By Alice McFarlane

Nominees for Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers

Jan 24, 2025 | 9:19 AM

Canada’s Farm Show in Regina, Sask. will provide the platform for outstanding farm business leaders to be recognized for their contributions.

Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers (SOYF) highlights the young farmers who are quietly making a profound impact on their farms, communities and the future of agriculture in Saskatchewan.

The 2025 nominees are Brady & Lindsay Funk, Braylin Acres from Wymark, Marc & Cheryl Norleen, 4G Land & Livestock of Raymore, and Steven & Danielle Malo, Malo Farms & Wolf Creek Bison from Wolseley.

These individuals may not see themselves as extraordinary, but their dedication and innovation make them true trailblazers in the industry. Elaine Pruim, who with her husband Art was nominated in 2009 and now serves as the Program Coordinator for SOYF. She said they didn’t see themselves as outstanding at the time.

“We were just doing what needed to be done,” Pruim said. “Digging into what we had been doing throughout the process really put things into perspective for us. It changed the way we think about our farm business.”

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The SOYF program is about more than awards. Prium said it’s about recognizing innovation, inspiring each other and their peers, and creating a sense of pride within our agriculture community.

“This year’s nominees are not only exceptional farmers but also leaders who are making meaningful contributions to Canadian agriculture.”

Tannis Axten of Axten Farms, another alum, shared a similar sentiment:

“I didn’t understand the value of the program at first. We were just doing what we knew how to do. But once we got involved, we realized how much we had accomplished and how much more we could do,” Axren said.

The SOYF process, which includes both a regional and a national competition, encourages farmers to recognize the innovation, resilience and commitment that often go unnoticed in their everyday work.

Whether it is investing in new equipment, prioritizing soil health, embracing technology or restructuring their business to ensure long-term sustainability, each nominee brings something unique to the table. In fact, many of these nominees take it even further, helping to bridge the gap between consumers and producers, educating the public on where their food comes from and shaping the future of agriculture with their thoughtful approach to innovation.

This event takes place on Mar. 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Queensbury Building.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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