Youth Scholarships

My name is Caitlin Allen and I am 19 years old. I am currently entering the second year of studies in the Farm Management and Technology program at Macdonald College in St. Anne de Bellevue, Que. I grew up on Allensite farms where we milk 160 cows in L’Orignal Ontario. I spend a large amount of my free time participating in 4-H clubs and activities like calf, horse and square dancing clubs. With these clubs I have taken on executive roles on several occasions and helped to organize our club exhibit at competitions and fairs. I have also had the opportunity as a part of the Calf club to represent Prescott County at the 4-H Classic at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto for the past 5 years. Over the past few years, I have spent my summers working on my home farm and also doing internships on multiple neighbouring dairy farms. These experiences have taught me a lot in the agricultural field and have strengthened my passion for our amazing industry. At the moment my future after post secondary is uncertain but, I will continue to be involved with my agricultural community while I find what is best suited for me in the field of Agriculture.

Hello, my name is Clayton McWilliams; I am entering my fourth year in a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science at the University of Guelph. I grew up in Navan, Ontario, a small agricultural town just east of downtown Ottawa. I feel truly blessed to have grown up surrounded by agriculture, and have worked on my family farm where we cash crop and raise Belgian horses for as long as I can remember. My first job was milking across the road at my great-Uncle’s dairy farm when I was 12. Since then I have worked at Sunnymead Farm where I continue to learn about dairy cattle. I worked at the Dairy Research and Innovation Station for the University of Guelph and this summer I am working remotely in Navan as a Research Assistant to Dr. Trevor DeVries. I have enjoyed the 4-H experience with the Russell 4-H club which gives youth an opportunity to connect with other youth in the community and build life-long friendships. Living in an area where neighbours treat each other like family is key to building a strong agricultural community that I am proud to be a part of. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan on continuing my education at the University of Guelph. My long-term goals are to work in the dairy industry in Eastern Ontario while continuing to farm and raise Belgians. I would like to take this time to thank the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association and Farm Show for this scholarship, your generosity does not go unnoticed.

Hello, my name is Sarah Dean. I live just outside of Arnprior in West Carleton on a dairy farm where we milk 64 registered holsteins in a tie stall. I have been a part of the West Carleton Community 4-H Club since I was 9. I have taken part in several clubs; dairy club to pie club, completing 31 clubs so far. I have been fortunate to be able to compete provincially at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Go for The Gold competitions as well as showing my calf at the TD Classic. I am lucky to have been able to take advantage of all the 4-H program has to offer. Another large part of my life is sports. I have played several competitive sports throughout my highschool and university time; ringette, rugby, hockey and badminton. Currently I am playing ringette for the University of Guelph Gryphons. Growing up on a farm and developing a passion for agriculture I was certain to apply to the University of Guelph. In the fall I will be entering my third year enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program, majoring in Honours Agriculture. Once I graduate from the University of Guelph I would like to have a career in animal nutrition and at the moment am most interested in dairy nutrition. I would also like to give back to my community by participating in 4-H as a leader and by helping at our local fairs and exhibitions.

Hello, my name is Taylor Gillan and I am one of the fortunate recipients of the 2020 Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association Scholarship. I am a student going into my third year at the University of Guelph. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in the Bachelor of Commerce in Food and Agricultural Business program and I am a part of the Co-op stream. I started my first co-op placement this summer at Farm Credit Canada in the credit division as a summer student. At the University of Guelph I am the vice president of my class executive (the 2022 Longhorns) and am a member of various agriculture-based clubs on campus. I’ve grown up surrounded by agriculture, as I was raised on my family’s cash crop farm in Pakenham. I truly love the agriculture industry, and have taken part in multiple 4H clubs for several years, and last summer I worked as a crop scout. As for my future goals, I would love to pursue a career in Canadian agriculture after finishing my studies at university, and be a part of the thriving and ever changing industry. I look forward to being able to make a difference in the industry and truly help farmers and the communities they live in. It is an honour to be awarded with the 2020 OVSGA Scholarship. This award will not only be very helpful in funding my education, but is also an amazing opportunity to help support the next generation of the agriculture community.