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.
Manitoba 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.
Find out about the program
Braden and Misty reside on their family grain farm near Oakburn, MB with their children Adilynn and Clayton, operating a multi-generational grain & oilseed farm. Farming has been a central part of both their lives, each growing up on family farms in nearby communities they learned the value of hard work, resilience, and dedication. Misty […]
Our names are Joe and Jen Friesen, and we are from a small town in southeastern Manitoba called Grunthal. We both come from a farming background that left us passionate about Agriculture. We always knew we wanted to farm but for years didn’t know how we would make that happen. Thankfully, in 2019 we were […]
Brett & Chantel McRae own and operate McRae Land & Livestock, located 15 minutes Southwest of Brandon, MB. They raise commercial cattle and a diverse rotation of grain crops including spring and winter cereals, canola, pulses and corn. They also provide custom seeding and bull clipping services, as well as custom corn grazing and manufacture […]
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.
(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 […]
(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) […]
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 National 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.
The Major Jay Fox Memorial scholarship has been developed by the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers in honour of Jay and the contribution that he made to agriculture in Canada. An annual scholarship will be presented to recognize a student continuing in the field of agriculture who has made a significant difference in their community. One bursary will be awarded annually for $1000.00. Application Deadline: June 30, 2026