The National Farmers Union is raising money for the Paul Beingessner Excellence in Writing Award.
The cash award honours Paul Beingessner, a farm activist and writer died June 25 in an accident on his farm near Truax, Sask.
Beingessner began farming in the early 1980s after receiving a degree in psychology and working as a social worker.
In 1991 he began writing a column on farming and transportation issues for local weekly newspapers. He was manager of Southern Rails Co-operative from 1991-97 and a delegate to Saskatchewan Wheat Pool from 1996-98.
Beingessner worked with the provincial government’s short-line advisory unit from 1996-99 before forming a consulting practice specializing in agriculture and transportation.
Award details have not yet been determined, but possible recipients include high school students, 4-H members, university students and working journalists.
Students would be asked to write letters and essays about aspects of family farming and farm politics.