Manitoba student named a Future Influencer in ag

Nov 30, 2017

Ayre recognized at GrowCanada Conference in Calgary

Staff Reporter

Farms.com

Minto’s Jake Ayre is one of two students to win the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) Future Influencer competition, announced yesterday.

Ayre, 21, is enrolled in the agribusiness program at the University of Manitoba. His farming roots are planted in England, where the family farm and his grandparents are still located. His family has been devoted to agriculture over several generations and Ayre looks forward to continuing the legacy, according to yesterday’s CSTA release.

Earlier this year, Ayre graduated with a diploma in agriculture as valedictorian and decided to continue his education by pursuing a degree at university. He has previously worked with the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers. His interests lie in the crop and seed industry as well as ag policy.

The other competition winner named is Lauren Benoit. She was raised on a grain farm in Kirkton, ON and has a passion for ag. Last year, Benoit completed a bachelor of science in agriculture at the University of Guelph and is now working on a masters in weed science, according to the release.

“CSTA is incredibly pleased to offer this opportunity to young people, they are the future of agriculture and their perspective is essential in guiding the direction of the industry,” Dave Carey, CSTA’s executive director, said in the release.

“We offer our sincere congratulations to Jake and Lauren on this excellent achievement and we look forward to hearing their thoughtful insights at the 2017 GrowCanada Conference.”

The CSTA competition involved a written essay and any student across Canada in grades 11 and 12, or in an agricultural post-secondary institution is eligible for submission.

The program is in its eighth year and provides the opportunity for young ag enthusiasts to attend the GrowCanada conference and present their outlook on agriculture.

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