Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Manitoba and Prince Edward Island produce
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2009

Ancaster, ON [December 7, 2009] – Commitment, passion and expertise fuel the MacKenzie and Dyck farming operations – winners of the 2009 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program. Greg and Tania MacKenzie own and operate MacKenzie Produce at Stratford, PEI – a 115-acre cole crop vegetable farm that is a testament to their philosophy of answering the call of opportunity. Grant and Colleen Dyck own Artel Farms Ltd. at Niverville, MB – a diversified cropping operation and emerging specialty food business built on the premise that the biggest problems offer the biggest opportunities.

The Manitoba and PEI farm couples were recently named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) for 2009 at the organization’s annual event in Ottawa, ON on December 4. The two winning couples were chosen from the seven 2009 regional finalists – who along with the winners included – Monia Grenier and Dany Mayrand, dairy (Quebec region); Jason and Christina Pyke, bison (Ontario region); Art and Elaine Pruim, dairy (Saskatchewan region); Geoff Hoar, horse training (Alberta Northwest region); and Ian and Jennifer Woike, poultry (British Columbia, Yukon region).
“We have witnessed the raising of the bar, once again, with the achievements of this year’s OYF winners – and all the farm couples from across Canada,” says Richard Stamp, OYF president. “When you think of ambassadors for Canadian agriculture, the MacKenzies and Dycks are ideal poster families for the inspiring, passionate individuals who we are now honoured to have as part of our OYF family.”

Greg and Tania MacKenzie recognized a great opportunity when they saw it – the beginnings of what is today MacKenzie Produce, a 115-acre cole crop vegetable farm in Stratford, PEI. From the day Greg went to help out on a friend’s vegetable farm, to the same business that now bears their name, Greg and Tania have built a successful, year-round business with their array of vegetable crops. Since taking ownership of the business in 2003, the MacKenzies built a refrigerated warehouse on farm, added direct marketing from their farm gate, and added a delivery service to local stores and restaurants. Cabbage is the mainstay of their vegetable lineup which is stored and marketed year round – and quality is always the first priority. And if you eat cabbage in any of Charlottetown’s Chinese restaurants, any time of year, you’ll be enjoying MacKenzie produce. Other crops grown include broccoli, cauliflower, turnip, peas, beans, pumpkins, gourds and cucumbers.

The success and growth of MacKenzie Produce included developing a five-year business plan, sourcing local labour and working longer work weeks with weekends off. Greg and Tania’s three children, ages 4 to 12, love helping out on the farm. The MacKenzies support the local community by volunteering with sports activities, their church and donating vegetables to local suppers and food hampers.

From an early age, Grant Dyck’s father instilled in him a desire for independence and farming. Those early lessons went on to serve Grant and his wife Colleen well as they built a diversified agricultural operation that is Artel Farms Ltd., at Niverville, Manitoba. After completing a diploma in agriculture from the University of Manitoba, Grant was quickly immersed in the family operation when his father passed away suddenly. At the age of 23, Grant entered a partnership with other family members, eventually buying them out in 2005. Together with Colleen, they doubled the crops grown at Artel to 13, added a reclaimed wood business (Wood Anchor) and branched into the value added energy bar business (The Great Gorp Project) that Colleen is launching in early 2010.

Artel – defined as a group of people working together toward a common goal – is a powerhouse of activity. Since they began nine years ago, the land base has doubled to 12,000 acres of grain and oilseeds, minimum or zero tillage has increased the farm’s efficiency, and drainage maintenance is critical as their land is within the Red River food zone. With their seven full-time and 18 part-time staff, the Dycks hire first on attitude and second on skill. And monthly staff appreciation events keep motivation levels high. With three young children, the Dycks still find time for their community.

Celebrating its 30th year, 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 CIBC, John Deere, Bayer CropScience and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and supported nationally by AdFarm and the Canadian Farm Business Management Council.
-30-
For more information or a photo of the MacKenzies or Dycks, contact:
Joan Cranston, Program Manager, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program,
(905) 648-0176 • cranstonclydes@yahoo.com • www.oyfcanada.com

Views: 229

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Silage Production: Beneficial Practices for Preserving Forage Quality

Ensiling can be one of the most effective ways to preserve high-quality forage with minimal nutrient loss. When ensiled properly, the nutritive value (e.g., protein, fiber) of silage is only slightly less than fresh forage, and field losses are generally lower compared to haying. Ensiling also permits the use of a wider range of crops including grasses, legumes, grains, corn and salvage crops that have suffered weather damage or weed infestation.  The key to silage preservation is excluding oxygen and promoting fermentation. Lactic acid-producing bacteria convert (ferment) plant sugars into lactic acid, which lowers pH and stabilizes the feed. To achieve proper fermentation, you must start with a high-quality forage crop, harvest the forage at the correct moisture, exclude air from the chopped forage as quickly as possible and tightly seal the silo, pit or bunker.  Six Key Recommendations for Silage Harvest and Management  Moisture: Aim for 60-65% moisture at harvest to increase pac

Alberta modernizes ag legislation to support growth and innovation

The Government of Alberta has enacted legislative changes through Bill 44, amending the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and 2 of its associated regulations. These updates, which came into effect on June 23, 2025, aim to reduce regulatory barriers, encourage innovation, and promote environmentally responsible practices in agriculture — particularly the management of manure, agricultural processing by-products and compost, and biogas production. Key changes under Bill 44 One of the most significant updates is the formal inclusion of digestate management under AOPA. Digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion, primarily from manure and other approved feedstocks, was previously managed under a memorandum of understanding. Digestate can now be stored in manure storage facilities or applied directly to agricultural land following the same requirements for manure application, provided it meets the requirements outlined in the new On-Farm Storage and Land Application Code (Fir

Standing Up For Alberta Pork Producers

Top Five Priorities Over the past few months, Alberta Pork has written to 34 Alberta Members of Parliament and 91 Members of the Legislative Assembly to inform them of the hard work our producers do in feeding our province and the world. In doing so, the Alberta’s pork industry supports over 13,000 jobs and contributes more than $1.6 billion to the provincial economy each year. Our pork industry is a major globally exporter and is a vital part of Canada’s agri-food trade and Alberta’s economic success story. We have also shared the following five key areas that are top-of-mind for our industry—and where their support can make a meaningful difference. Our board will be meeting with their local MPs and MLAs over the summer to discuss these issues on behalf of Alberta pork producers. 1. Trade and Market Access Alberta’s pork sector relies on strong global market access. With the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review and ongoing tariff uncertainties, we urge pro

Bioenterprise Canada Announces Round 2 Recipients of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative Commercialization Stream

Bioenterprise Canada is pleased to announce the successful applicants of the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream!

Bioenterprise Canada Celebrates 5 Years of The Engine, the Nation’s Leading Food & Agri-Tech Alliance

Bioenterprise Canada is marking the fifth anniversary of Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine (The Engine), a coast-to-coast alliance that unites like-minded innovators, partners, and investors to fast-track breakthrough agri-food solutions.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service