A couple from Minton, Saskatchewan is taking part in the National Outstanding Young Farmers Competition this week in Penticton, BC.

Derek and Tannis Axten of Axten Farms Ltd was named Saskatchewan’s 2017 Outstanding Young Farmers earlier this year at Canada’s Farm Progress Show.

In the last few years, the couple has been focusing on intercropping and companion cropping to improve the soil health.

"Our focus isn't necessarily on the plant that is growing above the ground, but it's on the biological process that occurs underneath," Tannis Axten said. " We just started looking at whats occurring under there and what's missing and trying to restore some balance."

Her husband, Derek, said that the thing they've noticed most is that they see better structure, colour, and water infiltration.

"Probably the thing we noticed the most is when we take a spade to the field and dig and then look at what we see we are seeing a better structure,  a nicer colour, and better water infiltration, those sorts of things," he said. "Keeping it covered and kept it alive root growing is important, very important part of our operation."

Her husband, Derek adds that an example this year they seeded mustard and lentils together adding a companion crop of clover. Once the crop is harvested, they will bring in livestock from a neighbouring producer to graze off the clover.