Fruit producer Gurpreet Lidder, of Lidder’s Produce Ltd located in Keremeos has been named BC’s Outstanding Young Farmer for 2022. The winner was announced at the BC regional event presented by regional sponsor RBC Agriculture in Abbotsford on March 8-9.

Gurpreet Lidder, in partnership with his parents, operates an 80-acre fruit farm. Growing up on the fruit farm, Gurpreet completed his business degree and returned to the 35-acre farm in 2003. His initial goal was to produce high-quality fruit for the roadside market. He continues to improve efficiency through infrastructure so he can supply his wholesale market.

Lidder’s Produce Ltd. wants to control the fruit production process from growing to shipping. Using three types of tests-- soil, leaf and fruit -- Gurpreet continues to improve the quality of the farm’s fruit. Safety, communication and customer trust are the key to Gurpreet’s business success. The constant weather changes in the BC region over the last few years have created many new challenges.

Celebrating 42 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers who 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 program is sponsored nationally by CIBC, CN, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and supported nationally by BDO.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer National Event will be held November 23-27, 2022 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Source:  Canada Outstanding Young Farmer Program March 15, 2022 news release