(Elk Horn Resort, MB Mar 20, 2023) – Fourth generation egg farmers, Harley and Brooklyn Siemens, from Rosenort, Manitoba were named Manitoba’s 2023 Outstanding Young Farmers at the Manitoba Region’s Recognition Event held in Elk Ridge Resort March 17-19.
Harley and Brooklyn Siemens own and operate Siemen Farms home to 95,000 layers and 15000 pullets in the egg industry. After graduating in 2016 from U of M with an Agriculture Diploma, Harley came back to the family farm to help run the operation which started the farm’s succession plan. This plan included a total revamp of the operation. In 2017-2019 the barn was replaced with three state-of-the-art, free run aviary barns that house 25,000 layers and 15,000 pullets. In 2020 they bought into Manova (2012) LTD which is another poultry farm located in Blumenort and Niverville and Harley was named president of the corporation. The farm houses 70,000 layers in conventional and enriched housing at the time. Within 3 months of ownership, Harley renovated the conventional layer barn and constructed a 22,500 layer, free-run aviary barn similar to the one in Rosenort.
Harley thrives on getting involved in agriculture outside the farm. He first worked in developing exhibits with commodity groups at the Farm and Food Discovery Center at Glenlea. Since 2019 he has hosted over 250 tours to schools, university classes, politicians, local sports icons, industry leaders and friends/family.
Educating the public about what they do and how they provide Manitobans with local, fresh, high quality eggs is their main motivator. Harley also travels across Canada to speak to groups and conferences on behalf of Egg Farmers of Canada promoting the industry and telling his story of what being an egg farmer means.
The Manitoba Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program were pleased and proud to have two diverse and impressive operations at the 2023 Regional Event. The Nominees recognized were:
Brett & Chantal McCrae -McRae Farms-Brandon, MB
Harley & Brooklyn Siemens- Rosenort, MB
The region was honoured to have in attendance Ryan Mercer, Vice President of the National OYF board. VP Ryan Mercer’s comment on the event was, “The event was well attended by government, industry sponsors and alumni with a focus on family participation! Children of all ages along with their parents were able to attend sessions on farm business transition, managerial improvement and develop people skills while enjoying swimming, ice hockey and geo caching. The winners are Harley (winner of the first Top 4 Under 40 poultry farmers in Canada) and Brooklyn Siemens. Brooklyn, as the backbone of the family home, provides Harley with more time to be more hands at with the farms.”
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 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture and CN with media sponsors Glacier FarmMedia and WS. It is supported nationally by BDO.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2023 will be chosen at the National event in Laval Quebec from November 22-26, 2023.
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For more information or a photo of Harley & Brooklyn, contact:
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager,
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·kaedingc@hotmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com