Churchbridge, SK (Sept 24, 2021) –Emily Robb from Brandon, MB and Carleigh MacLeod from Kinkora PEI have been selected as the Outstanding Young Farmers Memorial Scholarship winners for 2021. Each winner has received a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary agricultural education.

Emily Robb will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agroecology at the University of Manitoba. Her interest for science and agriculture comes from her parents and grandparents. What began as school science fair project has developed into a life-long passion for ending food insecurity and improving environmental integrity. Through her future research, Emily wants to positively incorporate STEM into the food, water, land and air that everyone depends on.

In grade 12, Carleigh MacLeod participated in a project that started “AG in the Field”, a social media page that highlighted those working in Agriculture on the island. While attending the University of PEI for a Degree in Business Administration she is focusing on marketing communications and public relations. She hopes to use the skills learned to be the best “AGvocate” and educate the public about the great action farmers are taking to protect the environment. Slowly she will change the way people observe agriculture.

The award includes two annual scholarships – one to an individual who has completed at least one year of post-secondary study in agriculture, and the other to someone who has completed high school and is enrolling in a post-secondary education in agriculture. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to write an essay about why they are passionate about agriculture in Canada.

Full details and application forms for the OYF Memorial Scholarships are available at www.oyfcanada.com under “Scholarships”. The deadline for nominations for the 2022 scholarships is June 30, 2022.

Celebrating 41 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture, CN and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,. Media Partners are WS and Glacier FarmMedia. The program is supported nationally by BDO.

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For more information contact:

Carla Kaeding, Program Manager, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers

306.896.7833 ·kaedingc@hotmail.com  · www.oyfcanada.com