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BC’s Outstanding Young Farmer named for 2026 competition

BC’s Outstanding Young Farmer named for 2026 competition
Feb 03, 2026
By Andrew Joseph
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

The winner is a Chilliwack grower who leads a vertically integrated floral operation spanning 60 acres of greenhouse and field production.

BC’s Outstanding Young Farmers program has selected Chilliwack producer Corné Quik as its 2026 regional winner, announcing the honour during the Pacific Agriculture Show on January 22. 

Quik will go on to represent the BC/Yukon region at the national competition in Vancouver from November 26-29, 2026.

Quik grew up working on his family’s farm and later completed two years of post‑graduate business studies at the University of the Fraser Valley. While the formal training helped build foundational skills, he credits most of his development to learning on the job and working closely with his team.

Today, Quik co‑owns and operates Quik’s Farm Ltd. alongside his father and two brothers, serving as General Manager for bouquet production, greenhouse operations, outdoor growing areas, logistics, and maintenance. The business is a fully integrated floral provider rooted in the fertile soils of Chilliwack, handling everything from planting and harvesting to design, sales, and bouquet production. The farm includes 20 acres of modern greenhouses and 40 acres of outdoor fields, employing roughly 200 staff and supplying customers ranging from wholesale florists to major retailers across Western Canada.

Quik and his wife, Michelle (see photo above), are raising five children.

This year’s BC regional competition showcased three diverse operations: Liam Ritchie of S. J. Ritchie Research Farms in Abbotsford, Corné Quik of Quik’s Farm Ltd. in Chilliwack, and Annelise Grube‑Cavers of Fresh Valley Farms in Spallucheen. 

COYF National Board President Amy Cronin and Program Manager Carla Kaeding attended the event, with Kaeding noting the strength of the field. “The judges were given a very difficult task to select someone to represent the BC region for 2026. The three nominees were very passionate about their operations, whether it was organic pasture-raised meat, boiler trials to improve efficiency, or delivering cut flowers across Canada. They are all using innovation and technology on their farms to make their businesses better. The future of BC agriculture is in good hands.”

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers program recognizes excellence in agriculture among producers under 40 whose primary income comes from farming. Regional winners are selected from seven areas across the country, with two national winners chosen each year.


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