Processing Growers touts bursary program

by SUSAN MANN

The organization representing processing vegetable farmers is helping to grow interest in the industry by sponsoring bursaries for post-secondary students studying agricultural programs in Ontario.

The Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers hands out three to eight annual bursaries of $2,000 each depending on the number of qualified applicants, says Jim Poel, Vegetable Growers board chair. Since 2001, the selection committee has awarded 68 bursaries to students “enrolled in post secondary studies that could potentially lead to a career in our industry,” he says.

The organization is currently looking for applicants for 2016.

As part of the application process, applicants should have recent work experience either through a summer or full-time position in some area of the Ontario processing vegetable industry.

In addition to completing an application form, applicants must provide proof of attendance at a post secondary institution, supply a transcript of their marks, complete an essay and possibly participate in an interview with the selection committee.

Poel says the organization hands out the bursaries because “we like to support students who are studying agriculture and have an interest in the processing vegetable industry.”

Evan VanMoerkerke, 22, was one of the bursary winners last year. The University of Guelph fourth year crop sciences student says the award helped pay his tuition and rent in Guelph.

VanMoerkerke’s family owns a 2,500-acre cash crop operation near Tillsonburg. They also grow sweet corn, lima and green beans and processing peas.

VanMoerkerke says he wants to farm when he’s done school. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to farm.” He’d also like to keep his family’s farm in the family. He is the third generation on the operation.

When he’s not working on his family’s farm or studying and attending classes, VanMoerkerke swims competitively and is on the university’s swim team.

In April, he qualified to be on Canada’s senior national swim team and was on the free-style relay team that won a silver medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto in July. He also qualified to be on the Canadian swim team that went to the world championships in Russia in the summer where the team finished eighth.

In April 2016, VanMoerkerke plans to try out for the Canadian Olympic swim team.

VanMoerkerke says the bursary was a big help. “With everything that’s going on and if the one less thing you have to worry about is money, it’s a lot easier.”

The money to fund the bursaries comes from surplus funds generated through the registration fees for the industry’s annual conference attended by growers, processors and suppliers. “The excess from the conference registration fees goes for bursaries,” Poel says.

More information about the bursaries and how to apply is available on the processing vegetable board’s website. Applications are due Oct. 15. BF