Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 8th annual Agricultural Student Award for Wellington County students to pursue post secondary studies in agriculture.

Rebecca Hannam of RR#2 Guelph and Amelia Taylor of Fergus have both received awards in the amount of $500.00.

Rebecca is currently attending the University of Guelph, working towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Agricultural Business. Her future ambitions include pursuing a career in Agricultural Education, communications or crop production. She is in her first year of studies.

Rebecca has numerous achievements. She is the current Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador, was awarded the title of 2006 Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Senior Champion, and has also received a Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship for post secondary studies.

She states" Growing up in a farming community has instilled strong work values into my everyday life. In addition to work close to home, I have filled the position of Resource Assistant at 4H Ontario during the summer of 2007 and was the Communications Assistant for the Ontario Farm Animal Council during the summer of 2008. Both of these positions allowed me to grow and develop as an employee and member of the greater agricultural community in Ontario."

Amelia is our current Wellington County Queen of the Furrow. and was a finalist for the title of 2009 Ontario Queen of the Furrow at the International Plowing match held this past September in Teeswater. She is in her first year of university and is working towards a BA in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph. Amelia, like Rebecca, is very interested in being involved in agriculture education in the future, and promotion of agriculture to urban communites. She may also persue a career in agricultural sales and marketing.

For such a young person, Amelia has an impressive resume. She currently is working part-time for AgCareers.com as a project manager and sales intern. She also works part-time for Fraberts Fresh Foods, a local Buy Local initiative store in downtown Fergus. She has also worked for Better Farming magazine attending trade shows and assisting with the classified section of the magazine. She is active in her church and 4H as well.

What agriculture needs today, is enthusiastic young people and both Rebecca and Amelia exude passion for agriculture. The Wellington Federation of Agriculture is both honoured and proud the sponsor the future careers of both of these bright, energetic minds. Congratulations and good luck!

Applications for the 2009 Ray Baptie Memorial Bursary will be available in June by contacting the WFA Administrator Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it