Nuffield scholarship winners announced
Recipients for the 2016 Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarships are Tony Balkwill of Paris, Ont., Clare Doan from Norwich, Ont., and Tim Smith of Coronation, Alta.
Each scholar is awarded $15,000.
The three farmers will spend a week in Ireland in February, where they will network with other scholars while participating in tours, workshops and speaking engagements. They will then travel for a minimum of 10 weeks around the world to study their chosen topic: precision agriculture, supply management in the turkey industry and the social licence for sustainable beef production.
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Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
New this year are sponsorships from Glacier Media and Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Applications for the 2017 scholarships are due April 30.
For more information, visit www.nuffield.ca.
Flax industry hires extension agronomist
The Flax Council of Canada, along with the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission and the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, has hired agronomist Rachel Evans.
She will work with Paul Dribnenki and grower groups to advance agronomic initiatives for the flaxseed industry.
The organization has more than $1.6 million available over three years for research and development projects focused on yield improvements through research plots and using this data to develop best management practices for producers.
Excellence In Ag Program offers scholarships
Federated Co-operatives Ltd. is accepting applications for the 2016 Co-op Excellence in Ag program.
Students enrolled in a diploma or degree program in agriculture or business have until Oct. 15 to apply for the scholarship and summer internship program.
The four new students selected will receive up to $20,000 through the program, which also offers paid summer internships and the opportunity for future employment with a member co-operative.
The Excellence in Ag program has provided more than $121,000 to 13 students since it was launched in 2013.
The application process involves writing a 500 word essay on one of three topics: co-operatives and their impact on their local communities, the future of agriculture in Western Canada and how co-operatives can stay relevant in agriculture in Western Canada.
More information is available at Co-op Agro Centres and at www.coopag.ca.
Young worker course now online
A new interactive version of the Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/ywrcc or by calling 800-667-1783.
The job readiness course is mandatory for 14 and 15 year olds who want to work in Saskatchewan. It teaches young workers about their rights and responsibilities that relate to health, safety and employment standards in the workplace.
The new course comes with games, animation and videos on high and low band widths. It will take about two to three hours to complete.
A paper and pencil version of the course is also available.
Young workers cannot work after 10 p.m. the night before a school day, work before classes on a school day and work more than 16 hours in a school week.
They can work the same hours as other employees during summer holidays.
