Marijke Oudshoorn and Willem van de Wetering, the proud proprietors of Spud Isle Farms located in Morell, Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), have been bestowed with the prestigious 2023 Outstanding Young Farmers award for Atlantic Canada.
This accolade is specifically designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of farmers between the ages of 18 and 39 who have made significant contributions to the agricultural sector, as Diego Flammini, Staff Writer for Farms.com reports.
Originally hailing from Holland, Marijke and Willem embarked on their Canadian journey, eventually settling in P.E.I. Here, they took the bold step of purchasing Spud Isle Farms, a sprawling 330-acre potato farm. Their journey was not without challenges. With no prior experience in potato farming, they faced a steep learning curve.
However, fortune favored them in the form of Blair and Janie MacDonald, the farm’s previous owners. The MacDonalds not only sold them the farm but also took on the role of mentors, guiding the young couple through the intricacies of potato farming.
Under their stewardship, Spud Isle Farms underwent a transformation. Marijke and Willem introduced a range of sustainable farming practices, emphasizing cover crops, reduced tillage, and innovative techniques aimed at environmental conservation.
With this significant regional achievement under their belt, the dynamic duo is now set to represent Atlantic Canada in the national Outstanding Young Farmers competition this coming November.
Source: Farms.com. Read the full story here
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