For Immediate Release:
September 2, 2024
Wilkesport, Ontario – Lambton Federation of Agriculture announces post-secondary scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Lambton Federation of Agriculture recently awarded 9 scholarships to deserving post-secondary students at their OFA Regional Meeting. held at the Wilkesport Community Centre August 22.
Joyce Anderson Scholarship ($2,000)
Administered by The Sarnia Community Foundation – Executive Director Mike Barron presented the scholarship on their behalf.
Joyce Anderson was a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food working in Lambton County. She died at a relatively young age and her family donated funds to the Sarnia Community Foundation to provide an annual scholarship to a 2nd or 3rd year student of any post secondary program at a recognized post secondary institution.
This year’s recipient was Sydney Goodreau from north of Croton. Sydney is enrolled at Redeemer University for a four year English degree with a special focus on creative writing. Sydney has written a few young adult novels already and hopes to be published one day.
Bill and Dorothy Abraham Scholarship ($1,000)
Bill Abraham was a long time agriculture representative of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He and his wife, Dorothy made their home in Petrolia and raised their family there. The scholarship is in their honour and goes to a student from Lambton County who is enrolled in the 1st year of a diploma or degree program in agriculture at a recognized post-secondary institution.
This year’s recipient was Pavla Gerrits from Petrolia. Pavla is enrolled at the University of Guelph for a four-year Animal Biology degree. Pavla is planning on going to Ontario Veterinary College to continue on to become a veterinarian.
Patrick and Timothy Kerrigan Scholarship ($1,000)
The Kerrigan scholarship was started in 1988 (with funding replenished in 2021 upon the passing of Tim). It is awarded to a student enrolled in the 2nd or more year of college or the third or more year of university in any post secondary program at a recognized post secondary institution in Ontario.
The Kerrigan brothers lived near Reeces Corners and they decided to set up a scholarship to be administered by the Lambton Federation of Agriculture because they were pleased with the assistance that they received from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Lambton Federation of Agriculture in negotiating a settlement with the government at the time that 402 was being built and was limiting the access to all of their farm properties.
This year’s recipient was Dayna Robbins from Mooretown. Dayna is in year 2 towards a four year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Lambton College. She hopes to become a Registered Nurse at a local facility.
The Bell Scholarships
These scholarships are in honour of Mr. Bell who was a farmer in Moore Township who left funds in his Will to set up a scholarship for Lambton County students and to be administered through the Lambton Federation of Agriculture.
To qualify for the scholarships, the student must be enrolled in the 2nd or more year of a program in agriculture.
Bell One Scholarship ($1,000)
This year’s recipient was Samuel Thomas from Mooretown. Samuel is enrolled at the University of Guelph in Ridgetown for an Associate Diploma in Agriculture and hopes to continue working in the agriculture sector, or learn a trade.
Bell Two Scholarship ($1,000)
This year’s recipient was Tim Bastiaansen from Thedford. Tim is enrolled at the University of Guelph in Ridgetown for an Associate Diploma in Agriculture and hopes to take over the family’s layer farm as well as get into some cash cropping.
Dona Stewardson Scholarship ($1,000)
This scholarship is in honour of Dona who was a long time Lambton Federation of Agriculture director and served on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture executive committee as Vice President.
To qualify for this scholarship, the student is to be enrolled in the 2nd or more year of any post secondary program.
This year’s recipient was Nikki Boere from Warwick Township. Nikki is enrolled at McMaster University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, in her fourth year. Nikki is hoping to work in a critical care setting, such as an emergency department once she graduates and becomes a registered nurse. Nikki also was awarded the Lois Wakefield scholarship in 2021.
Lois Wakefield Scholarship ($1,000)
This scholarship is in honour of the LFA’s former secretary-treasurer who served the federation for 49 years.
The scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the fist year of any post secondary program of 2 years or more in length.
This year’s recipient was Mallory Forbes from Sarnia. Mallory is enrolled at Western University for a four year psychology degree. Mallory is hoping to continue her education to become an Occupational Therapist.
Don McCabe Scholarship ($1,000)
This scholarship is to honour Mr. McCabe who rose up through the provincial organization to become the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be enrolled in the 3rd or more year of any post secondary program. A further criteria for this scholarship is to have been involved in 4-H programs in Lambton County with the completion of a minimum of 6 projects.
This year’s recipient was Addison Griffin from Sarnia. Addison is enrolled in the 4 year Kinesiology Bachelor of Arts program at Western University. Addison is hoping to continue studies towards becoming a physiotherapist.
Lambton County Women’s Institute Scholarship ($1,000)
In 2021, the Lambton County Women’s Institute entrusted the LFA with money to continue the scholarship in their name.
This year’s recipient was Tyler McGrail from Wyoming. Tyler is enrolled at University of Guelph for the Justice and Legal Studies program with the hope of becoming a lawyer.
-30-
Backgrounders:
The Lambton Federation of Agriculture is a non-profit general farm organization in Lambton County who helps and supports farmers with issues relating to their farm operations.
For the regular scholarships:
Applicants need to be from a family actively farming in Lambton County:
While you do not need to be an LFA/OFA member, it is required that you (or parents or grandparents or guardian) have a valid FBR number registered in Lambton County.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is July 15th yearly.
For More Information:
Lambton Federation of Agriculture
519-864-4224 | lambtonfederation.ca