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Co-op to help four students begin postsecondary educations toward career in agriculture this fall

Western Canada, 2014-8-27 — /EPR Retail News/ — Four students beginning post-secondary educations this fall are establishing roots toward a career in agriculture with the help of Co-op.  Each student is eligible to receive scholarships up to $20,000, paid summer internships, and the opportunity to secure future employment (including signing bonus) during their pursuit of a diploma or degree in agriculture or business.

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), in collaboration with local retail Co-ops in Western Canada, launched the Excellence in Ag program last year. The program provides scholarships up to $20,000, paid summer internships, and the opportunity to secure future employment (including a signing bonus) to students pursuing a diploma or degree in agriculture or business.

“Co-op has a long tradition of supporting agriculture in Western Canada,” says Ron Healey, FCL’s Associate Vice-President of Ag and Home. “We believe in the future of agriculture and are proud to support its growth with our investment in the Excellence in Ag program.”

Healey added there are some misconceptions about what a career in agriculture really means today.

“Few other industries are in the midst of such innovative change and offer so many diverse career paths,” Healey said. “This program encourages students to consider agriculture, allows them to apply classroom principles in a practical internship, while providing them monetary support in pursuing their educational and career aspirations.”

This year’s scholarship and internship recipients include:

  • Alison Kuhn (Unity, Sask.) is entering her first year in the Animal Science Technology program at Lakeland College.
  • Kaylee Morris (Delisle, Sask.) is entering her first year in the Agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).
  • Danean Edgar (Wolseley, Sask.) is entering her first year in the Agribusiness program at the U of S.
  • Michelle Ross (Grenfell, Sask.) is entering her first year in the Animal Science program at the U of S.

The students wrote a 500-word essay as part of the application process on one of three topics, including: co-operatives and their impact on their local communities; the future of agriculture in Western Canada; and how co-operatives can stay relevant in agriculture in Western Canada. They also provided two recommendation letters from a teacher, principal or guidance counsellor.

The deadline for applications for the Excellence in Ag program will be January 31, 2015. Information will be available later this fall through your local Co-op ag centre and this website.

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Excellence in Ag recipients were presented with their awards Aug. 26, from left: Kaylee Morris, Michelle Ross, Ron Healey (FCL Associate Vice-President, Ag and Home), Danean Edgar and Alison Kuhn.
Excellence in Ag recipients were presented with their awards Aug. 26, from left: Kaylee Morris, Michelle Ross, Ron Healey (FCL Associate Vice-President, Ag and Home), Danean Edgar and Alison Kuhn.
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