Once again successful young farmers from across the country will be celebrated at a national awards ceremony
THE NOMINEES, 2013
British Columbia: Troy and Sara Harker
Alberta: Michael Kalisvaart and Karen Jansen
Saskatchewan: Chad and Darlene Krikau
Manitoba: Tyler and Dorelle Fulton
Ontario: Dana and Adam Thatcher
Quebec: Luc Gervais and Kim Brunelle
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About 150 alumni as well as Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) nominees for 2013 are meeting in Regina, Sask., this week as part of the national awards program to select Canada’s OYF for the year.
The seven regional nominees — farm couples representing B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada — will be put through their paces during the week of Nov. 12 to 17 as they are judged on a wide range of criteria including their farm business plans, production practices, environmental stewardship and family and community involvement.
After interviews and presentations two couples will be named at the November 18 awards banquet as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013.
“The event is back in Regina this year for the first time in 14 years,” says Kris Mayerle of Tisdale, Sask., co-chair of the national event. He and his wife Rhonda were OYF winners in 2008. Garry and Bonnie Meier of Ridgedale, Sask., 1993 winners are also hosting committee co-chairs.
When the Outstanding Young Farmers program was launched in 1980 the OYF national awards event was held in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition — this year running Nov. 11 to 16. Later a decision was made to take the national awards on the road each year, alternating between Eastern and Western Canada locations.
Along with the judging sessions, nominees and alumni will be involved in social events, will all have time to visit the Agribition show, and will participate in tours of Regina attractions as well as area agricultural operations.
The OYF program is sponsored nationally by Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, Bayer CropScience, CIBC and John Deere Limited. †
— Lee Hart is a field editor for Grainews in Calgary. Contact him at 403-592-1964 or by email at [email protected].
