Raised on dairy farms in both the Netherlands and Canada, Astrid developed an early and lasting connection to agriculture and animal care. After emigrating with her family in 1994, she went on to earn her Animal Health Technician Diploma from NAIT and gained experience working with animals across multiple sectors before finding her calling in turkey farming.
In 2009, Astrid purchased Pine Park Farms — a milestone she credits in large part to the support of her parents and siblings. Today she lives on the farm with her husband Corey and their two daughters, Norah and Daphne. Farming has given her the opportunity to work from home while raising her children in an environment that naturally teaches hard work and respect for animal welfare. Norah and Daphne are eager helpers, and the farm has become as much a part of their upbringing as it was Astrid’s.
Astrid finds turkey farming particularly rewarding. Turkeys are curious, watchful, and communicative — their sounds alone can tell you whether a flock is content, excited, or unsettled. Because no two flocks are alike, the work demands constant observation and adaptability, which keeps it engaging year after year.
Beyond the farm, Astrid serves on the Alberta Turkey Producers board and is active on several Turkey Farmers of Canada committees. She is a committed advocate for supply management, which she sees as essential to the stability of Canadian farming, consistent domestic food production, and the high standards of food safety and animal welfare that consumers deserve.