Quebec City, September 7, 2021 – The 41st edition of the Gala announcing the winners of the Canadian Outstanding Young Farmers for the Quebec region was held on September 2nd at the Château Bromont. For the first time in its history, the event was presented in virtual mode and with simultaneous translation, which allowed to reach nearly 800 people from across Canada. The winners will represent the Quebec region at the Outstanding Young Farmers national event that will take place from December 1-3 in Saskatchewan where the winners of the national event will be announced.
The main purpose of the gala is to honour farmers for their exceptional accomplishments and performance. Through their management practices, these young agricultural producers (less than 40 years old) ensured that their farming operations had a strong start as well as steady and progressive growth. Their operations are based on solid ground and ensure a good income as well as financial stability.
In addition, the event aims at showcasing the Outstanding Young Farmers and at promoting better urban-rural relationships through the understanding of the situations faced by farmers and the recognition of their achievements.
To become finalists, the candidates had to go through several qualifying stages. The selection committee awards points according to each of the following criteria: progress made during the farming career; utilization of soil, water and energy conservation practices; production history; contribution to the community; maintaining financial records as well as oral interviews.
The winners are:
Geneviève Grossenbacher and James Thompson
Notre petite ferme
Lochaber-Partie-Ouest
Fresh organic vegetable production
The finalists were:
Sophie Girouard and Dominic Brie
Ferme Girobrie
Princeville
Goat milk production
Annick Godbout and Guillaume Blais
Ferme MB Marronniers and Ferme FA Godbout
Honfleur
Dairy, cereal and maple syrup production and custom work
Léda Villeneuve and Jean-François Goulet
Ferme Vigo
St-Onésime-d’Ixworth
Sheep, maple syrup and egg production
Celebrating 41 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, CN, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, media partners WS and Glacier FarmMedia; and supported nationally by BDO.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2021 will be chosen at the National Event held virtually December 2-3, 2021.
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For more information or a photo of Geneviève and James, contact:
Francine Martin
Groupancie Pro-Expo
Tel.: (418) 877-1919, ext. 4
Fax: (418) 877-9292
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·kaedingc@hotmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com