BELLEVILLE-Steve and Lisa Cooper of Zephyr were named the 2010 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers at a banquet in the Ramada Inn here on March 30, out of six finalists from among a record 36 nominations for the prestigious award.
Nominated by one of their customers, Tina Kilbourne of Newmarket, the Coopers competed in the finals with Smiths Falls dairy farmers Hugh and Arlene Hunter, turkey producer Matthew Fischer of Listowel, dairy goat farmer Katie Normet of Arthur, dairy goat farmers Anthony and Marj Sjaarda of Wyoming and Amy Strom of Guelph, a sweet corn grower and agri-tourism operator.
When the Coopers started farming, they believed they could make a living farming, being situated just north of Toronto, with its large consumer base and the value of their land would generate wealth over a long term. However, as the Greenbelt around Toronto was implemented in 2005, they had to change their direction.
As adverse weather, low commodity prices and a smaller cattle market hampered their prospects for financial stability, they decided to put in a market garden in the late 1990s. With the addition of a corn stand, they tried their hand at direct marketing. In 2000, they sold the cattle and replaced them with meat goats. They converted the cropping area of the farm into an on-farm store and an agri-entertainment area with a corn maze, kids’ play area, fall festival and recently a pick-your-own section. Local Food Plus, an organization that certifies farmers engaged in local sustainable food production and helps them connect with buyers, approved their farm and its products.
In 2007, the Coopers joined a Community Shared Agriculture program to market their fruits and vegetables and 50 families signed up to receive a weekly basket of vegetables for 20 weeks. Their efforts were quickly rewarded by 2008 as their customer list grew to include 235 families around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). With a small greenhouse and by planting late spinach and greens, they extended the growing season. Pasture beef and pasture-raised broiler chickens were added to their list of products.
Their website (www.coopersfarm.ca) describes "Cooper’s CSA Farm & Maze" as a market garden that uses sustainable and organic practices. It is also home to the Uxbridge Maze with a 10-acre corn labyrinth, corn box, mini-hay bale mazes and echo tubes for kids.
Like many successful young farmers, the Coopers believe networking and education is key. They joined both the Agricultural Leadership Program and the George Morris Centre’s C-Team program for farm business managers. They volunteer their time to local farm organizations, farmers’ markets and minor sports teams.
To provide a good supply of water to their fruit and vegetable crops, the Coopers use a biodegradable plastic mulch and drip irrigation. By using a certified crop adviser and an integrated pest management plan, they have reduced their use of pesticides and disease control products by 75 per cent over 10 years.
They feel fortunate to work together on their operation and are starting to involve their children, Cayla and Trenton, as well.
In the Eastern Ontario region, the Hunters were nominated by the Ontario Holstein Association. Since they both grew up with dairy cows, farming was a natural option for the young couple. With the cooperation of parents and siblings, they formed a succession plan to take over the ownership of Hugh’s parents’ farm in 2003.
Since then, Hugh consulted with a professional crop adviser and has been rewarded with production increases in corn and hay, and a better balance of the nutrient needs of the soil through the addition of manure.
As their property includes some 200 acres in forest and wetlands, their farm is home to "a veritable wildlife preserve", which they allow their neighbours to enjoy, as a refreshing alternative to increasing urbanization.
With new dairy facilities and high profile genetics, the Hunters have seen large increases in their milk production, improved herd health and cow comfort and international embryo sales.
In 2007, they became the first commercial dairy in the world to install a new DelPro herd management system through Delaval Canada. This uses blue-tooth technology to monitor and manage data on milk weights, reproductive performance, health and treatment records and feed intake.
Outside the farm, Hugh’s interests in dairy have involved him with Holstein Ontario, 4-H and led him to become a judge for Holstein Canada.
He also plays baritone with the Smiths Falls Community Concert Band, and Arlene volunteers with the Ontario Early Years Centre, Mothers of Preschoolers and Trinity United Church.
AgriProfile
April, 2010
Vol. 34, No. 4
AGRIPROFILE
