Scholarship winner reaping what she has sown

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This article was published 21/01/2011 (5415 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to academic excellence and agricultural ambition, Laryssa Grenkow is a good example of how you can reap what you sow.

Grenkow, 22, who lives on a family farm in the St. Norbert area, was recently awarded the Manitoba Canola Growers Association Scholarship.

The scholarship is offered to a student enrolled on a full-time basis in the third or fourth year of study in the degree program in the faculty of agricultural and food sciences at the University of Manitoba.

 He or she must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and have demonstrated involvement in extracurricular activities.

Grenkow is a fourth year student majoring in agronomy at the U of M. She is set to graduate this spring and plans to continue her post graduate studies in the university’s department of soil sciences.

“I was really excited and honoured they chose me for the scholarship,” said Grenkow, noting the degree will help cover the costs of her tuition.

“My degree is multidimensional and I love it because I am exposed to a little bit of every aspect of crop production, including courses in ecology, entomology, weed science, pathology and agribusiness,” Grenkow said.

Having grown up on the family farm, the Fort Richmond Collegiate graduate said the seeds of her future field of study were sown at an early age.

“I have a strong appreciation for the business and the people in the industry that work to feed the world,” Grenkow said.

“Studying agriculture has become more relevant than ever with the need to feed a growing population and there are many opportunities after graduation that look exciting. And it also might have had something to do with wanting to be like mom and dad.”

Grenkow added that the impact of her studies affects Winnipeg and beyond.

“Everyone, whether they choose to recognize it or not, is connected to the local and global food production system. It is vital that our community has enough people interested in pursuing a career in the industry so that we can sustain our economy and food security,” she said.

Bill Ross, executive manager of the MCGA, said the scholarship is intended to help students grow into an agricultural career.

“It’s really important to support our youth, as the next generation will become our future leaders,” said Ross, who lives in La Salle.

Ross said the MCGA — which represents canola farmers across the province — also provides annual bursaries for students “who may not otherwise be able to further their education due to financial difficulty.”

Ross said that despite cultural and generational trends, agriculture “is and always will be important, as that’s how we learn to feed Manitoba and the world.”

“Young people should know that agriculture is not just about growing crops. It’s also about science and sustainability and also about the development of healthy food and how to grow it,” Ross said.
“And to be honest, the pay is good, too.”

For more information, visit www.mcgacanola.org.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com