Karen Eastman Velthius, who attended University of Guelph and completed a Bachelor of Animal & Poultry Science degree with a major in Dairy in 1983, is the recipient of the 2012 “Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award” presented by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO).

“I always knew I wanted to farm so Guelph just made sense,” explains Karen. After university Karen worked at Eastern Breeders (EBI) for five years before returning to the family farm, “Riverdown Holsteins”, near Metcalfe, Ontario. The herd of approximately 75 Holsteins has since earned her and her husband, John, a Master Breeder Award. Since returning to her home community she has contributed to the community and agriculture in countless ways.

“Karen has had and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the Royal, 4-H, the Holstein Club, and the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec Championship Shows,” says FWIO president Evelyn Peck. “Karen’s nominators feel strongly that Karen is extremely deserving of this award. She is an inspiration to so many.”

For many years, Karen has been involved with the Carleton 4-H Association as a leader. She encourages both rural and urban youth to participate in the 4-H program and has supplied members with calves and equipment so they can be part of the program she so strongly believes in. Karen strives for excellence and encourages the members to do their very best. Coaching and accompanying her 4-H members to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is something she especially enjoys. Over the years, she has also organized bus trips for her community to attend the Royal.

Karen also volunteers on the show committee in Metcalfe looking after four shows, three of which are at the Metcalfe Fair weekend. She was also involved with the Eastern Ontario-Western Quebec Championship Show as Dairy Chair and as an Ontario Branch Holstein Director for many years.

In between her time on the farm and her volunteering she still manages to see old OAC friends on a regular basis. “There is a group of us, about 10 couples, who get together every five years. We hold our own sort of reunions, and I always see quite a few Aggies at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair,” Karen explains. “There are also three or four families that have stayed in touch all the way through. Our kids are all the same ages.”

Both of Karen’s children intend to follow in her Aggie footsteps. Kelly, Karen’s eldest, is currently working towards her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Guelph, and Justin, her son, plans on attending Kemptville Campus after graduating high school.