Ridgetown graduates 74 aggies this year
Farmers Forum staff
RIDGETOWN — The Class of 2025 from the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus, in Southwestern Ontario, included 74 newly minted holders of the school’s associate diploma in agriculture, the largest single discipline on the campus. That’s down from a graduating class of 91 aggies in 2024 and 112 in 2023.
The recipient of this year’s Governor General’s bronze medal — awarded annually to the graduate with the highest cumulative average in any associate diploma program — was horticulture graduate Caroline Szukalo Benitez with an average of 95.6 %.
All told, the campus graduated 177 students this year, including diplomas in environmental management (12), equine care and management (14), horticulture (20) and veterinary technology (37).
Lillian Moro, graduate of the agricultural program, delivered remarks and congratulations on behalf of her fellow aggies.
“Ridgetown is the kind of place that fosters growth,” Moro said, “not just in our academic knowledge, but who we are as people. You truly get out of this campus what you put in.
“Because we’re small and rural, we have to create our own fun, our own community, and our own experience. I threw myself into it serving as a peer helper, a student ambassador and student council president — and walking away with not just a diploma, but confidence, leadership skills and a deep sense of belonging.”
MEET FOUR OF THIS YEAR’S GRADS
Allison Maher
Allison Maher, 21, New Lowell, Associate diploma in agriculture
Background: Family draft-horse farm, raise foals, grow hay and raise a few beef. “We have a six-horse hitch of Belgian draft horses that we show all over North America.”
Achievements: Graduated with distinction, but she counts showing cattle at Spring Expo as her biggest achievement. “Although I’ve shown horses all my life, cattle were completely new to me, so I showed beef and dairy, and I won my dairy heat, which was insane.”
College highlight: Spring Expo (“Everybody loved it. We got the town involved and it was really cool.”) and the OAC games. “Ridgetown put together a hockey team, and we travelled down to Guelph. It was a super tight game back and forth, and Ridgetown ended up winning.”
On the academic side, in a marketing class she and other students set up an app called Bull Finder.
Future plans: Guelph University this fall in Bachelor of Commerce in Food and Agriculture Business program. She wants to go into agricultural sales and marketing. “I always tell people I would rather sell to a farmer than somebody from the city that I can’t relate to. I love promoting products. I’ve started with my mom’s golden retriever business. I run her Instagram page, her Facebook. It’s been super cool watching how I can make a little video and see the outreach.”
Luke Rodger
Luke Rodger, 20, North Gower, Associate diploma in agriculture
Background: “I started working on a dairy farm when I was 13. I’ve worked for Siegrist Harvesting for the last six years, and I’ve always been super interested in farming.”
Achievements: “I was really happy to get the sprayer products course, and a lot of the hands-on courses.”
College highlight: Aggie pub, line dancing, the OAC winter games.
Future: Custom farming or land clearing
Summer plans: ”To continue working for Siegrist Harvesting. We’re chopping haylage right now, and I’m driving the truck.”
Aaron Henhoeffer
Aaron Henhoeffer, 19, Ayr, Associate diploma in agriculture
Background: Family dairy farm milk about 60 Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle. “I work alongside my dad every day. We have a parlour with a free-stall and pack barn facility. I’ve done 4-H my whole life, and I enjoy showing cattle.”
Achievements: Graduated with distinction.
College highlight: “Definitely Spring Expo and the Ontario Agricultural College games at Guelph. I would say the charity game, too, because I played on Ridgetown hockey team.”
Future plans: “Work alongside my dad everyday, and slowly take over the dairy farm and build that up and possibly expand the dairy farm.”
Summer plans: “Working full-time at home and doing 4-H.”
Samantha Watson
Samantha Watson, 20, Ayr, Associate diploma in agriculture
Background: Worked on her grandfather’s cash crop farm since age 10 or 12. Worked on a local dairy farm for four years and did her high school co-op placement at a local FS Partners location.
Achievements: Graduated with distinction. Showed cattle for the first time at Spring Expo.
College highlight: “We toured a bunch of different farms in Wisconsin and Indiana. So that was fun and a good chance to get to know some of the people.”
Future plans: Working in animal health, genetics or breeding.”
Summer plans: Helping out at home and at boyfriend’s dairy farm.
