The late Bradley Barton has been honoured with a prestigious national award for his contributions to agriculture in the Yukon.
Farm Management Canada recently held its annual Agricultural Excellence Conference where Barton was posthumously recognized as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Wilson Loree Award. Now in its twenty-third year, the Award honours individuals or groups who have made an extraordinary contribution to advancing farm business management in Canada.
Barton grew up in Vankleek Hill and died on July 17, 2025, after battling brain cancer. He was the son of Bobbie and the late Bruce Barton.
According to Farm Management Canada, Bradley Barton’s career with the Yukon Government Agricultural Branch was defined by his dedication to advancing agriculture in northern Canada. During 15 years as Yukon’s representative and six years as the provincial–territorial Ministry Network Representative on the Farm Management Canada Board of Directors, he played a central role in promoting farm management excellence across the country. Barton’s work included leading research and demonstration projects such as long-term soil amendment trials and crop adaptation studies that strengthened local food production in the Yukon’s uniquely challenging environment.
Each year, Barton worked with dozens of Yukon producers on business planning, risk management, and major decision-making. He also mentored many new and experienced producers, helping them build viable operations and contributing to the growth of Yukon’s farming community. For more than a decade, Barton led the North of 60 Agriculture Conference, a cornerstone event that brought together farmers, First Nations, industry partners, and government for learning and collaboration.
Barton’s nomination was put forward by Trish Laugharne (retired) and Gary Flaten from the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food. His nomination was further supported by Kristine Ferris and Kirk Price from the Yukon Government’s Agriculture Branch.
The Award’s namesake, Wilson Loree, formally announced Bradley Barton as the 2025 recipient at the Agricultural Excellence Conference. Barton’s wife Emily accepted the Award.
Barton’s cousin Valerie Allen remembers his early agricultural activities and passion for them.
“Brad worked on our family farm for a couple summers (Allensite Farms). He also showed a calf in 4H. Brad was also a great athlete, especially a runner,” she said.
Allen shared that at Barton’s celebration of life in 2025, retired Physical Education Teacher Sid MacCallum told the story about Barton telling him he could not attend a cross-country running meet because he had to show his calf at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.
“I guess Bradley had agriculture in his bones early on!” Allen commented.
