Jenny Butcher and Wes Kuntz of Little Brown Cow farm are the winners of this year’s Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers award.
Butcher and Kuntz operate Little Brown Cow Dairy, a dairy and beef farm that pasteurizes and processes milk into cheese products, which are sold in the on-farm store. They also provide homemade meals made in the onsite commercial kitchen.
“We provide a connection to people, to agriculture, to life, to real,” shares Butcher. “We feel that that’s one of the things that’s missing in this world is that connection to real life. So, what we’re most proud of on our farm is that we offer that connection to nature, life, agriculture, all in one package, to our customer base.”
The Little Brown Cow store has not only become a destination for people in the area looking for local food, but it is also an opportunity for other farmers to sell their goods.
The next major project for Ontario’s 2021 Outstanding Young Farmers is a new barn. “We’re currently working hard to try to understand how to incorporate that barn into our existing customer base, how to make the new barn a gift to our community, and to continue that connection that we’ve developed with our people,” states Butcher.
The recent Outstanding Young Farmers competition was held in Ingersoll for finalists and judges to attend in in person, and others followed live on YouTube. The three finalists include Butcher and Kuntz, Romy and Ryan Schill and Mike and Danielle Cornelissen.
About Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer’s Program
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers Program (COYF) is designed to recognize farmers and farm couples who exemplify excellence in their profession and promote their contribution to agriculture. Ontario is one of the seven regions that holds an event where local nominees are judged on specific criteria.
All regional winners represent their areas at an annual national event where they compete to be named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. Jenny Butcher and Wes Kuntz will compete in the national finals in December in Saskatoon.