_0.png)
Saskatchewan's Outstanding Young Farmers (SOYF) for 2023 will be named during a luncheon on Thursday.
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (COYF) recognizes farmers and farm couples who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote agriculture.
The program is open to farmers or couples who derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming operations.
Saskatchewan is one of seven regions in the program with each region holding an event with local nominees.
This year's nominees include two farming operations - Jake and Sarah Leguee and Erik Nikolejsin of Leguee Farms at Weyburn; and Russ and Beth Wildfong of Wildfong Enterprises at Craik.
Leguee Farms was established in 1956, in the late 70's Russ and Sharon took over the farm and in the late '80s started minimum till.
They grew the acreage base by nearly 700%, and in the early 2000’s began phasing out the cattle to focus exclusively on crop production.
In the early 2010's the couple turned the management of the farm over to their children Jake and Sarah who became partners in the operation.
Erik who is married to Russ and Sharon’s youngest daughter Amber joined the farm team in 2017.
Today, Sarah, Jake, and Erik manage the farm as a team and intensely manage their crops finding new ways to look after their soils and their margins.
Russ and Beth Wildfong own and operate Wildfong Enterprises at Craik.
Russ grew up on the family farm and at the age of 18 rented his first two quarters and started farming, land he would later buy.
He got his Engineering degree at the U of S and after a short time in Calgary and northern Alberta, working as an engineer-in-training for the Canadian Natural Resources, Russ came back to finish his degree and concentrate on working on his farm.
Beth obtained her Commerce degree and currently runs a commercial development company.
They expanded their land base by purchasing the family farm and today farm 10,000 acres growing canola, durum, and lentils.
They started a new business called Wildfong Concaves where they manufacture Ag parts for combine harvesters, using Canadian-sourced raw steel and consumables.
Leguee Farms at Weyburn and Wildfong Enterprises at Craik are the nominees for this year's Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmer Award.
The two farming operations will be featured during Saskatchewan's OYF Luncheon on Thursday, June 22, as part of Canada's Farm Show in Regina.