Central Alberta is well-positioned to retain bragging rights as the home to Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmer.
The four finalists for the 2010 title include two farm couples from the region: Patrick and Cherylynn Bos of Rock Ridge Dairies at Ponoka, and Tamara and Mark Taylor of Ravenwood Farm Fresh Meats at Caroline.
Rock Ridge Dairies is a mixed farm with dairy goats and a milk and cheese plant. Ravenwood Farm Fresh Meats produces a variety of livestock species and operates a store, butcher shop and café.
A winner named late next week in Edmonton. Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmer for 2010 will then represent the province at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer awards Nov. 23 to 28 in Victoria.
Geoff Hoar, who operates San Emideo Ranch Corp. near Innisfail, was Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmer for 2009. He will be among the keynote speakers during this year’s selection process in Edmonton.
A news release issued by Alberta’s Outstanding Young Farmer Program said the 2010 finalists were selected on the basis of “progress made in their agricultural career, environmental and safety practices, crop and livestock production history, financial and management practices and their contributions to the well-being of the community, province and nation.”
Nominees must have been under 40 years of age as of Jan. 1.