Young farmer award finalists just a small sample of what Ontario has to offer, says Spoelstra

Drew and Heather Spoelstra are finalists for the Ontario Young Farmer title. They run a diverse farm operation in Binbrook, and are pictured here with their kids: Hadlea, Harper, and Kasey. ~ Submitted photo

By Luke Edwards

Simply put, he’s a farmer, but ask Drew Spoelstra what kind of farmer he is and be prepared to wait a while as he responds.

That’s because he and his family are dairy farmers, beef farmers, veal farmers, cash croppers, seed dealers, and they raise about 50 clydesdales. Oh, and Spoelstra’s also the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

“It is kind of a complex business structure,” Spoelstra admits. But it’s a structure that works for him and his family.

“We’ve always had a kind of diverse practice…It kind of spreads the risk and spreads the workload,” he said.

That diverse approach has landed the Binbrook farmer on the shortlist to represent Ontario in the Outstanding Young Farmers competition. Drew and Heather Spoelstra are finalists alongside Tyler and Allison McBlain.

“I’m excited to work through the process and see what happens, it’s certainly an honour to be nominated, I’m humbled by it and looking forward to the challenge,” Spoelstra said.

The nomination has given Drew and Heather a chance to take a step back and remind themselves of their business and  community accomplishments.

“It’s cool to reflect on what you’ve done,” he said.

Taking on all the responsibility, between the various aspects of the farm business and his role with OFA, keeps Spoelstra busy, and he said he wouldn’t be able to succeed without a strong support system.

“You need to have a good team of people both at home and at OFA and I’m lucky to have both,” he said.

At home that team involves his wife Heather, as well as his parents, who Drew said are still active on the farm.

And while he’s humbled by the honour, Spoelstra was quick to point out the many other young farmers in Ontario who are ensuring Ontario agriculture has a strong future.

“There are a lot of young farmers working across the province doing great things and it’s certainly cool to be recognized but there are countless others that could be recognized too,” he said.

“It’s definitely important to highlight them all.”

His fellow finalist also deserves all the recognition they’re receiving, Spoelstra said.

“They’re a generational farming family, which is awesome and they do good work,” Spoelstra said, describing the McBlains as staples of the Brant farming community.

The finalists will present before a panel of judges with the winner being announced at an event in St. Jacobs on Wednesday, April 8. The winner will go on to represent Ontario at a national competition in B.C. in November.

Spoelstras to host Breakfast on the Farm

Win or lose, Roy-A-Lea Farms will host a celebration later this year when the Spoelstras welcome the public for a Breakfast on the Farm event.

Taking place Saturday, June 13, visitors will be able to tour the Binbrook farm after enjoying a farm-fresh breakfast.

The Spoelstras recently installed a robotic milking system for their 60 Holsteins, and visitors will get a chance to learn about the technology along with the other aspects of the farm. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and more information, including tickets, can be found at farmfoodcareon.org/binbookbreakfast.