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

Rain and Cooler Temperatures Offer Respite for Saskatchewan Crops

Rain and cooler weather have helped relieve stress on many moisture-starved Saskatchewan crops. The rain that fell through wide parts of the province over the weekend was a positive sign for many producers, said the latest weekly provincial crop report on Thursday. However, even within regions that received the rain the impact on crop and pasture conditions was variable, it added. “In some areas, the rain came just in time to carry crops forward through flowering and grain fill, while in other areas the rain came too late to make a difference to crops or pastures.” Topsoil moisture is highly variable, depending on region, but most regions have seen an improvement after the recent rainfall. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture was rated 2% surplus, 71% adequate, 22% short and 5% very short as of Monday. That compares with 60% adequate, 32% short and 8% very short a week earlier, and 50% adequate, 40% short and 10% very short at this time last year. Cropland topsoil moisture

Alberta Major Crop Conditions Little Changed on the Week

Alberta major crop conditions were relatively unchanged this past week, holding above the five- and 10-year averages. The weekly provincial crop report on Friday said precipitation did bring relief to crops in some areas but added that prolonged hot and dry weather “continues to be a challenge to crops and pastures in other regions.” The overall condition of major crops (spring wheat, oats, barley, canola, dry peas) was pegged at 65% good to excellent as of Tuesday, down a single point from the previous week but above five-year average of 55% and the 10-year average of 60%. At 66% good to excellent as of Tuesday, the condition of the Alberta spring wheat crop was down 1 point from a week earlier, while barley held steady at 67%. The condition of the oat crop fell to 55% good to excellent from 63%. Canola was down 1 point at 63% and peas were up a single point at 66%. Major crops in the province’s Central Region were rated the best at 93% good to excellent as of Tuesday, followe

Saskatchewan, Ottawa to boost farming program in response to trade issues and drought

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s government and Ottawa say they’re providing additional support to a farm income stabilization program in response to trade issues and dry conditions. 

Open Letter: Let’s Grow Canada: Staking a Claim for Agriculture in the Government Mandate

Open Letter: Let’s Grow Canada: Staking a Claim for Agriculture in the Government Mandate

Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food (NCIAF) Sign MOU to Advance Collaboration and Reconciliation in Canadian Agriculture

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture & Food (NCIAF). This agreement marks a significant step toward building stronger collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous agricultural producers across Canada.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service