Ontario

Current Ontario Winners

Stewart Skinner & Jessica Kelly- Listowel

Imani Farms

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (COYF) is a unique program designed to recognize farmers and farm couples who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution to agriculture. The program is open to farmers or couples who derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming operations.

Ontario is one of seven regions. Each region holds an event where local nominees are judged on specific criteria. All regional winners represent their areas at an annual national event where they compete to be named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

To read how this years’ Ontario award winners exemplify the ideals of our program click below.

Read their Story View Regional Winners

Current Nominees

2023- Derek & Jen Van Dieten- Seaforth

Van Dieten Dairy Farms

Derek and Jen Van Dieten have built their organic dairy and cash crop farm into a successful business literally from the ground up. Derek grew up in a mixed farming operation. During his teens, Derek worked for a local dairy farm and that is where his passion for dairy farming exploded. Jen was from a […]

Read their Story

2023- Stewart Skinner and Jessica Kelly- Listowel

Imani Farms Ltd

Stewart Skinner and Jessica Kelly own and operate Imani Farms Ltd in Listowel. Ontario. They work 167 acres for their hog and cash crop operation. Although both started their careers working in agriculture related jobs, they knew that they were destined to be farmers. Stewart and Jessica have used several innovative approaches to finance and […]

Read their Story

2024 CALL FOR ONTARIO NOMINATIONS- Deadline Feb 28

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

Read their Story

NOMINATE A FARMER

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program is designed to recognize young farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession. Eligible nominees must be farm operators between the ages of 18 and 39 who derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from their farm operations. Each year one farming couple is selected from each of the program’s seven Regional Recognition Events to represent their respective region at the National Recognition Event.

VIEW NATIONAL CRITERIA

VIEW NOMINATION FORM

News

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Upcoming Events

Ontario Regional Event
August 22,2024

View Details

OYF National Event
Nov 27-Dec 1, 2024

View Details

Regional Sponsors

Click here for information on national and regional sponsorship opportunities with Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.

Scholarships

The OYF Memorial Scholarships were established in memory of the late Martin Streef, president of Streef Produce Ltd., a family-run fresh fruit and vegetable business in Woodstock Ontario, to help future generations of Canadians pursue their passion for agriculture.

In 1996, Streef was recognized as both Ontario’s and Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer. He died in April 2008.

PLEASE NOTE that there are TWO Streef Memorial Scholarship Awards. 

 CLICK HERE FOR COYF SCHOLARSHIP

 Ontario Region Memorial Scholarship

 

Contact Us

Cathy Bartolic
Regional Manager

Email: ontariooyf@gmail.com
Phone:

Amy Cronin
Regional Chair

Email: amy@croninfamilyfarms.com
Phone: 519-450-9158

Jason or Christina Pyke
Past Chair

Email: pyke.christina@gmail.com
Phone: 613-385-2941