Canada
November 28, 2018

The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) is pleased to announce that Brendan McDougall, a first-year master’s student in Food and Agriculture Resource Economics at the University of Guelph and David Westerveld, a fourth-year student in the B.Sc. Agriculture program at the University of Guelph, are this year’s CSTA Future Influencer competition winners. GrowCanada, held in Ottawa, Ontario from November 27 to 29 this year, will offer Brendan and David the opportunity to provide their perspective on agriculture to some of our industry’s most influential leaders.
 
Now in the ninth year of this program, CSTA has received the highest number of applications yet. It was also the most diverse pool of applicants, with students applying from Prince Edward Island all the way to Alberta, but only two winners are selected for this one of a kind opportunity.
 
Brendan McDougall has an agricultural background. He has been involved with his uncle’s dairy farm from a young age, which has given him a keen understanding of production agriculture and an appreciation of the work that goes into making food. His work experience is diverse, working in grain merchandising, agronomy and ag lending. Brendan has always been involved in his community through 4-H, his local fair board as well as extracurricular activities at the University of Guelph. Brendan is pursuing a master’s degree with the hopes of being able to make complex economic issues and new technologies more relatable and easier for producers to implement on the farm level.
 
David Westerveld plans on continuing his education through a M.Sc. in Weed Science at the University of Guelph. While not growing up on a farm, he found an interest in agriculture at an early age through a part-time job on a local dairy farm. During his summers, David has thoroughly enjoyed working for Sylvite Agri-Service, BASF and Maizex and believes this workplace experience has enriched his education. He is keen to learn and has a passion for research, agronomy and field crop production and looks forward to working in Canadian agriculture.
 
“The GrowCanada conference introduces young people to the possibilities of a career in agriculture. CSTA is proud to provide the Future Influencer program to students across the country,” said Dave Carey, Executive Director.  “Inspiring youth to become involved in agriculture and fostering their passion for this industry will ensure a bright future for agriculture in Canada. On behalf of CSTA and our members, I offer our heartiest congratulations to these exceptional students!”

Website: http://cdnseed.org

Published: November 28, 2018