It was a tie for the award for Canada’s newest outstanding young farmers from British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
The award was presented in Vancouver Dec. 5 to Ron and Jessie Brar of Evergreen Herbs Ltd. in Surrey, B.C., and Brian and Edna Newcombe of Cornwallis Farms Ltd. in Port Williams, N.S.
The two couples were chosen from the seven 2003 finalists. Runners-up were Carl Marquis and Lorraine Lemay for Quebec, Scott and Gloria Paisley for Ontario, Lyndon and Laurelly Biswitherick for Manitoba, Lionel and Melody Ector for Saskatchewan and Steve Snider for Alberta and the western territories.
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In less than 10 years, the Brars took a garage-based idea and transformed it into a horticultural business that employs 75 people. Their Evergreen Herbs grows, packages and markets gourmet herbs, lettuce, baby vegetables and edible flowers across North America.
The Newcombes are the ninth generation on their Nova Scotian mixed farming operation that includes seven different business units from livestock to crops to landscaping.
“We make it pretty tough on the judges with the calibre of honourees that we bring together,” said Doug Cranston, president of the Outstanding Young Farmers of Canada. “It’s a shame there can’t be seven titles.”
The Outstanding Young Farmers program is an annual competition now completing its 24th year, which recognizes excellence in farming. It is open to participants 18 to 39 years of age who make the majority of their income from on-farm sources.
