(Mar 16, 2026 – Elkhorn Resort MB) On March 14, Manitoba’s Outstanding Young Farmers announced Braden & Misty Drul who farm at Oakburn Manitoba as their regional winner, during their regional event held at Elkhorn Resort. They will proudly represent Manitoba at the National Event in Vancouver BC in November 2026.
Farming has been a central part of Braden & Misty’s lives, each growing up on family farms in nearby communities they learned the value of hard work, resilience, and dedication. Misty pursued her career as an X-ray/Lab technologist while Braden earned his Agribusiness degree from the University of Manitoba. After completing their education, they returned home with a shared vision of working with his parents expanding and strengthening the family farm. They married in 2016 and began laying the foundation for the next chapter of their family’s farming legacy.
While growing the business they recognized the importance of diversifying the operation and in 2019 they launched their equipment assembly business, offering supplemental income and employment opportunities for the farm. With an ongoing pursuit to grow and expand the business, they opened a Pioneer seed agency in 2024 reflecting their commitment to innovation, diversification, and supporting fellow farmers in their community.
Community involvement remains vital to them. They volunteer their time to local clubs, organizations, and initiatives, believing that strong rural communities are essential to strong farms.
Braden and Misty reside on their family grain farm with their children Adilynn and Clayton, operating the multi-generational grain & oilseed farm. They are grateful for the opportunity’s agriculture has given them. Their goal is to continue growing the operation with integrity, dedication, and passion ensuring it remains strong for the sixth generation and beyond.
The Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers competition of the Manitoba region had the pleasure to present three diverse and impressive operations during the 2026 regional competition. The recognized candidates were:
- Braden & Misty Drul- Drul Farms Ent- Oakburn
- Joe & Jen Friesen- J& J Dairy- Grunthal
- Brett & Chantel McRae- McRae Land & Livestock- Brandon
Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn and Danny Penner, Past-President of the COYF National Board were in attendance at the event. Danny Penner had this to say about the event: “Manitoba OYF regional event was filled with friends, sponsors, dignitaries and alumni. The event celebrated agriculture with excitement. Braden and Misty Drul of Drul Farms Ent will be a fantastic addition to Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer awards coming up in Vancouver this fall. Congratulations to other nominees Joe and Jen Friesen from Grunthal and Brett and Chantel McRae from Brandon- they show agriculture is in good hands in Manitoba!”
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers competition is an annual competition aimed at rewarding the farmers who demonstrate excellence in their profession and promoting agriculture’s huge contribution. Open to participants under 40 years of age, whose major source of income comes from agricultural sources, participants are selected from seven regions in Canada, and two national winners are chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by Agriculture & Agrifood Canada, CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture, Meridian Manufacturing, and CN with medias sponsors Glacier FarmMedia, and Nucleus Consulting and video sponsor Bamboo Shoots. It is supported nationally by BDO.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers of 2026 will be chosen during the national competition that will be held in Vancouver BC, from November 26th to 29th 2026.
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For information or a picture of Braden & Misty, contact:
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306-896-7833 – [email protected] – www.oyfcanada.com