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.
I am building on three generations of Fraser Valley agriculture, leading cutting-edge poultry research while honouring the legacy of my late father, Dr. Stewart Ritchie. I operate S. J. Ritchie Research Farms and work with universities and industry partners to push the boundaries of broiler performance and environmentally sustainable farm designs. My father left me […]
Corne grew up on his family’s farm, Quiks Farm Ltd, which has instilled in him an entrepreneurial heart and a passion for agriculture and people. Today, alongside his father and two brothers, he co-owns the farm serving as General Manager of their bouquet production facilities, greenhouses, outdoor growing spaces, logistics and maintenance. The demands of this […]
Annelise Grube-Cavers is a third generation farmer who owns and operates Fresh Valley Farms in Spallumcheen, BC. She works with Steve, her partner in life, and in business, to provide pasture-raised, certified organic meats and eggs directly to eaters throughout the Okanagan Valley and beyond. Annelise has served as a Director of the BC Agriculture […]
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.
(February 2 ,2026 – Abbotsford, BC ) On January 22nd, at the Pacific Agriculture Show, BC’s Outstanding Young Farmers announced Corné Quik as their regional winner. He will proudly represent BC/Yukon at the National Event in Vancouver BC in November 2026. Corné grew up on his family’s farm. He completed 2 years of post graduate […]
(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) […]
BC Regional Event
January 21-22, 2026
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.