Young Nova Scotia Farmers Honoured

Truro-area farmers Andrew and Maria McCurdy, and Larry and Marsha Weatherby were among the five young Atlantic Canadian farm couples honoured today for their agricultural achievements. They were recognized at Atlantic Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Program Regional Recognition Event in Moncton.

"Young farmers with fresh ideas, excellent business sense and a love of the industry are our future," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine. "The fact that two young farming couples from our province are being honoured says a great deal about the calibre of the next generation of farmers we have in Nova Scotia. Congratulations to the McCurdys and Weatherbys on being recognized with this honour."

Maria and Andrew McCurdy operate Bidalosy Farms Ltd. in Old Barns. They operate a dairy operation primarily, but also produce corn, soybean, carrots, sunflowers, cereals and forages. Andrew joined the family farm after graduating from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1990. Maria, also an agricultural college graduate, has worked as a loan officer with the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board since 1994. The McCurdys have one daughter.

Larry and Marsha Weatherby own and operate a beef operation in Lower Harmony where they also grow their own feed, hay and silage. Larry, who has been farming with his wife for over a decade, says he choose a career in farming because he always liked working with animals and enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing the efforts of his work. The Weatherbys have four children.

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Program is an ongoing national program. It was founded by the Canadian Junior Chamber/Jaycees in 1979 and is sponsored at the national level by John Deere Ltd., the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and AgrEvo. Young agricultural producers are recognized through the program for their hard work and contributions to their community and the agricultural industry.

To be eligible for the program, farmers must be between the ages of 18 and 39, derive at least two-thirds of their annual income from their farming operations, and demonstrate progress in their agricultural career. Nominees are judged on their conservation practices, production history, financial and management practices, and contributions to their community, country, and the farming industry.

In addition to regional recognition, one of the five farm couples will be selected to represent Atlantic Canada at the National Outstanding Young Farmers Program. This year's national program will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan. Here, Atlantic Canada's representative will compete against farmers from across the nation for Canada's Outstanding Young Farmer Award. Since the program's inception, 10 Atlantic Region representatives have taken top honours at the national level.