The Outstanding Young Farmers’ (OYF) Program features seven regional winners involved in many areas of agriculture.
Saskatchewan is represented by Cody Straza and Allison Squires with Upland Organics at Wood Mountain. Other nominees include a potato grower from Prince Edward Island, a Quebec farm with dairy cattle and maple syrup, an Alberta beef producer and an Ontario market garden. All of the nominees are under the age of 40 and make the majority of their income from on-farm sources.
Each nominee is evaluated in several areas—-everything from production to innovation and community involvement. Two awards will be presented during an evening gala on Friday evening.
These are the regional honourees:
Gurpreet Lidder- Lidder Produce at Keremos, BC
Ben Campbell– Tullichewan Ranch at Black Diamond, AB
Cody Straza & Allison Squires– Upland Organics at Wood Mountain, SK
Richard & Kristy-Layne Carr– Rich Lane Farm at Marchand, MB
David & Jennifer VanDeVelde– Wholesome Pickins Market & Bakery- Delhi, ON
Guillaume & Etienne Lessard– Ferme Holdream Inc- St Honore de Shenley, QC
Morgan & Karissa Smallman– J&J Farms, Alberton PE
OYF is in its 41st year and has more than 300 alumni. The alumni play an important role in organizing regional events and sometimes even mentoring their younger colleagues.
CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger interviewed Canadian Outstanding Young Farmers President Steve Cooper on Thursday morning.
