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The BC OYF Region is hard at work preparing to host Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ National Event in Penticton. The event will take place at the Lakeside Resort from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.                   

“We are excited to share our ecological and agriculturally diverse region,” says Regional Chair Troy Harker. “We invite you to journey through the Valley from the river bottoms to the mountain tops upon bus, foot and train while being immersed in culture, science and agriculture.  You will meet young people in all sectors of Agriculture and value added, and we will showcase young chefs, brewmasters, cidermakers, winemakers and of course its farmers.”

Every year this event brings recognition to outstanding farm couples in Canada between 18 and 39 years of age who have exemplified excellence in their profession while fostering better urban-rural relations. Seven entrepreneurial farm couples from across Canada chosen from their home regions will present highlights of their operations at the national event. This year’s honourees include:

Gary & Marie Baars - Chilliwack,BC
Marc & Hinke Therrien - Redwater, AB
Derek & Tannis Axten - Minton, SK
Brent & Kirsty Oswald – Steinbach.MB
Dusty Zamecnik- Langton, ON
Véronique Bouchard & François Handfield - Mont-Tremblant, QC
Lauchie & Jolene MacEachern- Debert, NS

“The event showcases Canada’s best in agriculture through the regional honouree presentations and announcement of the winners at the gala Friday evening,” says Program Manager Carla Kaeding.

Pre-registration is required to attend the OYF event. Tickets can be ordered at www.oyfcanada.com – Friday (Forum/lunch/presentation) is $50 per person, Friday evening awards gala is $100 per person, and Full Friday (forum/lunch/presentations/awards ) is $150 per person.

Celebrating 37 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial, territorial initiative. The national media sponsor is Annex Business Media, and the program is supported nationally by AdFarm, BDO and Farm Management Canada.