Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
October 2, 2018

The future of agriculture is bright if the quality, dedication and enthusiasm of this year’s Opportunity Scholarship winners is any indication. This group of students is starting their first year of post-secondary education and all look forward to having an impact on Canadian agriculture and food in the future.

Whether it’s pursuing a career as a farmer, agronomist, plant breeder, animal nutritionist, registered dietician or culinary professional, each of the 67 scholarship winners expressed a passion for the family farm and had a clear personal vision for how they would contribute to growing the future of Canadian agriculture.

As in previous years, each student is enrolled in a Canadian university or college this fall and will receive a $1,500 scholarship to help cover the costs associated with their education.

“As a company focused on advancing health and nutrition and working to shape agriculture through innovation, we are thrilled to see this impressive group of young people committed to education in agricultural and food sciences,” said Trish Jordan, public & industry affairs director with Bayer’s Crop Science Division in Canada. “I have no doubt these young people will continue to be successful and make meaningful contributions to our sector in the future for the benefit of farmers, consumers and our planet.”

Thousands of deserving students have received almost $2 million since the Canadian scholarship program was launched using corporate funds in 1991. Transition to the Monsanto Fund in 2012 has enabled more students to win scholarships due to consistent funding for the Opportunity Scholarship Program.

All applications were reviewed by an independent judging panel that included: Robert Adamson, consultant and program director with Pembina Trails School Division; Danielle Maynard, strategic account manager, Bayer Canada – Crop Science Division; John Morriss, production editor for Country Guide West; Ellen Pruden, education and promotion manager for the Manitoba Canola Growers Association; Johanne Ross, executive director of Agriculture in the Classroom-Canada; and Kalynn Spain, recruitment, job placement and cooperative education coordinator with the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

Administered by Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba Inc. (AITC-M) for the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, the scholarship program received 140 applications from across Canada this year.

“It has been a tremendous experience for us to be involved with the Opportunity Scholarship Program,” said Sue Clayton, executive director of AITC-M. “When you read an awesome essay or a glowing reference letter it reminds you what incredible young people there are coming into our industry. The future certainly looks bright for these students and Canadian agriculture.”

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.ca.

NOTE: The complete list of 2018 Opportunity Scholarship winners, by province, is included below.

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2018 Opportunity Scholarship Winners

ALBERTA		SASKATCHEWAN
Cassandra Berreth-Picton	Granum, AB	Laura Carruthers	Frenchman Butte, SK
Keyonna Derr	Stettler, AB	Rachel Christensen	Wynyard, SK
Jonathan Ericson	Lacombe, AB	Blake Christmann	Central Butte, SK
Boyd Gerow	Fort Saskatchewan, AB	Daphnée Ferland	Maryfield, SK
Alyanna Gotardo	Leduc, AB	Emma Hinz	Humboldt, SK
Paxton Homeak	Glenevis, AB	Josie Huber	Wilkie, SK
Catelynn Lewis	Whitecourt, AB	Anya Illingworth	North Battleford, SK
Kathleen McHugh	High River, AB	Landon Jarman	Climax, SK
Maxwell Moffat	Rivercourse, AB	Meagan Kielo	Delisle, SK
Brody Nestorvich	Red Deer County, AB	Kendyl Mandziak	Kelliner, SK
Sarah Tkach	Veteran, AB	Tanesha Novak	Kuroki, SK
Kevin Witdouck	Iron Springs, AB	Rachel Sutherland	Borden, SK
		Kennedy Ward	Mortlach, SK
		Sarah Wassill	Arborfield, SK
		Emily Zaleschuk	Alvena, SK

MANITOBA		BRITISH COLUMBIA
Victoria Adriaansen	Wellwood, MB	Wyatt Armes	Williams Lake, BC
Cali Bauereiss	Dropmore, MB	Sarah Kedves	Victoria, BC
Corinne Bernard	Haywood, MB	Joanna Penner	Vanderhoof, BC
Caitlyn Carkener	Brandon, MB	Bonny Yu	Surrey, BC
Matthew Fossay	Woodlands, MB
Courtney Funk	Mitchell, MB
Kara Glor	Lorette, MB
Theresa Guimond	Woodmore, MB
Hayley Jenkins	Thompson, MB
Curtis Johnston	Teulon, MB
John Kirkup	Melita, MB
Kate Loeppky	Niverville, MB
Russell Pauls	La Riviere, MB
Leah Richard	Virden, MB
Kiera Wortley	Winnipeg, MB

ONTARIO		MARITIMES
Cindy Ammerlaan	Kenilworth, ON	Adrian Bent	Lawrencetown, NS
Gavin Brady	Campbellcroft, ON	William Cooper	Great Village, NS
Jordan Burns	Arthur, ON	Luke Fisher	Brookfield, NS
Jeremy Chevalley	Moose Creek, ON	Bevin MacLellan	Kensington, PE
Sarah Dean	Arnprior, ON	Katie McAffee	Lower Knoxford, NB
Alexandra Dockx	Clear Creek, ON
Kyle Farquharson	Mount Brydges, ON
Brooklyn Hughes	Stayner, ON
Zoë Mason	Brampton, ON
Michaela Ottens	Walkerton, ON
Emma Reijmers	Dalkeith, ON
Jordan Robinson	Osgoode, ON
Sadie Scott	Lucknow, ON
DeeAndra Skinner	Centralia, ON
Grace Squire	Stayner, ON
Matthew Vanek	Dresden, ON