Applications open for GFO 2026 Legacy Scholarship

May 07, 2026
By Andrew Joseph
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to Ontario students across a wide range of disciplines, including agriculture and non‑agriculture fields. Image by Joe from Pixabay

Applications are now open for the 2026 Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship, an annual program designed to support students pursuing post‑secondary education that contributes to the future of the province’s grain and agri‑food industries.

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) represents 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers across the province. According to the organization, these crops cover more than six million acres, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, contribute more than $27 billion in economic output, and support over 90,000 jobs.

Now in its fifth year, the scholarship aims to encourage the development of future leaders across a broad range of disciplines. The program, according to the GFO, reflects the diversity of careers within agriculture, including science, technology, business, communications, and public policy.

The scholarship is open to students accepted into or currently enrolled in any accredited college or university program. Up to 10 awards of $5,000 each will be offered, with as many as five available to students pursuing studies not specific to agriculture.

To be eligible, applicants must be permanent Ontario residents enrolled full‑time for the Fall 2026 semester at an accredited institution. Students may apply at any point during their studies, but recipients can only receive the scholarship once. Employees of Grain Farmers of Ontario and their children are not eligible.

Applicants are required to submit a resumé, a letter of reference, and a 500‑ to 1,000‑word essay outlining their interest in their chosen field, how their career goals will benefit Ontario’s grain sector or agri‑food industry, and why Grain Farmers of Ontario should support their academic path. Proof of enrolment is also required.

Applications must be submitted by July 19, 2026. More information is available at www.gfo.ca/legacy-scholarship.

Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.