Looking for Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2011

The following information has been provided to Greenbeltfresh.ca by the Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers Program.

Here's your chance to recognize someone with the title of the 2011 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer. This award will be presented at the Regional Conference to be held next march 10-12 in Ajax, Ontario.

We are seeking people who contribute to the community, who seek new opportunities, and who generally are assets to Ontario's agri-food industry.

Anyone can nominate a young farmer/farm couple/farm partnership for the award. The eligibility requirements are simple:

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 39
• Must operate a farm
• Must derive a minimum of 2/3 of the income from farming

The nomination process is simple too:

1. Nominations are submitted by December 15, 2010
2. Nominees are contacted and complete an application form. Application forms are due January 31, 2011.
3. A preliminary judging committee consisting of OOYF Alumni reviews the submitted application forms and contacts the top candidates. Their decision is based upon items such as the nominees progress in their agricultural career; adoption of soil, water, and energy conservation practices; financial and management practices and contribution to the well-being of the community, province, and nation.
4. The top candidates then participate in an interview and presentation presentation process at the regional event to be held in Ajax from March 10-12. The winner will be announced at the final banquet.
5. The provincial winner will then compete in the National competition which is designed to recognize young farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession. The National competition for 2011 will be held in Brandon, Manitoba.

If you know an outstanding young farmer, please nominate them by completing the application form that can be found on the OYF website. 

If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Karen Daynard via email at kdaynard at sympatico dot ca or by calling 519.836.2583.

This is a great chance for you to recognize a friend, a customer, a client, a neighbour... an outstanding young farmer.