Due to an important transition for Québec Outstanding Young Farmers, the winners for 2024 were revealed during summer activities held at La Grange de l'île, Île d'Orléans, on July 3. Simon Plante and Alison Blouin of Polyculture Plante from Sainte- Pétronille will proudly represent Québec at the National Event in Lethbridge, Alberta in November 2024.

Simon Plante, a horticultural producer, joined the Polyculture Plante, a farm founded by his parents, located in Sainte-Pétronille on Île d'Orléans in 2009. He is now the sole shareholder of this farm where his partner, Alison Blouin, as well as his parents and his uncle work.

He joined the farm full-time while completing a technical degree in business management from Collège François-Xavier-Garneau. At the same time, his brother and sister-in-law also joined the business. The objective became to significantly increase the farm's income so that it could provide for the needs of four families.

Today, they are cultivating 327 acres, of which 172 are owned. The Polyculture Plante farm produces 100 acres of summer strawberries, 32 acres of fall strawberries, three acres of raspberries under tunnel, two acres of blueberries, 30 acres of apples, 32 acres of sweet corn, four acres of field tomatoes, one acre of onions, and four acres of squash and pumpkins. The company also operates a maple grove (4,500 taps) that offers maple products and several processed products.

 Alison recently joined the farm, after completing a technical degree in agricultural business management and technology and after working 10 years on two other farms.

The vision and actions of Simon and Alison have made it possible to develop a healthy and up-to-date company. 

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year.

The national event will be held in Lethbridge, Alberta from November 27-Dec 1, 2024.

Source:  Canada Outstanding Young Farmers July 12, 2024 news release