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Canada’s Farm Show wrapped up Thursday night, but before the curtains closed on another year, two Saskatchewan farmers were celebrated.
Brady and Lindsay Funk won this year’s Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers Award for their work on Braylin Acres.
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The award recognizes young farmers who are making a positive impact on their farms, communities and the future of agriculture in Saskatchewan.
The couple’s farm is located just south of Swift Current, in the Wymark area. It’s been in Lindsay’s family for generations.
In 2021 the pair decided to buy land near Lucky Lake for a solo venture, while still continuing to run the family farm, where they created Canada’s largest subsurface drip irrigation project. While it might not be the traditional way to irrigate, Brady said it was a no-brainer.
“It was glaringly obvious that this was going to be the most efficient and profitable way to have generational family farm success in our operation,” he said.
He said his faith and tours of other farms that led him to make the choice.
Brady said the first step of subsurface drip irrigation is installing water lines roughly 11 inches below the topsoil.
“Then, through different valves and pressure compensators and pumps, the water is delivered to the field edge, and then pushed through those water lines that are below, and they pulsate the water up to the root zone of the plant,” he explained.
Three farming couples were up nominated for this year’s award. The Funks, Steven and Danielle Malo and Marc and Cherly Norleen. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Deep family roots
For the Funks, farming is in their blood.
Brady was raised on a mixed grain and cattle farm in Consul, in the southwest corner of the province.
Lindsay said she loves that she can still farm alongside her dad and brother.
“I loved having space. I loved being able to learn to drive machinery, that sort of thing, and it was a wonderful way for me to grow up farming with my parents, my grandparents and my siblings,” she said.
She’s excited to hand down this legacy to her kids.
“It’s a real honour and a privilege to be able to carry it on for our children as well,” Lindsay said.
Brady said he loves the challenges farming throws at him, and loves finding solutions.
“Having the vision of seeing a long-term project and then seeing that across the finish line, that would be where my heart and soul lies,” he explained.
He said having a strong team behind you is important to help you accomplish your goals.
Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers process
Farmers who are nominated for the award must complete lengthy paperwork and make presentations for a panel of judges.
The award, which includes a regional and national competition, encourages farmers to take a step back and truly acknowledge the effort, innovation and resilience that typically goes unnoticed in their everyday work.
Canada’s Farm Show provides a platform for these farmers to be recognized, while also allowing others to learn from their experiences and inspire others.
The national program is called Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers.
Every year, the event recognizes outstanding farm couples across the country between 18 and 39 years old who have shown great excellence in the field.
The national event is held from November 26-30 in Toronto.
