(Quebec City, September 5, 2022) – The 42th edition of the Gala announcing the winners of the Canadian Outstanding Young Farmers for the Quebec region was held on August 30th at the Conference Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe. The winners will represent the Quebec region at the Outstanding Young Farmers national event that will take place from November 23-27 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. On Friday November 25th, 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: Étienne Lessard and Guillaume Lessard
Ferme Holdream from St-Honoré-de-Shenley
Dairy, cash crops, pork and organic maple sugar production
The finalists were:
Caroline Allard and Sébastien Francoeur
Ferme Gerluda, from Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil
Dairy production
Rémi Taillon and Sophie Brodeur
Ferme Réso from Saint-Dominique
Grain-fed calves and cash crops
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 and 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.
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For more information or a photo of Étienne and Guillaume Lessard, contact:
Francine Martin
Group Pro-Expo
Tel.: (418) 877-1919 est. 4
Fax: (418) 877-9292
Or Carla Kaeding, Program Manager,
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·kaedingc@hotmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com