(Abbotsford, BC Mar 13, 2024) – Tristan & Aubyn Banwell of Spray Creek Ranch from Northern St’at’imc Territory near Lillooet, BC were named BC/Yukon’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024 at the BC/Yukon Region’s Recognition Event held in Abbotsford Mar 11-12.
Aubyn & Tristan Banwell manage a diversified regenerative organic farm. Together with their children Twain and Tusi, their land owner partners and a great crew, they raise cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry on pasture along the mighty Fraser River in the rain shadow of the Coast Mountains. Operating a growing on-farm abattoir, they direct market and distribute their organic meats throughout the Sea-to-Sky region.
Both Tristan and Aubyn and have been active members of the farming community in BC. Tristan was a founding director of the Lillooet Agriculture and Food Society (LAFS) and of the Small Scale Meat Producers Association (SSMPA), where he continues to serve as president. He has also served in numerous committee, board and executive roles for Organic BC. Aubyn has sat on the board of the Lillooet Farmers Market and was instrumental in bringing the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program to Lillooet. They regularly share what they have learned along the way through presentations, field days, workshops and courses.
Spray Creek Ranch utilizes regenerative production practices, focusing on adaptive multi-paddock rotational grazing to promote soil and pasture health, biodiversity, and agroecosystem resilience. Their pasture-based livestock management includes organic production methods, low-stress livestock handling, and the development and use of appropriate livestock breeds for resilience and adaptability.
They believe in the power of regenerative agriculture to change the world, the power of food to connect people, and the power of consumers to change how farms are managed.
The BC/Yukon Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program were pleased and proud to have three diverse and impressive operations at the 2024 Regional Event. The Nominees recognized were:
Aubyn & Tristan Banwell- Spray Creek Ranch – Lillooet
Jeff and Carrie Hooge- Lepp Farm Market, and Fraser Valley Hazelnuts- Greendale
Kerry McCann- Laughing Crow Organics – Pemberton
In attendance, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program President, Danny Penner, had this to say about the event “Being able to attend an elevated event celebrating agriculture in BC was truly an honour. We were treated to wonderful, inspirational presentations by all three honourees. The BC event is building excitement for the national event that will be held in Lethbridge this fall. Trystan and Aubyn Banwell of Spray Creek Ranch will be a fantastic addition to the OYF National event.”
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 2024 will be chosen at the National event in Lethbridge, AB from November 27-30.
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For more information or a photo of Trystan & Aubyn, contact:
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager,
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·CanadaOYF@gmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com