DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman, partners in Haybury Farms Inc. located in Jarvis, Ontario, have been named Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024 at a regional event held near Guelph on Aug 22, 2024.
Matt, raised on a dairy farm, began farming independently at the age of 23. He juggled an off-farm job with managing his farmland to pay off the mortgage. DJ, a lifelong farmer, initially focused on beef farming before transitioning to crop production.
In 2018, with 500 acres of rented land, they sought to maximize their returns. They adopted a more innovative approach to field management and row crop farming, emphasizing profit per acre. Their decision to incorporate organic practices into their hay fields proved to be a strategic move.
A trial of 25 acres of organic corn in 2018 demonstrated the viability of organic farming on their land. By capitalizing on the premium for organic beans and acre contracts, they achieved profitability in row crop farming.
Expanding their organic acreage to 400 acres in 2019 led to the creation of Claybank Organics. In 2021, they ventured into northern Ontario, purchasing a farm to grow straight timothy hay for export markets.
Today, Claybank Organics farms 1000 acres of organic corn, soybeans, and hay annually, while Haybury Farms manages 3200 acres. The partners have transitioned from relying on borrowed or leased equipment to owning and maintaining their own fleet.
Matt manages and makes most of the crop input decisions. DJ is the face of the farm and handles sales and customer relations while constantly chasing new opportunities.
“Both finalists, Romy and Ryan Schill along with DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman are real leaders in many aspects, of Canada’s exciting and diversified agriculture industry. The future is in good hands. The event hosted by Barn Swallow Fields at Thatcher Farms was a great celebration with a full house of Alumni, family members and dedicated sponsors. What a great celebration event it was!” National OYF board member, Richard Stamp, praised both finalists for their leadership and contributions to Canada's agriculture industry.
The national event, where Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2024 will be selected, is scheduled to take place in Lethbridge, Alberta, from November 27 to December 1, 2024.