Author: cabef

Three CABEF scholarship recipients reveal how financial support transformed their post-secondary experiences

The Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation scholarship plays a vital role in supporting the next generation of passionate agvocates dedicated to Canadian agriculture. By providing financial assistance and fostering mentorships and meaningful connections, CABEF helps students achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Here’s how the CABEF scholarship has helped support the educational journeys of three recent recipients with their eyes on the future.

From Prairie roots to soil science
Amanda Mitchell, currently a PhD student at the University of Guelph, traces her passion for agriculture back to her family’s grain farm in southwestern Saskatchewan. In seeking scholarship opportunities through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Mitchell found the CABEF scholarship – a $2,500 gift awarded to seven Canadian students pursuing a post-secondary education in agriculture or agri-business. After learning that a friend from 4-H was a previous recipient of the scholarship, she decided to apply and was granted a scholarship in 2017.

Mitchell recalls the application process as a fun exercise, but a more prominent memory was the scholarship’s significant impact. The funds allowed her discretion in choosing part-time research and work opportunities that provided invaluable industry experience. “Instead of just chasing a part-time job that would pay the best, I was able to choose my opportunities and really use the scholarship to support and leverage my career moving forward,” she says.

The financial support also proved particularly valuable during personal challenges, Mitchell recalls, including the passing of her mother, aunt and grandfather. “Scholarships have been so amazing, because I had financial support to pay my bills while I spent time supporting my family,” she recalls. “Scholarships are given out to support a person’s education, but they also support the person through life events too – they make a big difference.”

After completing her undergraduate studies, Mitchell was invited to join the CABEF board of directors, judging scholarship applications and networking with other industry leaders. “Being a part of the board allowed me to meet some fantastic people, and I was so grateful for that,” she says of the mentoring opportunities that came along with being a part of the board. “The CABEF board is primarily volunteers who have full-time careers and put so much work into this foundation. It was so interesting to see how things work behind the scenes.”

Chasing veterinary dreams
Emily Bieman’s life has been naturally linked to agriculture since childhood, growing up on a beef feedlot and cow-calf operation. Her early involvement in feeding animals and showing livestock through 4-H sparked a clear ambition: to become a large animal veterinarian serving rural farming communities. Now, as a student at the University of Guelph pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in animal biology, Bieman credits the CABEF scholarship with supporting a well-rounded university experience.

“I learned about the scholarship through magazine and farm papers, reading about who had won in previous years, and had a lot of industry people encouraging me to apply,” she says.

Hands-on experience is an important part of learning for many students, especially in such a practical field of study. With a desire to practice large animal veterinary medicine, Bieman says the CABEF scholarship allowed her the flexibility to actively participate in several clubs and extracurricular opportunities to expand her breadth of knowledge, including the College Royal Society, the OAC Sheep and Goat Club and the Poultry Club.

“The scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my education and extracurriculars, with a little bit less worry about the cost of tuition and the expenses that come with pursuing a post-secondary education,” she says, noting the added benefits of building a network and community of like-minded people.

Bieman also hopes to bring her practical experience and scientific knowledge home to her family farm near Belgrave, Ont., to continue farming in addition to practicing veterinary medicine.

Building a career from cattle to communications
Julie Sharp’s agricultural journey began on her family’s purebred Black Angus cattle farm in Lacombe, Alta. Her early involvement in 4-H and various associations naturally led her to pursue agriculture academically. A recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan where she majored in animal science and minored in agribusiness, Sharp began university online during the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought about several challenges. She acknowledges the meaningful impact of the CABEF scholarship, which she received during her second year of studies, after hearing about the scholarship through fellow students and ag media.

“It’s a very substantial scholarship and it had a significant influence on my finances as a university student,” she recalls.

With some financial pressure alleviated, Sharp learned to balance academics with independent living, and pursued a diverse range of work experience to give her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the industry.

“I had a different summer job each year, including weed inspection at Lacombe Country River Weed Inspection, office administration at a local trucking company and crop research with Syngenta,” Sharp says, noting how the varying roles contributed to new connections both within and outside of the agriculture industry, introducing her to people from across Canada and around the world.

Sharp also completed internships at the Canadian Cattle Association and Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, which paved the way to career opportunities in her field. After graduating and completing an internship at the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef in 2024, she was hired full-time as the group’s Member and Communications Coordinator.

“I haven’t had to apply for a job after university – I already had one lined up because of my network and my experiences,” she shares, pointing to the power of connections in the agricultural industry.

Nurturing ag excellence
Mitchell, Sharp and Bieman are just three of the many past recipients of the CABEF scholarship since its inception in 2014, with many more to come. Through financial support, mentorship opportunities and industry connections, CABEF continues to foster agricultural excellence, contributing to a vibrant future for Canadian agriculture.

Learn more about CABEF and the different ways to support the future of Canadian agriculture.

A look at the impact of the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation.

For more than a decade, the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation (CABEF) has been nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders through scholarship programs and a large network of industry support. What began as a simple question – “Why aren’t we offering scholarships in Canada?” – has blossomed into a thriving charitable foundation with a significant impact on agricultural education across the country.

Since beginning its fundraising efforts in 2011, CABEF has raised a total of $638,468 to support agricultural education in Canada. The organization has granted 70 scholarships to deserving students across Canada, in an effort to tackle a pressing issue facing the agri-food industry – the labour shortage.

With the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council forecasting the domestic labour gap within the sector to reach 101,100 by 2030, CABEF’s mission to fund the next generation of the ag industry is more important than ever. Here’s a glimpse of CABEF’s impact to date, and a preview of what’s to come from the foundation.

The early years
Inspired by scholarship programs offered by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in the United States, Larry Hertz, then-publisher of The Western Producer, approached Mary Thornley, executive director of the Canadian Agri-Food Marketers Alliance, with a bold idea.

“Larry came to me with the idea of providing scholarships to Canadian students who were pursuing an agricultural education,” Thornley recalls of the initial conversations between herself and Hertz, Rod Delahey and Justin Funk in 2009.

What followed was a three-year journey to establish CABEF as a registered charity. The first board meeting was held in May 2010, and after navigating the complex regulatory requirements, CABEF finally obtained charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency on March 20, 2013 – a day Thornley says will “be forever ingrained on my mind.”

CABEF awarded its first six scholarships in 2014, marking the beginning of its mission to support agricultural education across Canada. Today, the foundation awards seven scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, annually to full-time students enrolled in agricultural programs at Canadian universities, colleges, and trade institutions.

An inclusive approach to agricultural education, recognizing that not all agricultural career paths follow traditional learning routes, positions CABEF as a unique funder amongst the landscape of agricultural scholarships.

“CABEF is not just focused on core agriculture, but ag and agri-food,” comments Amanda Woodrow, account director with AdFarm, who served on the CABEF board from 2016 to 2022. “We’ve broadened the definition to reflect the reality of what agriculture and agri-food means in our country.”

“We have expanded to include apprenticeships and trades as well,” Thornley notes. “Not everybody goes the university or college route, so I’m really pleased with how CABEF acknowledges that everybody should have the opportunity to receive some financial support to continue their education, whatever that path looks like.”

In 2018, CABEF took an innovative step by inviting a previous scholarship recipient to join its Board of Directors – a practice that continues today.

“This gave us direct insight into what works best for students,” explains Thornley, sharing how the approach reflects the organization’s commitment to staying relevant and responsive to student needs, while providing valuable professional development opportunities for scholarship recipients. “It’s also a great opportunity for students to be more connected to key players in the industry and experience being on a board of directors. It looks great on their resume.”

“Past recipients have attended events like the Best of CAMA gala to share what the scholarship has meant to them, and it’s so impactful to hear the stories of these impressive young people,” adds Becky Parker, industry relations manager at Farm Credit Canada and chairperson of CABEF.

Fundraising success and long-term support
CABEF’s ability to award scholarships relies on the generous support of the agricultural industry. The foundation operates with minimal overhead costs and is driven by a 100-per-cent volunteer board of directors, ensuring that donations directly benefit students. By supporting CABEF financially, contributors are investing in the future of Canada’s agricultural industry.

The foundation’s primary fundraising events occur at CAMA’s national events, particularly the Best of CAMA awards gala. Popular initiatives include the Wall of Wine and Distillers Dozen, where donors contribute $100 for a chance to win premium beverages, and a live auction featuring packages donated by media partners. The 2024 fundraising event was particularly successful, raising an impressive $62,200 – the highest amount in the foundation’s history.

In 2024, the foundation launched the Champions of CABEF campaign, a large-scale fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $250,000 and establishing an endowment fund that would provide a sustainable source of scholarship funding for years to come.

“We know agriculture is going to go on forever and we know we’re always going to need good people. The Champions of CABEF is a great way for the industry to support our initiative of providing these scholarships for many years to come,” Parker says.

“This is a critical time in our organization’s history, and we need the agri-food industry’s support to make our vision a reality,” Thornley adds. “We’d like to expand the number of scholarships offered and potentially offer to post-graduate students as well.”

A call to action
There are numerous ways to support the future of Canadian agriculture. Industry professionals can help spread the word about scholarships to eligible students, support the Champions of CABEF initiative, purchase Wall of Wine or Distillers Dozen tickets, or even join the board.

“We’re always looking for new board members,” Thornley notes. “Succession of our board members is important, as is expanding the reach and the connections of board members within the industry.”

As CABEF continues to grow and evolve, its commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders remains steadfast. Through scholarships, industry connections, and professional development opportunities, CABEF is helping to ensure a bright future for Canadian agriculture.

For more information about CABEF or to become a Champion of CABEF, contact Mary Thornley at [email protected].

Unlock $2,500 for your ag education from CABEF

Post-secondary education comes with a hefty price tag, but agriculture students have access to valuable funding opportunities, including one of seven scholarships from the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation (CABEF).

With a mission to encourage talented and energetic young people to enter the agri-food industry, CABEF offers scholarships that provide financial support and encouragement to the next generation of agri-food leaders. Each year, seven full-time students across Canada who are enrolling or are currently enrolled in an agricultural-related program at a Canadian university, college or apprenticeship institution, receive a $2,500 scholarship to put toward their studies. To be considered for a CABEF scholarship, students are asked to complete an application, sharing their post-secondary plans and highlighting activities that demonstrate leadership. They must also respond to an ag industry-related question developed by the CABEF board and judging panel in either a written essay or video format.

All 2025 applications must be received by April 30 at 5 p.m. ET. With this deadline quickly approaching, past and present CABEF judges and board members share their advice to help you create an award-winning submission

Before you begin
A core part of the application is the question that CABEF asks students to respond to, notes Mary Thornley, executive director of CABEF. “We pose a different question each year that’s challenging but not too hard, in order to stretch students’ minds a bit while still getting thoughtful responses.”

“We try to create a question that’s thought-provoking and relevant to the issues the agriculture and food industry is facing,” adds Becky Parker, industry relations manager at Farm Credit Canada and chairperson of CABEF. “We want to get the applicant’s insight and perspective.”

Whether you’re writing an essay or creating a video, don’t overlook the obvious: stay on track, and provide a clear answer to the question, advises Amanda Woodrow, account director with AdFarm who served on the CABEF board from 2016 to 2022.

“When I approached judging the applications, in the first look-through, I’d ask myself, ‘Did the applicant stay on task and actually answer the question and not get sidetracked?’” she says. “Sometimes, there’s lots of information they want to share, but they bunny trail and get off topic.”

The judging rubrics are an essential tool to use when crafting a comprehensive application, Parker adds. “I strongly encourage applicants to reference these criteria,” she says of both the essay/video judging rubric, and the leadership activities rubric. These documents, along with a resource outlining video requirements and tips, provide detailed scoring benchmarks to help ensure your submission scores as high as possible.

Let your words shine
If writing is your strength, you can craft your answer into an essay between 750 and 1,000 words – no more, no less. Before the judges even get a chance to review the various scholarship applications, Thornley says she does a simple check to ensure specifications are addressed. “We also do AI and plagiarism checks as well. If entries don’t meet these parameters, they don’t get passed along to judges.”

Parker says the judges look specifically for a well-organized argument with unique perspective.

“I always look for novel thoughts and curiosity around the question – perhaps they’ve done additional research or spoken to someone within the industry and incorporated different points of view,” she says.

Woodrow agrees: “I’m less looking for personal anecdotes. I like to see bigger-picture, forward-thinking answers that consider the industry as a whole, with an original, compelling and logical argument.”

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the judges emphasize the need for proper proofreading and attention to detail.

“As soon as I see typos, the application goes into a ‘maybe’ pile,” Woodrow notes. “The applicant could have the best argument, but if it’s littered with typos, I’ll set it aside and see what the other entries are like.”

A visual advantage
If you’re more of a visual communicator, a video application offers a unique opportunity to showcase your knowledge and experience. Like essay applications, the judges look to make sure all requirements are met – videos must be three- to five-minutes long, and convey a well-organized answer.

“I really enjoy viewing the video applications,” says Brad Martin, the Western Canadian Retail Sales Manager for Glacier Farm Media, who has been part of CABEF’s board and sponsorship committee for more than three years. “In the age of AI, video submissions are a great way to showcase your authenticity.”

When filming your video application, give some thought to your surroundings. There’s no need for fancy equipment, but clear audio, good lighting and a pleasant background are essential. And, like essay applications, pay close attention to the requirements detailed in the judging rubrics.

“If we ask for three examples, we want to see three examples,” Parker adds. “This shows attention to detail – a great skill to have, not only for scholarship applications, but for jobs down the road.”

Apply for the CABEF scholarship today
If you have a passion for agriculture and you’re pursuing a post-secondary education in the field, the CABEF scholarship is a great way to fund your future. Put your passion, industry knowledge and authentic personal connection to agriculture on display and show the judges why investing in your agricultural education is a smart bet for the future of Canadian agriculture. The submission deadline is April 30, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET. Good luck!