada’s Code of Practice for Dairy Cattle and has recently assumed this role on the National Farm Animal Care Council.
Caroline Ramsay joined in 2007 and is a key contributor to all aspects of SPCA Certified. With her restaurant background, she is passionate about educating chefs about farm animal welfare and was involved in the Society’s foie gras project. In addition to her degree in agriculture, she will soon begin articling as a Professional Agrologist.
As for myself, I grew up on a small farm and worked for years on various farm operations caring for chickens, pigs, sheep, ducks and cattle. I apprenticed as a hog farmer, eventually overseeing a small farrow to finish hog farm with 320 head. I went on to complete a Masters in environmental studies focusing on education and have worked with the SPCA for eighteen years.
Thankfully for the department, their interests and skills are different enough to bring a balance of scientific knowledge and practical experience – something this area of work demands.
|