The 2012 Farmer Appreciation Night was held at McKenna Hall on October 30. Presented by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce, the evening is an annual celebration of the contribution of agriculture to the success of the community. Entertainment was provided by comedian Jody Peters.
'Three Farmers', Dan Vandenhurk, Ron Emde and Colin Rosengren of the Midale area, who are the growers of camelina oilseed, were presented with the 2012 Golden Sheaf Award.
"These local farmers are to be commended for their entrepreneurial approach in providing a new local Canadian product - one that is delicious, healthy, and completely traceable," said Weyburn Chamber of Commerce president Jeff Chessall, presenter of the award.
In March of 2007, a group of three second and third generation farmers from the Midale area embarked on a journey to give a long lost oilseed, Camelina sativa, new life in the Canadian marketplace. This ancient grain was formerly used in North America to make biodiesel fuel.
The Three Farmers - Vandenhurk, Emde and Rosengren - recognized that there was a significant opportunity to revisit this grain's original use as cooking oil.
The grain is drought resistant, cold tolerant and great for the regional climate. In 2010, Three Farmers was the first to introduce it as culinary oil in Canada.
The exceptional oil is produced using a unique cold press technique, which ensures that its natural nutrients and flavour remain intact. The oil is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, which makes it great choice for health-conscious consumers.
Louise and Dan Vandenhurk accepted the award on behalf of their company, which is comprised of the three growers of the camelina sativa, along with their families.
Natasha Vandenhurk and Elysia Vandenhurk of 'Three Farmers' recently appeared on CBC-TV's Dragon's Den, where they pitched for an investment and were met with an offer from Dragon Arlene Dickinson of $150,000 in return for 20 percent of the company.
As the sole growers of the seed oil, Three Farmers will use the investment for national marketing.
"It's quite an honour to be a farmer here in Weyburn," said Louise Vandenhurk. "We really appreciate southern Saskatchewan for noticing us."
She added that the objective for seeking an investment from the Dragons was not only to market as effectively as possible, but to keep camelina oil Saskatchewan-produced.
"It is grown here in southeast Saskatchewan. It is cold-pressed in Tisdale and bottled in Spalding," she said, noting that her daughters have been marketing camelina oil for two years.
"Since Natasha and Elysia took this on in 2010 when it became a food product, they've been pounding on doors in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg and they could write a book, because it's been an amazing venture for both of them," said Vandenhurk. "Natasha has got an Economics degree and Elysia is a Red Seal chef, so Elysia is doing all kinds of different things with the oil. It is an amazing product, so we thank southeast Saskatchewan."
Pharmasave has been retailing the product on behalf of Three Famers since 2010 and it is also available at Old Fashion Foods.
