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And the finalists in the Free State Young Farmer of the Year competition are Louis de Jager, Nants Yzel, Jimmy Roberts, Annalea van Niekerk, and Douglas Osler. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

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Young Farmer of the Year: Meet the Free State finalists

by Nicole Ludolph
8th April 2021
in Groundbreakers
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
And the finalists in the Free State Young Farmer of the Year competition are Louis de Jager, Nants Yzel, Jimmy Roberts, Annalea van Niekerk, and Douglas Osler. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

And the finalists in the Free State Young Farmer of the Year competition are Louis de Jager, Nants Yzel, Jimmy Roberts, Annalea van Niekerk, and Douglas Osler. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

In just five days from now the Free State will crown its new Young Farmer of the Year. Five finalists have been chosen to compete for, among other prizes, a cash prize and a spot in the Toyota Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year competition.

Vying for the honour is Annalea van Niekerk, a Reitz cattle farmer who was also nominated last year.

Free State farmer, Annalea van Niekerk. Photo: Supplied/ Food For Mzansi
Free State Sussex breeder Annalea van Niekerk. Photo: Supplied/ Food For Mzansi

The Sussex breeder, who was also featured on the For the love of the land television series, hopes to make a difference in people’s lives.

Also, she feels young farmers in South Africa have a responsibility to grow the agricultural sector.

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Douglas Osler, an apple farmer from Fouriesburg, believes that “what you put in, you will get out”. He is especially excited about the potential of technology to take the sector forward.

To Louis de Jager, a livestock farmer from Wepener, the role of the young farmer is incredibly important, and includes developing people in order to make agriculture sustainable.

ALSO READ: ‘Don’t go with the flow like a dead fish,’ says dynamic young farmer

Embrace opportunities in agriculture

For Jimmy Roberts, a livestock, arable and game farmer from Hertzogville, a positive attitude is a young farmer’s best weapon. Roberts believes that “you have to spot every opportunity and make the most of it.”

Meanwhile fifth finalist Nants Yzel, an arable farmer from Marquard, feels that young farmers must provide food, create jobs, and ensure prosperity in the countryside. He finds that young farmers bring an energy to their role that is rarely found elsewhere.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges under the leadership of Professor Pieter Fourie, head of Central University of Technology’s department of agriculture.

Free State Agriculture’s 24th Young Farmer of the Year Herman Janse van Rensburg and his wife Huibrè.
Free State Agriculture’s 24th Young Farmer of the Year Herman Janse van Rensburg and his wife Huibrè.

The panel, having already visited the farms of the finalists in February 2020, based their decisions on a number of criteria, including future vision, budget and finances, production, marketing, maintenance, personnel management and community involvement.

The previous winner, Herman Janse van Rensburg from Arlington, encourages young farmers to farm with passion. “If you lose your passion, you lose heart. Therefore: Do what you have to do and seize the opportunities that come your way.”

ALSO READ: Free State Young Farmer of the Year’s optimism is infectuous

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This year’s winner will be announced on Tuesday, 13 April 2021. 

Tags: Free State AgricultureFree State Young Farmer of the YearToyotaYoung Farmer of the Yearyoung farmers
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Nicole Ludolph

Nicole Ludolph

Born and bred in Cape Town, Nicole Ludolph is always telling a story. After a few years doing this and that, she decided that she might as well get paid for her stories. Nicole began her journalism career writing science articles for learner magazine Science Stars and interning at Getaway Magazine.

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