Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program
 

The mission of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers is to discover, celebrate and recognize progress and excellence in Canadian agriculture.

The Program is designed to recognize young farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession. Eligible nominees must be farm operators between the ages of 18 and 39 who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from their farm operations. Each year one farming couple is selected from each of the program’s seven Regional Recognition Events to represent their respective region at the National Recognition Event.

At the National Event, the seven honourees are recognized for their achievements and judged by a distinguished panel of judges using the following criteria:

• Progress made during their farming career

• Maximum utilization of soil, water and energy conservation practices

• Crop and livestock production history

• Financial and management practices

• Contributions to the well-being of the community, province and nation

Each year, two of the seven honourees are chosen by the judges as Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

The vitality of the Program is maintained by the continued participation of its alumni members, who return each year to the National Recognition Event to honour and welcome the new members. The mission is supported by educational activities during the annual conference to help achieve progress and excellence in Canadian agriculture.