BC/Yukon

Current BC/Yukon Winners

Tristan & Aubyn Banwell Northern St'at'imc Territory, Lillooet, BC

 

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.

Banwell 2024 Video

 

Read their Story View Regional Winners

Current Nominees

2025- Thomas and Catherine Cuthbert- Ladysmith

Southcoast Agro Farms Ltd.

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, […]

Read their Story

2025- Albert Gorter & Chelsea Enns- Parksville

Little Qualicum Cheeseworks

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 […]

Read their Story

2026 CALL FOR BC NOMINATIONS- Deadline Dec 31

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Read their Story

NOMINATE A FARMER

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.

VIEW NATIONAL CRITERIA

VIEW NOMINATION FORM

Register for the event

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

News

British Columbia/Yukon names Tristan & Aubyn Banwell of Spray Creek Ranch, as their 2024 Outstanding Young Farmers.

(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 […]

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Upcoming Events

BC Regional Event
Feb 18-19, 2025

View Details

OYF National Event
Nov 26-30, 2025

View Details

Regional Sponsors

Click here for information on national and regional sponsorship opportunities with Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

Scholarships

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.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Contact Us

Richele Burgsma
Regional Coordinator

Email: bcyoyf@gmail.com
Phone: 604-897-1858

Cammy Lockwood
Regional Chair

Email: cammy@lockwoodfarms.ca
Phone: 250-710-4769

Steve Saccomano
Nomination Chair

Email: cssacco@telus.net
Phone: 1604-855-5319

Kevin Klippenstein
Treasurer

Email: klipppersorganics@gmail.com
Phone: 604-316-3863

Brian Pauls
Past Chair

Email: brianpauls@icloud.com
Phone: 604-991-6969