Today, BC farmers, Thomas & Catherine Cuthbert of Southcoast Agro Farms located at Ladysmith were named BC/Yukon’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. The event was held in Abbotsford at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre on February 18-19. Over 70 industry people were in attendance including MP Brad Vis and MP Alistair McGregor. The event is presented by RBC and is supported by platinum sponsor, the BC Chicken Marketing Board.
The BC/Yukon Region of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (BCOYF) were pleased to have two impressive operations from Vancouver Island at the 2025 Regional Event. The Nominees recognized were:
Albert Gorter & Chelsea Enns of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, Parksville BC
Thomas & Catherine Cuthbert of Southcoast Agro Farms Ltd, Ladysmith BC
Thomas and Catherine Cuthbert, along with their four children, farm on Vancouver Island with a focus on producing broiler chickens for Island Farmhouse Poultry. They began self-marketing free-range roasting chickens in 2018 and expanded to a grass-fed beef operation in 2022, growing their herd to meet increasing demand. In addition to their farm, Thomas manages the family dairy nearby. As fourth-generation farmers, they are proud to pass on their farming knowledge to their children and contribute fresh, local food to their community. Thomas’s parents Ben & Suzanne Cuthbert were named BC & Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers back in 1996.
Present at the event, Brian Pauls, Chair of the BCOYF program, had this to say about the nominees: “It is wonderful to see such enthusiastic young farmers emerge from the Island. Both nominee finalists are inspirational.” Also attending the event was National Board member, Celia Neault who had this comment, “The BC regional event allowed us to discover two farm couples who are committed to delivering quality products. They are true ambassadors of sustainable agriculture and know how to adapt to the market and its consumers.”
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture, Meridian Manufacturing and CN with media sponsors Glacier FarmMedia and WS and video sponsor, Bamboo Shoots. It is supported nationally by BDO.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers of 2025 will be chosen during the national competition that will be held in Toronto, ON, from November 27th to 30th 2025.