Producers from Alberta and B.C. are among the winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer (COYF) national event.
Greg and Sarah Stamp of Enchant, Alberta and Brad and Travis Hopcott of Pitt Meadows, B.C. were chosen from seven regional farmers at the event, held in Laval, Quebec November 22 to 26.
“Every year the regional finalists challenge the judges like never before,” said Danny Penner, COYF president, in a news release.
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“The future of agriculture is in good hands as long as young farmers like the ones that gathered at the COYF national program in Laval are involved. They all showcased incredible operations.
“Greg and Sarah Stamp of Stamp Seeds and Travis and Brad Hopcott of Hopcott Farms will be exceptional ambassadors for Canadian agriculture.”
Celebrating 43 years, the COYF program is an annual competition to recognize farmers 18 to 39 years of age who show excellence in their profession. Glacier FarmMedia — the publisher of this website — is a media partner of the program.
What began as a partnership with Greg Stamp’s parents in 2006 has become three separate operations run by Greg and his brothers Nathan and Matthew. The operations include Stamp Seeds (retail pedigreed seed), Stamp Farms (production of pedigreed seed for retail and contracts) and Flourish Farms (cropland).
Pedigreed seed is produced on 7,000 acres, of which 5,000 acres is under irrigation and 2,000 acres are farmed on dryland. Growing contract seed for others allowed Greg to expand the retail seed business and build a customer base.
The Stamp brothers use management zones and benchmark soil sampling to better manage fertility. On-farm field days, newsletters and social media are used to build awareness of the varieties produced.
“Sarah has been instrumental in developing management and succession plans to allow all the families to farm together,” reads a COYF news release.
What began as a dairy farm started by Brad and Travis Hopcott’s grandfather is now a 1,000-head beef feedlot with forage production, on-farm abattoir, 72-acre cranberry farm and a 17,000 square foot retail store and wedding venue.
Brad is in charge of the beef side. Travis is in charge of cranberries and their sister Jennifer runs the retail and wedding venue.
The Hopcotts recently renovated 20 per cent of their cranberry acres, introducing new varieties in order to double production. A water reservoir system allows 30 million gallons of water to be recycled in the cranberry bogs during the harvest season.
A $5 million abbatoir was added in 2022 for full integration of the beef operation. Utilizing waste tissue composting units allows for the integration of animal waste back into the forage fields.
“Having received support through the management transition, Brad and Travis hope to return the favour and mentor future B.C. farmers,” reads the release.
The winners were chosen from seven regional finalists, including the following from the other five regions: Rémi Taillon and Sophie Brodeur of Sainte-Dominque, Quebec; Stewart Skinner and Jessica Kelly of Listowel, Ontario; Jake and Sarah Leguee of Weyburn, Saskatchewan; Harley and Brooklyn Siemens of Rosenort, Manitoba and Marijke Oudshoorn and Willem van de Wetering of Morell, Prince Edward Island.
