Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is pleased to announce the finalists for this year's Dairy Farm Sustainability Award, which is sponsored by DeLaval Canada."We are pleased to take the opportunity of Environment Week to present the Award to the four finalists," says Wally Smith, DFC president. "This year again, we have farmers who have shown innovative management practices, which we want to celebrate and share with all Canadians. This Award recognizes the dedication of these farmers towards sustainable farming and they are among the best environmental stewards in our country."
The four finalists selected this year are:
Wietze and Natalie Dykstra, Dykstra Farms, (Knowlesville, New Brunswick)
Stéphane, Claude and Ginette Robert, Ferme Clobert Inc. (Saint-Bonaventure, Quebec)
Bill Vanderkooi, Bakerview EcoDairy (Abbotsford, British Columbia)
Korb & Kelly Whale, and Korb's parents, Bruce & Deborah (Alma, Ontario)
These finalists are innovators, leaders in their communities and apply their individual philosophy with regards to sustainability on the farm. On top of using common measures farmers have been using on their farms for decades, these farmers are finding their own ways to bring sustainability on their farm to another level, meeting several goals DFC has outlined to continue improving the social, environmental and economic impact of dairy farming in Canada. Read more about the finalists on dairyfarmers.ca.
De Laval is proud to continue to sponsor the Dairy Farm Sustainability Award as it rewards Canadian farmers' innovation in sustainability.
DeLaval will join DFC in announcing the Laureate on July 17, 2014 at DFC's Annual General Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Laureate will receive a trophy and a $2,000 cash prize at the event. The other three finalists will each receive a trophy and $1,000 at their provincial meeting later this year.
"At DeLaval, we are committed to invest and support dairy farmers' efforts to improve efficiency on their farms," said Andrew Ritchie, managing director, DeLaval Inc. Canada. "Wherever possible, we endeavour to support sustainable food production by delivering solutions, which optimize resource efficiencies on dairy farms. This is smart farming."
DFC thanks the nine members of its selection committee, most of whom have now agreed for a third year in a row, to review the application forms and offer comments and perspectives on the candidates' environmental sustainability practices, their social contributions and care for their animals and the land.
6.5.2014