Funding the future of agriculture

The world of work is changing; automation and artificial intelligence, the gig economy, and a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion are just a few of the factors that will influence job seekers in the future.

The agriculture sector is no different: while the demand for trained agronomists, scientists, and skilled farm workers will continue to be in high demand—the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council estimates that there will be 100,000 vacant agriculture-related jobs by 2030—the demand for workers who can meet the needs of the sector in new and innovative ways continue to grow.

To help address this skills gap, Grain Farmers of Ontario launched the Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship in 2022. The scholarship encourages the pursuit of higher education in any area of study that will benefit the Ontario grain sector or agri-food industry and supports the development of future leaders in these areas. Recognizing that a career in agriculture can be a career in science, technology, finance, communication, law, or public policy, the scholarship supports students whose future goals can help Grain Farmers of Ontario achieve its mission to build, defend, and promote an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable business environment that enables grain farmer- members the opportunity to prosper.

Since 2022, Grain Farmers of Ontario has awarded 29 scholarships to deserving Ontario students. And the investment is paying off; here’s an update on a few of the students as they embark on their careers after graduation.

THE AGGIES

Lorraine Vandermyden received a Legacy Scholarship in 2023 while pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science at the University of Guelph. Vandermyden graduated in 2024 and is now working for the Ontario Soil Network (OSN) as the association’s research and demonstration coordinator.

“At the OSN, we strive to strengthen Ontario’s agricultural communities by advancing the science of soil health, fostering peer-to-peer education, and advocating for sustainable farming practices,” says Vandermyden.

“In my position at the OSN I have had the opportunity to work with grain farmers to foster innovation and implement best management practices across the province. It has been a great experience to see a lot of the practices and ideas that I learned about in school at work in the field.”

Jill Ohm was part of the inaugural cohort of recipients of the Legacy Scholarship in 2022. She completed her B.Sc. (Agr.), majoring in crop science, in April, 2025. She is now working at Central Ontario FS in agronomy admin and sales support, and will be working towards achieving a Certified Crop Advisor designation.

The Legacy Scholarship helped reduce the financial pressures of paying for school and allowed her to focus on leadership and extracurricular activities, says Ohm. “I was able to take on leadership roles in Ontario

Agricultural College (OAC) Soil & Crop Club, College Royal, OAC Tractor Tug for Tots, and OAC 2025 Class Executive,” she says. She also participated in the ‘Weeds Team’, competing in the Northeastern and National Weed Science Contests; this summer, she will travel to New Jersey for the Northeastern Weed Science Contest.

THE SCIENTISTS

Anibal Castillo, a 2024 scholarship recipient, is now in his fourth year pursuing a PhD. He is studying terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity across ecological gradients.

“I have completed the first project, which I am currently in the process of publishing, where I designed a method for assessing insect biodiversity from plant material,” says Castillo. Other projects, at various stages of completion, involve studying invertebrate biodiversity across different ecological gradients (elevation, salinity, land degradation), and all the chapters, in their geographical span, constitute a latitudinal axis, which has never been done before.

“Once I complete my PhD, I plan to continue conducting research on the intersection of biodiversity and Integrated Pest Management,” he continues.

And, leading weed research at the University of Guelph is Dr. Isabelle Aicklen, a 2023 recipient of the Legacy Scholarship. Aicklen recently took on the role of the Ontario Bean Growers Professorship in Weed Management at the University of Guelph. Read more about Aicklen and her research.

OUTSIDE-THE-BOX AGRICULTURE CAREERS

The Legacy Scholarship supports students in careers outside of the scope of traditional agriculture studies; among them is Lauren Court, who recently graduated with a civil engineering degree from Western. Court says she first got interested in engineering as a career when her dad was building new bins on their farm in Courtland, Ontario. A local civil engineering firm designed the bins. Summer jobs in the engineering industry solidified her decision to pursue it as a career—since graduating, she’s started working full- time with DesignLogix Engineering (DLX), where she’s taking an active role in the structural design process, particularly for agricultural infrastructure.

“In addition to my engineering work, I’ve continued to stay involved on my family’s farm,” she says. “Recently, with planting in full swing, we’ve begun our first season with the new fertilizer operation — a structure that was actually designed by DLX last year. It’s been exciting to see that project come full circle and to apply both my academic background and practical experience in real time.”

Ryan Miller, a 2024 scholarship recipient, is pursuing a law degree at the University of Ottawa, where he’s focusing on the niche opportunities in agricultural law.

“I have delved into the study of agriculture trade, particularly engaging with what is occurring with Canada’s major trading partners and the importance of sustaining Canada’s agriculture sector,” says Miller. “Part of this work involves bolstering the industry and those who contribute to it. In this instance, I worked on a paper discussing the importance of intergenerational transfers and the limits and barriers faced by farmers in succession planning.”

APPLY NOW!

Applications are now open for the 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship. Visit www.gfo.ca/legacyscholarship for more information – apply by July 20, 2025. •