Ontario youth can take advantage of their hard work with scholarships and bursaries from numerous Ontario farm groups.
Here is a list of some of the scholarships available for Ontario ag students.
JANUARY
Kemptville College Alumni: Two $500 scholarships for students enrolled in their second year of an agricultural related or food related college/university program. They must have a relative who graduated from Kemptville College. Applications are due Jan. 31. Visit www.kcalumni.ca.
MARCH
4-H Canada: The national organization has six scholarships ranging anywhere from $500 to $20,000. The application period is from March to the end of May. Visit https://4-h-canada.ca/GrantsScholarshipsandAwards
APRIL
Nuffield Canada: $15,000 for each of several Ontario farmers to travel the world to study agriculture. The travel is for a minimum of 10 weeks, six of which has to be consecutive. They’re looking for applicants between ages 25 and 45, with at least five years experience in ag business or farming. Current-full time students do not qualify. Applications are due by April 30. Visit http://nuffield.ca/wp/become-a-scholar/how-do-you-apply/
Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation: One $2,500 scholarship for a Grade 12 student entering an agricultural university or college. Deadline is April 30. Visit http://cabef.org/
MAY
Farm Management Canada and the Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs: One $1,500 award for agricultural students enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution. Applicants have to do either a multimedia presentation, Twitter chat or a blog post answering the question: “How can agriculture bridge the increasing rural and urban divide?” Deadline is May 3. Visit https://fmc-gac.com/programs-services/national-awards-scholarships/
Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund: Two scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded to students enrolled at a college or university, in a diploma or degree program. Applicants are judged based on 4-H involvement, junior farmer involvement, community activities and future goals. Youth from all six dairy breeds are eligible. Students must have completed their first year at either a university or college and be enrolled for next year. Deadline is May 11. Visit https://ontario.holstein.ca/dairy-youth-trust-fund/ontario-joint-dairy-breeds-scholarship/
JUNE
Keith Gilmore Foundation: Two $10,000 scholarships for applicants in advanced studies leading to a career in the beef industry. Areas of study are broadly defined but include areas such as animal science, range management, forage and feeding, genetics, communications and business. Deadline is June 1. Visit http://keithgilmorefoundation.com/beefcattleinnovation
Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association: Up to three $2,500 scholarships to recognize interest, knowledge and achievement in the Eastern Ontario agricultural community for youth of Eastern Ontario enrolled in at least the second year of studies at any post-secondary college or university, and planning to pursue a career in agriculture. Deadline is June 30. Visit http://
ottawafarmshow.com/youth-scholarship/
Ontario Federation of Agriculture: Three bursaries available, one each for a student from one of three regions (north, east and west). The money is raised through a silent auction at the OFA’s previous annual general meeting, so the amount available changes each year. The bursaries are available for students of OFA families who are entering or currently pursuing a post-secondary education in an agriculture-related program. Deadline is usually at the end of June. Visit https://ofa.on.ca/bursary
AUGUST
Canadian Dairy Commission: Two awards of $20,000 payable to University of Guelph students over three semesters to encourage and support dairy related graduate studies. Selection will be based on academic excellence and strong research potential. Deadline is Aug. 15. Visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/apps/grawards?id=I5314
Ontario Sheep Farmers: A $500 undergraduate scholarship for those enrolled in a first or second-year post-secondary program. Applicants must be 21 years old or younger and be a registered sheep producer or have a parent/guardian registered with OSMA, or be a member of a 4-H Ontario sheep club. Deadline is Aug. 31. Visit http://www.ontariosheep.org/awards-scholarships
SEPTEMBER
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association: A $10,000 Soil Health Graduate Scholarship in conjunction with the University of Guelph for graduate student research centering around soil management issues. Applicants must submit a two-page letter stating why his/her proposed research will advance soil health/management research for Ontario’s field crop agricultural sector. Deadline is Sept. 1. Visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/apps/grawards?id=I5955
Jersey Canada: Two scholarships of $750 each to recognize outstanding interest, knowledge and achievement in the Jersey breed, as well as agriculture in general. The scholarships are available to those enrolled in at least the second year of study at any post-secondary college or university. Deadline is usually the middle of September. Visit https://jerseycanada.com/awards/
OCTOBER
Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers: For full-time students entering the second to fourth year or post graduate, college or university, and studies demonstrate connection to the vegetable industry. The money comes from a 50/50 draw held at the previous year’s conference. Application deadline is Oct. 15. Visit www.opvg.org/opvg-bursary.
NOVEMBER
Holstein Canada: Two $1,000 scholarships for students who have completed their first year of university/college. The student must be a regular or junior member of Holstein Canada, or be the son/daughter of a member; or a member-farm employee that is supported by his/her employer. Deadline is November. Visit https://www.holstein.ca/Public/en/Membership-Programs/Young_Leaders_Program/Awards__and__Recog
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