Agrifood scholarships available for students

Students attending three post-secondary institutions in Lethbridge now have the opportunity to win a nice prize. Applicants can apply to win three $2500 scholarships if they are choosing a career path in the agrifood sector. The students have to be attending classes this fall or next spring at either Lethbridge College, the University of Lethbridge or Red Crow College to qualify. Peter Casurella, the Executive Director of Southgrow Regional Initiative, says the agrifood industry continues to grow in southern Alberta with more than 3500 farms operating on more than 4.3 million acres of cropland. He hopes this scholarship will help nurture the future of the agrifood sector.

“The demand for high quality food products globally is surging, and southern Alberta’s really well positioned to take advantage of that market. Not only because we are an intensive agriculture zone, and we grow all of the products that a hungry world needs here. But, we’re well positioned to commercialize, and actually develop food products off of the field crops we grow right here in southern Alberta. Modern geopolitical events have really increased the demand for this kind of thing as supply chains around the world are hurting, and there are fewer food products coming from other traditionally producing areas. The time is now and the opportunity is huge.”

Casurella says applicants must apply directly to him before August 31st to be eligible for the scholarships.

Application Process:
Interested applicants can submit the following documents to peter.casurella@southgrow.com for consideration.
• An official transcript (high school or to-date university transcript, whichever is
applicable. Photocopies or scans are acceptable)
• A 1-page letter addressed to the Board of Directors of the SouthGrow Regional
Initiative that introduces yourself and explains how you hope to apply the
educational program you are enrolled in to pursue a career in the agri-food industry
in southern Alberta.
• Two professional references who can be contacted to speak on your behalf.