Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (COYF) is a unique program designed to recognize farmers and farm couples who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution to agriculture. The program is open to farmers or couples who derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming operations.
British Columbia is one of seven regions. Each region holds an event where local nominees are judged on specific criteria. All regional winners represent their areas at an annual national event where they compete to be named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.
To read how this years’ British Columbia award winners exemplify the ideals of our program click below.
Thomas and Catherine Cuthbert of Southcoast Agro Farms Ltd., along with their four young children, Mack, Connor, Riley, and Georgia, proudly farm in the South Nanaimo area on beautiful Vancouver Island. Their primary operation is producing broiler chickens for Island Farmhouse Poultry, a local processor in Cowichan Bay, who supplies chicken to Island grocery stores, […]
Albert Gorter and Chelsea Enns are the passionate owners of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks in Parksville, BC, where they raise their two young children, Rory (5) and Willa (3). Along with their dedicated team of talented staff, they are dedicated to producing high-quality, artisanal cheeses using milk directly from their grass-fed herd of Jersey and Holstein […]
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program is designed to recognize young farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession. Eligible nominees must be farm operators between the ages of 18 and 39 who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from their farm operations. Each year one farming couple is selected from each of the program’s seven Regional Recognition Events to represent their respective region at the National Recognition Event.
(Abbotsford, BC- Feb 18, 2025) Today, BC farmers, Thomas & Catherine Cuthbert of Southcoast Agro Farms located at Ladysmith were named BC/Yukon’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. The event was held in Abbotsford at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre on February 18-19. Over 70 industry people were in attendance including MP Brad Vis and […]
(Lethbridge- November 6, 2024) – The Alberta Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) Region is preparing to host Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ National Event which will take place at the Sandman Signature Hotel Lethbridge, AB from Nov 27- Dec 1, 2024. Alberta’s OYF regional chair, Jinel Ference states, “Ag business is comparable to the peaks and valleys […]
BC Regional Event
Feb 18-19, 2025
OYF National Event
Nov 26-30, 2025
Click here for information on national and regional sponsorship opportunities with Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.
The OYF Memorial Scholarships were established in memory of the late Martin Streef, president of Streef Produce Ltd., a family-run fresh fruit and vegetable business in Woodstock Ontario, to help future generations of Canadians pursue their passion for agriculture.
In 1996, Streef was recognized as both Ontario’s and Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer. He died in April 2008.