Couple wins Canada Outstanding Young Farmers award

A Mossbank couple shares the 2007 Canada Outstanding Young Farmers award.
Laura and Norman Shoemaker operate a 5,440 acre farm near Mossbank, which is a pedigree seed grower with crops planted in barley, chickpeas, lentils, wheat and canola.
The couple set out to build a successful family farming operation, said Joan Cranston, program manager of Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers' Program.
A decision to separate land ownership from the business helped achieve the family's goals. The couple rents much of the land it farms. The couple also operated in partnership with family for six years.
The operation has reduced energy consumption by use of direct seeding and an environmental farm plan that includes global satellite positioning auto steer on the air seeder and a sharp shooter system on the sprayer.
The couple has two children aged nine and 11, and is active in the community, especially in the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs.
The Shoemakers share the award with Harry and Leony Koelen, who came to Canada in 1991 with a backpack, $2,000 and a dream of building their own hog farm.
H & L Koelen Farms Limited operates an 1,110-acre and 5,400-sow operation near Paisley, Ont.
The awards were presented Dec. 7 in Ste Hyacinth, Que., following a week of activities.
Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers' program has recognized young farmers' excellence and promotion of agriculture since 1982.
Participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is open to farmers between ages 18 to 39 making the majority of income from on-farm sources.

Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.