Four students to receive scholarships and optional work terms on progressive farm
May 30, 2023 – Moosomin, SK – Hebert Grain Ventures is excited to announce a new recurring scholarship program for agriculture students attending Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. In addition to the $1,000 entrance scholarships awarded this fall, two of the four students will be selected for a paid summer 2024 internship at HGV’s grain and oilseed farm near Moosomin, Saskatchewan. Upon completing their internships, both students will have their tuition fees reimbursed up to a maximum of $10,000.
The scholarship is open to full-time students enrolled in Precision Agriculture-Techgronomy diploma, Bachelor of Applied Science -Agribusiness degree or Bachelor of Digital Agriculture degree at Olds College. They must also be willing to relocate to Saskatchewan for the summer work term.
Hebert Group president Kristjan Hebert says he has hired Olds College students in the past and is always impressed with their level of knowledge, work ethic and appetite for learning.
Statistics from RBC’s Farmers Wanted report examining farm labour suggest 40% of Canadian farmer operators will retire by 2033 placing the agriculture industry in a precarious state if younger talent isn’t ready to step in and fill the void.
“It’s one of the most exciting times to work in agriculture and we want to give that opportunity to students who may not have grown up on a farm,” says Kristjan Hebert, President of the Hebert Group. “The financial award will help them pay for their education and the work term will give them the practical experience they need to complete their degree and get hired. We believe they will be exposed to many exciting learning opportunities at our farm, including digital and precision agriculture and the business side of the operation.”
Established in 1913, Olds College is one of Canada’s top 10 research colleges. Through its applied research and integrated learning, it is Canada’s Smart Agriculture College, specializing in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental stewardship. It works closely with industry to advance and adapt programming to ensure its graduates have the skills to succeed.
“As the agriculture industry continues to evolve, technological advancements have made data-driven decision-making increasingly crucial. Today’s students require advanced critical thinking and data literacy skills to succeed upon entering the workforce. Olds College is grateful to HGV for recognizing the importance of educating the next generation of agriculture professionals,” comments Todd Ormann, Vice President, Development, Olds College.
Recipients will be chosen from an application process that includes most recent transcripts and a written essay.
The four or eight-month paid internships with Hebert Grain Ventures will satisfy the Integrated Learning requirement of the students’ chosen programs.
The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 31, 2023. You can read more about it here.