Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week is awarding its 16th annual prize to a recent graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).
Farmers’ Week Coordinator Lorie Smith says the annual $1,000 prize was awarded to Dr. Jacky Normandeau during her OVC Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024 convocation and Veterinary Oath Ceremony on June 14.
“The award recognizes new veterinarians entering food animal practices serving farmers in Grey and Bruce counties,” says Smith. “The award recognizes the winner’s past accomplishments, but also encourages their future contributions and commitment to rural communities.”
The prize is awarded in partnership with the University of Guelph.
Normandeau grew up just outside Uxbridge and despite living in a town, she is not short of farm experience. In High school she worked on a hobby farm as well as at a local dog kennel. While in university, she milked cows on a dairy farm, collected turkey eggs at a pedigree facility, and worked at a breeding facility.
“She has always wanted to drive around in a truck and not have an office where she works all day. Working on the road and visiting farmers she finds really exciting. She wants to help them with their heard health needs. She also has a strong interest in surgery and so anything she can do to help the farmer out with his heard health and any problems they encounter, she is very passionate about that,” says Smith.
Normandeau started working at Walkerton-Hanover Veterinary Clinic in May and is excited to practice in Grey Bruce.
“It’s a lovely area with very friendly people. I’m most looking forward to getting out on the road and meeting everyone at their farms to help with their production animals and horses,” says Normandeau.