Manitoba Bulletin
Growing Opportunities
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
We wish you all the best as you pursue your chosen careers.
MCGA awards scholarships supporting
post-secondary education
Each year, Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) proudly presents five $1,000 scholarships to students who are graduating from grade 12. To qualify, they need to live on, work for, or have guardians that work for, a farm that is a member of MCGA and plan to attend post-secondary education in any field within two years of graduating.
Students submit their applications, which are judged by an independent panel, based on academics, their personal connection to canola, school and community involvement, references and an essay submission.
We were blown away by a record number of high-quality applications this year.
Emilyn Nestibo
Goodlands, MB
Emilyn is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) Plant Biotechnology Specialization program at University of Manitoba.
Laura Delichte
St. Alphonse, MB
Laura is enrolled in the Diploma in Agriculture program at University of Manitoba.
Madisyn Robertson
Neepawa, MB
Madisyn is enrolled in the College of Agriculture & Bioresources – Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at University of Saskatchewan.
Raylyn Koshowski
Dauphin, MB
Raylyn is enrolled in the Faculty of Kinesiology at University of Calgary.
Zenith Vanstone
Miami, MB
Zenith will continue her education at Olds College of Agriculture and Technology.
Where are they now?
Ashlyn Kirk – 2018 recipient
Ashlyn grew up on a family farm outside of Hamiota, Manitoba. She completed a BSc Honours in Biology with a focus on cellular and molecular biology (in 2022) and an MSc in Biology specializing in microbiology (in 2024).
She is currently working as a lab manager for the Institute for Microbial Systems in Society at the University of Regina.
“I was very honoured to be a recipient of the MCGA high school scholarship. Receiving this award validated my hard work at school and in the community, which inspired me to continue this dedication in my post-secondary education. Thank you very much for your continued contribution to supporting students in rural Manitoba! These kinds of opportunities make a huge difference in helping us to reach our goals.”
Russel Pauls – 2018 recipient
Russell was raised on a farm near La Riviere, Manitoba. He graduated from the Agribusiness Diploma program at Assiniboine Community College in May 2020.
After graduating Russell worked in ag retail before writing his Certified Crop Adviser exams in the winter of 2021. Russell works for Field 2 Field Agronomy as a junior agronomist and helps on the family farm operation.
“Receiving the MCGA high school scholarship was a significant honour. I would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to Manitoba Canola Growers for awarding this scholarship, and I would also like to thank MCGA’s farmer-members. It is due in no small part to your check-off dollars that people like myself and others are able to receive assistance in attaining an education and advancing our careers in the field of agriculture.”
Manitoba Canola Growers take 12 researchers to camp
Twelve researchers got on a bus and toured six south-central Manitoba farms June 25 and 26, interacting face-to-face with the farmers who rely on their science.
“We host this Research Camp each summer to bring researchers out to the farm so they can see first hand the challenges that we’re trying to address,” says Amy Delaquis, research manager with Manitoba Canola Growers. “When researchers meet the farmers who pay for the research and rely on the results, we hope it elevates their overall understanding of canola production in Manitoba. We want the researchers to see why their work matters.”
“When researchers meet the farmers who pay for the research and rely on the results, we hope it elevates their overall understanding of canola production in Manitoba. We want the researchers to see why their work matters.”
– Amy Delaquis
Dilshan Benaragama, one of the campers, appreciated the opportunity to talk with farmers and understand how they make farming decisions. “These conversations gave me the idea that research we conduct should have a greater economic impact for farmers to do changes on their farms,” says the University of Manitoba crop production chair in the Department of Plant Sciences.
Leanne Koroscil, another camper, is the manager of EMILI’s Innovation Farms. Koroscil grew up on a farm in Manitoba and works on a farm today, yet she still benefitted from the Research Camp experience. “My highlight was the opportunity to connect my experiences in digital agriculture with the work of researchers and producers at the camp, all while learning about the exciting research and progress happening in the canola industry,” Koroscil says.
The camp made three farm stops on day one and three on day two. Campers met farmers Jeremie Lussier from Morris, Jackie Dudgeon-MacDonald from Darlingford, Andy and Terry Keen from Kaleida, Sally and Jennie Parsonage from Greenway, Samantha Devloo and Tegan Jonk from Bruxelles, and Paul Wurtz from Starlite Colony at Starbuck.
Andy and Terry Keen described for the campers their experiences with clubroot and the regenerative practices they employ within their cattle operation. “Making that connection back to the farm, whether it be for researchers, students or neighbours, is one of our farm goals,” Andy Keen says. “When people stay in touch with farms, it’s for the greater good of the entire industry. We like to be an open book to share challenges and successes.”
Edel Pérez-López is a clubroot researcher and associate professor at the Université Laval in Quebec. He posted this tweet on X: “I think every researcher working for growers should have this kind of experience. We learn so much about where our food comes from, the struggles behind it, and how our research can help overcome them.”
Amy Delaquis tweeted a reply: “This is the exact reason Manitoba Canola Growers put on Research Camp each year.”
Congratulations to Red River College scholarship winners
Each year, MCGA supports professional baking students at Red River College Polytechnic with a $1,000 scholarship to help continue their professional growth. Students enter a bake-off competition by creating an original recipe using canola oil. These achievements are formally recognized at the annual School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Awards Reception.
Congratulations to this year’s winners! First place winner was Emily Chevrefils, second place was Toyosi Akinlade and third place was Aiden Mulvihill. Special thank you to our judges Chef Austin Ryan from Cake-ology and Food and Travel Writer Shel Zolkewich.
(Left to right): Carrie Livingston, Communications Coordinator at MCGA, pictured with judge Shel Zolkewich, scholarship winners Emily Chevrefils, Aiden Mulvihill and Toyosi Akinlade and judge Chef Austin Ryan.