Outstanding Young Farmers compete in Toronto November 27-30

Nov 12, 2025

The Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) Region is preparing to host Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ National Event which will bring the country to the city at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in Toronto, ON from Nov 27-30, 2025.

Ontario’s OYF regional chair, Dana Thatcher states, “I trust all attendees will thoroughly enjoy their time with the honorees, alumni, and sponsors at the 2025 COYF event here in Ontario, and that they will absorb the passion shared by true leaders and advocates in agriculture.”

Every year this event brings recognition to outstanding farm couples in Canada between 18 and 39 years of age who have exemplified excellence in their profession while fostering better urban-rural relations. Six entrepreneurial farmers from across Canada chosen from their home regions will present highlights of their operations at the National Event on Friday November 28.

This year’s regional finalists are:

Atlantic Canada- Katie Campbell & William Spurr from Spurr Brothers Farm Ltd at Melvern Square NS

Québec- Pierre-Luc Barre & Virginie Bourque from Ferme Yves Barre Inc at St Damase, QC

Ontario- Ryan & Romy Schill from Circle R Livestock Ltd at Wallenstein, ON

Saskatchewan- Brady & Lindsay Funk of Braylin acre Ltd at Wymark, SK

Alberta- Sarah Weigum from Alect Seeds of Three Hills, AB

British Columbia- Thomas & Catherine Cuthbert of Southcoast Agro Farms at Nanaimo, BC

“COYF has always been about more than awards—it’s about connection, learning, and inspiration,” states COYF president Amy Cronin. Since its beginning, the program has shone a spotlight on farmers who exemplify excellence and combine innovation, stewardship, and passion to move our industry forward. This year, we’re bringing that same spirit right into the heart of Canada’s biggest city—because excellence in agriculture deserves the biggest stage possible! You’ll meet farmers whose creativity and determination are shaping our future. You’ll connect with leaders who believe, as we do, that agriculture is not just an industry—it’s a calling. And while we’ve traded gravel roads for city streets this week, you’ll find the same warm welcomes, firm handshakes, and neighbourly spirit that make our rural communities shine.”

Celebrating 45 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture, Meridian Manufacturing and CN with media sponsors Glacier FarmMedia and Nucleus Consulting and video sponsor, Bamboo Shoots. It is supported nationally by BDO and Dieno Digital.

Source : The Grower

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.