British Columbia has a field of five nominees to winnow to one provincial representative for the Canadian outstanding young farmer for 2007.
The province’s winner will be chosen Feb. 16.
“Five is our largest ever number of finalists,” said B.C. nominations chair Dave Dieleman. “We felt it was important for so many to go forward … because they provide a sampling of the diverse agricultural opportunities available in B.C.”
The 2007 finalists are Bert and Debbie Bos of Bos Sod Farm in Abbotsford, Kevin and Annemarie Klippenstein of Klippers Organic Acres in Cawston, William Cheuk of Origin Organics in Delta, Armand and Petra Vander Meulen of Vander Meulen Greenhouses in Abbotsford and Ian and Jennifer Woike of Running W Egg Farm in Duncan.
To be eligible for the outstanding young farmer award, farmers must be between 19 and 39 years of age, derive at least two-thirds of their annual income from farming and demonstrate progress in their agriculture careers.
Nominees are judged on conservation practices, production history, financial and management practices and community contributions.
