Casey van de Sande
Casey van de Sande has provided steadfast leadership to Nova Scotia’s dairy industry and fellow producers. His outstanding commitment to the growth and development of rural agricultural organizations has improved the lives of farmers throughout the province.
Born in 1940 in Rucphen, The Netherlands, Casey immigrated to Canada at the age of 16. His family settled in Antigonish and began dairy farming. In 1960, Casey graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with an Advanced Farming Diploma. This same year he began his distinguished career in community service when he became a calf leader at the Brierly Brook 4-H Club.
In 1965, Casey and his wife Toosje purchased and began operating Sanhaven Farms. Casey would soon join the Board of Directors of Eastern Dairyfood, where he served for 10 years. Casey contributed broadly to cooperatives and agricultural organizations during his career, and his most extended period of service has been with the Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company. Beginning in 1969 and ending in 2011, Casey has earned recognition as the company’s longest serving Director. During his 42-year tenure, the company underwent extensive improvements including expansion of their facilities, extended coverage, and increased insurance capacity. By helping to make the company a success, Casey’s contributions have given farmers and community members an affordable alternative for their insurance needs.
Casey has lent his leadership to many other organizations, including as President of the Antigonish/Guysborough Crop Improvement Association, the Antigonish/Guysborough Federation of Agriculture, the Nova Scotia Animal Breeders Association, and the Nova Scotia Holstein Club, as Vice President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, and as Charter President of Atlantic Livestock Improvement Corporation.
As a dairy farmer, Casey was known for being progressive in his adoption of new methods and technology. He has generously shared his knowledge and experience of field crops and milk production with fellow producers. Casey’s top farm priorities were to improve milk production and deliver a top quality product. Through enrollment in the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and the Record of Production program, his purebred Holsteins were consistently among the province’s top producing herds. He was presented with the Dairy Award of Excellence an impressive 11 times. Casey furthered his commitment to dairy production when he served as President of the Nova Scotia Milk Producers Association. It was during his term that equalized percentage payout on fluid milk was introduced, providing stability for dairy farmers.
Casey is an active member of his church community, participating in the choir and providing pastoral care to hospitalized parishioners. He is also a member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Casey has enjoyed spending time with his family, including children Karen, David, Kevin, and Rachel. In retirement, he began a market garden with his grandson and he continues to provide assistance to Sanhaven Farm, which he sold in 2001 to son David and his wife Jennifer.
Nominated by the Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company for his leadership to rural agriculture organizations and his dedication to improving dairy production in Nova Scotia, Casey Van de Sande is a worthy inductee to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.