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.
Alberta/NWT 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’ Alberta/NWT award winners exemplify the ideals of our program click below.
James and Ashley Johnson represent the fifth generation of Johnson Fresh Farms, a family-run operation near Barnwell, Alberta, co-owned alongside James’ father and brothers. While best known for their famous Johnson Taber Corn, the farm produces a diverse range of specialty crops and vegetables—from potatoes and pumpkins to celery and broccoli—using advanced drip and overhead irrigation. They […]
Matt and Angela Kumlin are the owners and operators of Lazy J Cattle Company Ltd., and have been ranching in the foothills near Cochrane, AB since 2018. They run cow-calf, yearling, and custom grazing enterprises. They have a focus on regenerative grazing and sell-buy marketing, and have a passion for healthy landscapes, animals, and people. […]
Alison and Michael Davie are co-owners of North Paddock Farms Ltd in Taber, Alberta. They met while studying Agriculture and Commerce at Lincoln University in New Zealand, and in 2013, they moved back to Alberta and took over Alison’s family farm. On their irrigated crop farm, they grow potatoes, cereals, seed canola, pulses, flax, timothy […]
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.
(June 21, 2026 — Kirriemuir, AB) — Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) is proud to announce Alison and Michael Davie of North Paddock Farms Ltd. as the 2026 Alberta Regional honourees. Alison and Michael Davie are the co-owners of North Paddock Farms Ltd. in Taber, Alberta. The couple met while studying Agriculture and Commerce at […]
(Toronto, ON Dec 1, 2025) Ryan and Romy Schill of Circle R Livestock Ltd & Revolution Wool Company located at Wallenstein, ON and Pierre Luc Barré & Virginie Bourque of La Ferme Yves Barré Inc located at St. Damase QC were chosen as National Winners from six regional farms at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) […]
Alberta Regional Event
June 2027
OYF National Event
Nov 25-29, 2026
Click here for information on national and regional sponsorship opportunities with Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.
The COYF 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.
