2012 BC RECIPIENTS

BC’s youngest-ever Holstein Master Breeders are not only outstanding in the dairy show arena but outstanding among all BC farmers.

Peter and Nicole Tuytel of Elmbridge Farms in Chilliwack were named the winners of the 2012 BC & Yukon Outstanding Young Farmer Award in front of about 400 people at the annual BC Agriculture Gala in Abbotsford, Jan 25th. The Tuytels received their award from BC Minister of Agriculture Don McRae and BC OYF chair Suzanne Cuthbert, a former BC Outstanding Young Farmer.

Last year, Peter Tuytel was named a Master Breeder by Holstein Canada, an award which recognizes at least 15 years of superior dairy cattle breeding. Both have a lifelong passion for cattle and a keen understanding of what makes a superior cow. Peter began building his herd at age 14 while Nicole began even earlier, tracing her herd back to two calves her grandfather gave her when she was just four. Their most famous cow, Elmbridge FM Loveable, a two-time Canadian national champion, is actually a cross of Pete’s maternal line with Nicole’s paternal line and was named the best bred and owned cow in the red-and-white Holstein show at the 2011 World Dairy Expo. The Tuytels also own Davidsons Raider Bronze, the first Canadian cow to receive a 97/100 rating.

After beginning with a small dairy and broiler chicken farm in 1996, the Tuytels now operate a 70-acre dairy farm with 130 cows. Along the way, they have increased their production from an average of 24.5 kg/day in 2000 to 43.6 kg/day in 2011.

Runners-up for the 2012 BC OYF award were hog producers Chad and Angela Goertzen of Sundance Farms in Chilliwack. To be eligible for the Outstanding Young Farmer award, farmers must be between 19 and 39 years and derive at least two thirds of their income from farming. Nominees are judged on conservation practices, production history, financial and management practices, and community contributions. Selecting the 2012 winners were BMO agriculture account manager Lana Dueck, Ritchie Smith CEO Des Gelz and former Outstanding Young Farmer Karen Brown.

 

2011 BC RECIPIENTS

In 2001 Kevin was the food and beverage manager for a hotel in the Fraser Valley and Annemarie was doing a marketing for her parents farm in Chilliwack, while running a local bar, but in October 2001 the Klippensteins, sold everything and bought a 5 acre orchard in Cawston, BC. By January they were ordering seeds, pruning trees, and getting ready for their first growing season. Over the years they had a hard time keeping up with customer demand for their now certified organic produce.

 

Today, Klipper’s Organics farms approximately 40 acres and has built a cold storage facility to be able to provide produce year round. Their new drying facility also takes advantage of the solar hot water for the creation of dried goodies like apple crisps and tomatoes - the second of which the farm grows a whopping 168 varieties. They market their products not only locally, but thru the Vancouver Farmers markets and into several Vancouver restaurants. Kevin and Annemarie have started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that members sign up for and receive a share of the farms harvest throughout the year, as well as starting a apprenticeship program designed to teach all areas of organic farm practise.

This young progressive couple have worked hard to create a farming environment that is sustainable and at the same time provide a lifestyle for their 4 children, ages 5-13. Their goals continue to find ways to improve their organic farming practises, educate people on what they are eating and pass on this knowledge to other young farmers starting out.

 

For more information on this amazing couple go to their website at www.Klippersorganics.com.

 

Photo: Left to right, Derek Janzen (National Vice-President Canada OYF), Suzanne Cuthbert (BC OYF Chairperson), Kevin Klippenstein, Annemarie Klippenstein, Honourable Ben Stewart (BC Minister of Agriculture)

 

2011 NATIONAL RECIPIENTS

 

2011 Winners: Annamarie & Kevin Klippenstein (BC/Yukon), Jennifer & Geoff Bishop (Atlantic region)

 

Nova Scotian dairy farmers and British Columbian organic produce farmers are Canada’s 2011 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). Geoff and Jennifer Bishop of Round Hill, Nova Scotia and Kevin and Annamarie Klippenstein of Cawston, British Columbia were chosen at the OYF annual national event held recently in Brandon, Manitoba.

“This year’s OYF winners demonstrate the tremendous diversity that makes up the Canadian agriculture industry,” says Brian Newcombe, OYF president. “The Bishops and Klippensteins represent the refreshing evolving landscape of farming – next generation farmers steeped in rural family tradition to young farmers who bring experience from other industries home to their new operation. It takes a country full of innovative entrepreneurs to help feed our growing population and contribute to the vital industry that OYF so proudly promotes and recognizes.”

 

Read the full press release.

 

Photo: Left to right, David Anderson (Parliamentary Secretary), Komie Hossini (Bayer CropScience), Annamarie & Kevin Klippenstein (BC/Yukon), Jennifer & Geoff Bishop (Atlantic region), Jennifer Christie (John Deere), Caroline St-Pierre (AAFC), Steve Meston (CIBC)

 

Past Recipients

 

Gene & Shelly Covert - Oliver, BC (2010)

Ian & Jennifer Woike, Duncan, BC (2009)
David & Lisa Taylor, Courtenay, BC (2008) *
Bert and Debbie Bos, Abbotsford, BC (2007)
Pieter and Anita de Bruin, Abbotsford, BC (2006)
Derek & Rhonda Janzen, Aldergrove, BC (2005)
Rick & Karen Thiessen, Abbotsford, BC (2004) *
Ron & Jessie Brar, Surrey, BC (2003) *
Glen & Laurie Bowman, Winfield, BC (2002) *
Walter & Annette Siemens, Abbotsford, BC (2001)
Roger Bailey & Diane Courchesne, Oyama, BC (2000)
David & Sandy Janssens, Surrey, BC (1999)
Fred & Tracy Wein, Aldergrove, BC (1998)
Terry & Bonnie Ludwig, Black Creek, BC (1997)
Ben & Suzanne Cuthbert, Ladysmith, BC (1996)
John & Kelly Schroeder, Abbotsford, BC (1995) *
William & Marlene Van Baalen, Langley, BC (1994) *
David & Margery Graham, Abbotsford, BC (1993)
Charles & Lois Keller, Louis Creek, BC (1992)
Casey & Linda Houweling, Delta, BC (1991) *
Frank & Elma Pauls, Sardis, BC (1990)
Claude & Brenda Moreira, Osoyoos, BC (1989)
Sharon & Mike Malmberg, Fort Steele, BC (1988)
Ted & Penny Ritchie, Naramata, BC (1987)
Allen & Valarie Looy, Errington, BC (1986) *
Clarence & Pat Jensen, Abbotsford, BC (1985)
Louis & Elizabeth Schurmann, Abbotsford, BC (1984)
Rod & Diana King, Penticton, BC (1982)
Greig & Joanne McLeod, Nanaimo, BC (1981)
Andy & Marjorie Brims, Okanagan Falls, BC (1980)

  *denotes National Outstanding Young Farmers