(Elkhorn Resort, MB Mar 17, 2024) – Marcus & Paige Dueck of Four Oak Farms from Kleefeld were named Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024 at the Manitoba Region’s Recognition Event held at Elkhorn Resort Mar 15-17.
Marcus was born and raised on his second-generation family farm; Paige worked on farms growing up. Both graduated from the University of Manitoba with Bachelors of Science in Agriculture majoring in Animal Systems. Marcus achieved his Professional Agrologists license and worked as a sales associate for Marc Hutlet Seeds Ltd. He is a member of the local fire department and currently sits on the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Advisory Committee.
Paige worked for Dairy Farmers of Manitoba as Producer Relations Coordinator and a Canadian Quality Milk validator. She has also been an Equine Canada certified riding instructor for many years.
Their past experiences have shaped how they farm. Four Oak Farms as a dairy milks 49 registered Brown Swiss cows, three times per day using the only tie stall robot in Western Canada. The dairy has won multiple milk quality, production, and farm awards.
The farm also runs 785 acres. Crops include corn, soybeans, and forages supplying both the dairy and cash crops. It takes part in agronomic and yield trials and offers custom field work. Recently, hay sales have expanded, supplying both local and U.S markets.
The Manitoba Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program were pleased and proud to have two diverse and impressive operations at the 2024 Regional Event. The Nominees recognized were:
Alexander Boersch & Markus Deffner- Elie -Mill Creek Organics/Abtshof Farms Ltd
Marcus & Paige Dueck- Kleefeld – Four Oak Farms
In attendance, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program President, Danny Penner, had this to say about the event “Manitoba OYF committee should be proud of the event they put together to celebrate the agricultural achievements by its nominees. They started Friday with meet and greet and held an awards banquet Saturday evening. The celebration had about 90 in attendance including alumni, sponsors, and government officials. Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshen presented the award on behalf of MBOYF. Marcus and Paige Dueck of Four Oak Farms are well deserved recipients and will be a great addition to COYF awards celebration in Lethbridge this fall!”
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 Marcus & Paige, contact:
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager,
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·CanadaOYF@gmail.com · www.oyfcanada.com