March 3, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Newfoundland and Labrador dairy farmers honoured

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, commends Phil Maclean and Pauline Duivernvoorden of Corner Brook on being recognized as one of "Atlantic Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers".

"Both Philip and Pauline have made a tremendous contribution to agriculture in the province and are very deserving of this award," said the minister. "The Outstanding Young Farmers Program is an ongoing national program where young agricultural producers are recognized for their hard work, and their contributions to their community and the agricultural industry."

Nominees are judged on their conservation practices, production history, financial and management practices and contributions to their community, country and the farming community. Dr. Pauline Duivenvoorden and Philip Maclean have been dairy farming in Newfoundland for almost 10 years. They began farming in Little Rapids and started a second operation in Reidville almost four years ago and are currently milking 175 cows between both farms. The herd in Little Rapids is all purebred and is on official milk recording. They have approximately 500 acres of land in production between both operations.

Pauline Duivenvoorden graduated from the University of Guelph with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as a regional veterinarian on the province's west coast for several years before becoming a full time dairy farmer. Pauline has been very active in the agricultural community, serving on such committees as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and was a founding member of the Western Regional Livestock Exhibition. For the past two years Pauline has also taken part in the Canadian Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program.

Philip Maclean has also been involved in the agricultural community. He has been a member of the executive of the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador, and served on the Dairy Farmers of Canada for the last couple of years. Mr. Maclean was also a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Milk Foundation. Philip attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College where he studied agricultural business.

These young farmers will be recognized at the Atlantic Farm Mechanization Show on March 5 in Moncton, New Brunswick. In addition to regional recognition, one of the five farm couples selected in Atlantic Canada, will be selected to represent Atlantic Canada at the National Outstanding Young Farmers Program in Regina later this year.

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183.

1999 03 03 10:00 a.m.