Alberta, Nova Scotia Farm Couples Named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013

Nov 18, 2013

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Two husband and wife farm teams were crowned with the title of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013 in Regina on Friday. Winning couples are from Alberta and Nova Scotia - Michael Kalisvaart and his wife Karen Jansen from Gibbons, Alberta and James and Amanda Kinsman from Beswick, Nova Scotia.

The Alberta farm family own and operate Kalco Farms, an 8,000 acre commercial grain business. Michael is a recent graduate from the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management, and has completed various leadership and business courses. Michael played an instrumental role in starting up a ‘Share the Harvest’ project in his area, which helps raise funds for the Canadian Foodsgrains Bank.

The Nova Scotia farm family – the Kinsman’s own and operate Windscrest Farms Ltd., a 190 Holstein dairy milking herd. Over the past five years, the Kinsman’s have doubled the size of their operation and also farm 1,700 acres. James is an aggie and a graduate from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, while his wife Amanda recently completed her Masters and a degree in education. In addition to raising twin two-year-old daughters and being a farm wife, Amanda is also active in her community, including 4-H.

Seven regional nominees were judged on criteria including – career progress, environmental stewardship, production history, financial practices and involvement within the community. The nomination processes for the 2014 award are now open. Applications are due by Sunday, Dec. 15th, 2013. Forms can be downloaded here.

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