The purpose of CABEF is to advance education by providing scholarships, bursaries, and awards to students enrolled in agricultural or agri-business-related programs at a university, college or trade school in Canada by awarding seven $2,500 scholarships annually to Canadian students.  

The Canadian agriculture and food industry is an exciting and growing field. Over the last few years, the federal government has identified agri-food as one of six Economic Strategy Tables that will drive our economy over the next decade. But the sector cannot grow without more young people involved, from farm to fork. 

How can we ensure that agriculture will continue to be innovative, a key economic driver, and maintain Canada’s position as a world leader in the industry?

By supporting the next generation who will make it happen!

Board of Directors

Contact us to learn more about our Board of Directors and potential openings.

Mary Thornley Executive Director

Mary Thornley

Mary Thornley Management

  • Former Account Executive, AdFarm & Kahntact Marketing
  • Executive Director, CAMA (Canadian Agri-food Marketers Alliance)
  • Member, National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)
Becky Parker Chairperson

Becky Parker

Communications Manager, CropLife Canada

CropLife Canada represents the Canadian manufacturers, developers, and distributors of pest control and modern plant breeding products.

  • Agriculture communications professional with 10+ years experience working with companies such as AgScape, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and BC Agriculture in the Classroom.
  • Nuffield Canada Scholar (2015), studying agriculture career education
  • Member of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada’s Board Advisory Committee
  • Mentor, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Michelle Bertholet Vice-Chairperson

Michelle Bertholet

Group Publisher, Agriculture & Content Studio Director, Annex Business Media

Annex Business Media’s agricultural suite of brands produces quality content that is relevant, educational, and informative to our subscribers. We provide farmers, agronomists, contractors, applicators, and industry stakeholders with information beneficial to their operations in the face of continually evolving marketplaces.

  • Ag-Media professional for 9+ years
  • Current member of CAMA, Manitoba chapter
  • ACC graduate – Agribusiness and Business Administration
Laura Fullerton Director

Laura Fullerton

Marketing and Communications Lead, Discovery Farm, Glacier FarmMedia

Glacier FarmMedia serves Canadian farmers by providing them with the news, information, and insights they need to be successful on their farm. Through our many print publications, digital news sites, marketplaces, weather and market information, Discovery Farm, and events, we connect farmers with innovation, products, and services. 

  • Current member, CAMA Ontario Chapter
  • University of Guelph CAMA Student Chapter President, 2018/2019
  • Volunteer social media coordinator with experience working with several agriculture and community organizations
Kalysha Hanrahan Director

Kalysha Hanrahan

thinkAG Manager, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C)

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) is a Canadian charitable organization with a vision to bring agriculture to every classroom, inspiring every student. 

Food connects us ALL to agriculture. In a complex and changing world, it is more important than ever to inspire the next generation to care about the food they eat, where it comes from, and how it gets to their plates.

  • Project Manager with over 8+ years in the agriculture industry.
  • Member of Minister Bibeau’s first cohort of the Canadian Agriculture Youth Council (2020-2022)
  • Strong advocate for the importance agriculture education and resources within the province of NL.
Candace Hill Director

Candace Hill

Manager Special Projects, Farm Credit Canada

Farm Credit Canada is Canada’s leading agriculture lender providing flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and agri-food industry.

  • Marketing professional with over 20 years of experience working at Conexus Credit Union, MNP, Viterra, and Farm Credit Canada
  • Proud Agvocate who led the Agriculture More Than Ever cause (2015-2018)
  • Current member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA), Saskatchewan chapter
Craig Lester Director

Craig Lester

Owner, Rural Roots Canada

Rural Roots Canada gets to the Stem and Meat of Agriculture.

Rural Roots Canada strives to tell unique stories from the agriculture community that show the true roots of the industry. It will also show off new products and ideas from the ever evolving industry.

  • Winner of the 2021 IFAJ – Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism
  • President – Alberta Farm Writers Association / Director – Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation
  • President – Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture
  • 1st Vice Chair – Calgary Stampede Agriculture and Western Event Media Committee
  • Cattle Producer
Brad Martin Director

Brad Martin

Sales Lead, Real Agriculture 

RealAgriculture is focused on the issues that are impacting agriculture, providing insight on the latest agronomic research, farm business planning, ag politics, farm show coverage around the globe, and more, reporting on regional and national agriculture issues through our website and daily SiriusXM show.

  • Current member of Canadian Agri-food Marketers Alliance (CAMA) – Manitoba Chapter
  • ACC graduate – Business Administration
  • Dad, mentor and car enthusiast

Past Board Members