How bursaries and scholarships support the growth of tomorrow’s farmers and food producers.
Agriculture is arguably among the most important industries we have. Not only is it one of the biggest sectors of the Ontario and Canadian economies, but it’s also fundamental to our very existence.
After all, everyone has to eat—and in Ontario, we’re luckier than most in the wide range of food and farm commodities we can produce right here at home (that’s more than 200, by the way!).
As well, our home-grown production goes beyond food to include feed, fuel, fibre, flowers, and much more.
At the same time, we know that the average age of farmers is increasing—the last national Census of Agriculture pegged it at 56—and not only is the number of farmers declining, but the sector also struggles to fill all its available jobs.
The job shortage in agriculture is expected to reach 123,000 by 2030 as the sector both continues to grow and older workers retire, whether from the farm or other positions in the industry.
The opportunities in agriculture are diverse, fascinating, and fulfilling, from traditional on-farm careers working with livestock or growing crops to industry positions in research, equipment maintenance, quality control, food safety, construction, transportation, processing, product development, marketing, sales, and more.
Emerging fields are also increasingly important on the modern farm, like robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, to name just a few.
That’s why it’s so important to encourage young people to consider careers in the agriculture sector and why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) sponsors a bursary program (www.ofa.on.ca/community/bursary-program) every year to support individuals who wish to work in this industry.
My wife and I are dairy farmers close to Seaforth, near Lake Huron, and two of our kids are currently in post-secondary education, so I know firsthand how important it is for students to be able to access support wherever they can.
The OFA’s province-wide bursary program offers six bursaries of $2,000 each. Applicants are judged based on demonstrated leadership skills, involvement in the community, and accomplishments in both school and the agriculture industry.
Three awards are available to undergraduate students: one is available to someone in an apprenticeship program, one is open to individuals completing a postgraduate or leadership development program, and our newest bursary, which is being awarded this year for the first time, is for someone enrolled in a veterinary program.
Canada is facing a tremendous shortage of veterinarians in both mixed and small and large animal practices, and while we appreciate the steps our provincial government has taken over the last several years to expand and support veterinary education, we believe it’s important for us as farmers to do our part as well. That’s why the OFA has expanded our bursary program with an additional award specific to veterinary education.
Many of the OFA’s county and regional federations also offer substantial scholarships and bursaries that can contribute to the costs of things like tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
A wide range of provincial and national businesses, organizations, and industry stakeholders, as well as agricultural and commodity groups, also offer funding opportunities. The deadlines vary, but there is a detailed list on the OFA website (www.ofa.on.ca/resources/agricultural-scholarships) that students can check out for more information.
Whether students are returning to school in the fall, starting post-secondary education for the first time, or contemplating returning to the classroom for a continuing education opportunity, these scholarships and bursaries can offer some much-needed financial support.
Our sector needs young people to pursue fulfilling careers in agriculture, no matter what direction they take, and we’re proud to invest in the future of our industry by supporting the next generation.