Three farms are nominated in 2026
Just over a month has passed since Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program jointly recognized farmers from Quebec and Ontario as national winners for 2025, but the regional award season is upon the ag community.
In Western Canada, farmers in the B.C./Yukon region will be the first recipients.
Three farmers have been nominated to represent B.C. in the national event this November in Vancouver.
One is Liam Ritchie, representing S. J. Ritchie Research Farms, a commercial broiler trial facility in Abbotsford.
Ritchie, son of the late Stewart Ritchie, works with universities and industry partners to improve broiler performance and environmentally sustainable farm designs.
“We provide veterinarian-monitored Commercial Floor Trials & Commercial Mini-Pen Trials,” the farm’s website says.
Corne Quiks, co-owner and general manager of Quiks Farm Ltd., a flower operation in Chilliwack, is another nominee.
The farm includes 20 acres of greenhouses and another 40 acres of outdoor production.
“Corne completed 2 years of post graduate business schooling at UFV (University of the Fraser Valley) which taught him the basics of business but his greatest career growth has been a product of being hands-on involved each and every day alongside his team,” his bio says.
And the third nominee is Annelise Grube-Cavers of Fresh Valley Farms in Spallucheen.
The certified organic farm uses regenerative practices to raise beef, poultry, turkey, and pork
Grube-Cavers has served as a director of the BC Agriculture Council, and in 2025 was nominated to sit on Premier Eby’s Task Force on Agriculture and the Food Economy.
The regional event is scheduled for Jan. 21 and 22 at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford.