(Regina, SK June 24, 2022)- Certified organic producers, Cody Straza and Allison Squires of Upland Organics Ltd. located in Wood Mountain were named Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2022. The winners were announced at the regional event held in conjunction with Canada’s Farm Show (formerly Farm Progress Show) in Regina June 22-23.
Cody grew up on a farm in the Wood Mountain area and completed an Engineering degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Allison was born in Newfoundland and met Cody while completing her PhD in Toxicology at the University of Saskatchewan. A few years after getting married they realized their goal of owning their own farm in 2010 when they bought their first land together and started Upland Organics.
Learning from others and through their own on-farm experimentation Cody & Allison have successfully adopted farming techniques that include reduced tillage, intercropping, cover cropping, pollinator strips, and rotational grazing. Using these practices, they have shown it is possible to improve their soil and be excellent stewards of the environment while also realizing financial benefits. Through their innovation and outreach, Upland Organics Ltd. have become leaders in organic agriculture.
Cody & Allison’s ultimate goal is to pass on a thriving operation to the next generation of farmers. To do this they are focused on doing more with less while identifying opportunities to expand their market with value added and diverse enterprises. They see many opportunities within the agriculture industry and are excited about what the future holds for the next generation of farmers.
The Saskatchewan Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program were pleased and proud to have three diverse and impressive operations at the 2022 Regional Event. The Nominees recognized were:
Lee & Ashley Eastmond of Wheatland Cattle Company- Mortlach
Garret & Jocelyn Poletz of P Cross Ranch Ltd- Biggar
Cody Straza & Allison Squires of Upland Organics Ltd.- Wood Mountain
The event was well attended by alumni and sponsors. The region was honoured to have in attendance Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister, Honourable Dave Marit, a Saskatchewan MP and a number of Saskatchewan MLAs as well as Danny Penner, Vice-President of the National OYF board. Danny commented that “The Farm Progress Show was the perfect venue to showcase progression in agriculture and the 2022 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers Nominees”.
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 their 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 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CIBC, CN, John Deere, Bayer and Sollio Agriculture and national media sponsors Glacier FarmMedia and WS. It is supported nationally by BDO.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2022 will be chosen at the National event in Saskatoon, SK from November 23-27, 2022.
-30-
For more information or a photo of Cody & Allison, contact:
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager,
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·kaedingc@hotmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com