Nominations being sought for best young farmers

Nominations are now open for the 2008 Out­standing Young Farmers’ pro­gram within the Ontario region.
Nominees may be an indi­vidual, couple, or managing partner or shareholder of a farm group. To qualify, the nominee must derive a minimum of two-thirds of gross revenue from farming and not have reached the age of 40 as of Jan. 1 in the year of competition.
Celebrating its 28th year, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farm­ers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the contribution of agriculture, and rural Canada. Demon­strat­ing leadership in the agricul­tural industry, nominees are judg­ed according to the fol­lowing criteria:
- progress made in their agriculture career;
- environmental and safety practices;
- crop and livestock production history;
- financial and management practices; and
- Contributions to the well-being of their community, province, nation
The award is sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, TD Canada Trust, Syngenta, Grow­mark, and The Western Fair As­sociation, the Ontario regional event for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program.
The award will be hosted in conjunction with the Western Fair Farm Show on March 3 to 5. One farmer or farming cou­ple will be selected to represent the Ontario region at the national awards program, to be held in Calgary in December, 2008.
To nominate someone, con­tact John and Eadie Steele, 1571 Centre Line, RR4 Norwood, Ontario  K0L 2V0, or call 705-696-1491, or email john.steele@sympatico.ca.
Anyone can nominate a young farmer or farm couple for the award. People can even nominate themselves. The eli­gi­bility requirements are sim­ply:
- nominations in by the deadline;
- a committee reviews them and contacts the top candidates. Its decision is based on such things as the nominee’s pro­gress in an agricultural career; adoption of soil, water, and en­ergy conservation practices; financial and management prac­tices, and contributions to the well-being of the commu­nity, province, and nation;
- top candidates are asked to participate in an interview and presentation process in March in London. The winner will be announced at the final banquet; and  the provincial winner will compete in the national.