• Home
  • Site Map
  • News
Invest in Norfolk County
Norfolk County Economic Development
Contact | 800-699-9038
  • Text Size A A A
  • Toggle Contrast:
    Twitter
    Visit Us
    Follow Me
    Tweet
    Facebook
    Facebook
    fb-share-icon
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Pin Share
    YouTube
    YouTube
    Trip Advisor
    • Advantages
      of Norfolk
      • Infrastructure
      • Location
      • Pride & Innovation
      • Quality of Life
      • Vision
    • Stats &
      Demographics
      • Our Economy
      • Communities
      • Farm Data
    • Key
      Industries
      • Agriculture
      • Manufacturing
      • Tourism
    • Properties
      & Process
      • Industrial Parkland
      • Properties Available
      • Surplus Properties
      • Maps
      • Development Process
      • Green Light Team
    • Incentives
      & Supports
      • Business Incentive Grants
      • Entrepreneur of the Year
      • Expand & Relocate
      • Film Liaison Office
      • Start and Operate Alternative Accommodation
      • Student Start Up Program
      • Other Governments
    • Workshops
      & Events
      • Workshops
    • Request
      a Meeting
    • About Us
      & News
      • Contact Us
      • Awards
      • News
      • Strategy Review

    Young people keep agriculture vibrant in Norfolk County

    March 27, 2017

    The Norfolk Federation of Agriculture is planting seeds for the future of farming and the agricultural industry at large.

                    For the past several years, the local farm organization has annually awarded a scholarship to a student enrolled in a full-time agricultural or environmental science course leading to a degree or diploma.

                    Named for a long time supporter of the NFA who originally proposed the sponsorship, the Richard Walker Memorial Scholarship traditionally awards $750 to a local student. In some years, there have been no applications for the scholarship. But for 2016, there were a record five applications.

                    Enthused by the response and this year celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NFA, directors decided to give all five applicants the scholarship award.

                    Tanner Buch is a student at Delhi District Secondary School enrolling in a two-year program at Ridgetown with plans to earn a degree at the University of Guelph.

                    “I hope to be a farm operator in the Norfolk/Oxford area, specifically with a cash crop and hay farm,” he said. “I am hoping to make a career as a first generation farmer.”

                    Buch cited the importance of agriculture to society.

                    “Agriculture is under-valued in today’s world and should be recognized for providing all the food and fuel to other industries,” he said.

                    Tyler Butler of Delhi District Secondary School and attending the Ridgetown campus of the University of Guelph aims for an associate diploma in agriculture.

                    “I am looking forward to graduating…and continue working at Nightingale Farms as a crew leader and manager and furthering my knowledge of organics and greenhouse farming.” he said.

                    Bill Nightingale Jr. said Butler has worked at their operation since the age of 15.

                    “His interest and drive shines in the workplace and he will be very successful in whatever farming operation…,” Nightingale said. “Students like Tyler are much needed in Ontario for the future of agriculture in the province.”

                    Sandra Daniels attended Waterford District High School and is enrolled at Ridgetown’s veterinary technology program.

                    “In the future I would like to become a registered veterinary technician,” said Daniels, who is actively involved in her family’s dairy farm  and volunteers at the Norwich Veterinary Clinic.

    Brett Feeney of Holy Trinity Catholic High School will be attending the University of Guelph with hopes of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in environmental science.              

    “I have always had an interest in the environment  and it has become a very valuable aspect of my life,” he said.

    Feeney has been influenced by his family who have transformed their home with the installation of geothermal and solar energy sources.

    “With my degree I hope to find a job in the environmental policy field where I can use research and economics to make a difference,” he said.

    Drew Grummett  of Port Dover Composite School is headed for the two-year agriculture program at Ridgetown.

    Grummett has worked for five years at the Cider Keg and will be working at the University of Guelph Research Station this summer. She’s grown up working on her grandfather’s farm and growing her own crops and wants to make agriculture a career.

    “I would like to change the statistics on young farmers entering the field of agriculture,” she said. “There are so many opportunities for young farmers in the agriculture industry in Norfolk County.”

    Originally published in Norfolk Farms, March 2017, by Media Pro Publishing, 519-429-0847.

    Twitter
    Visit Us
    Follow Me
    Tweet
    Facebook
    Facebook
    fb-share-icon
    Instagram
    Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Pin Share
    YouTube
    YouTube
    Trip Advisor
    Social Share

      Recent News

      • Export Readiness Seminars January 27, 2020
      • Dynamic speakers tabbed for Economic Development Symposium January 27, 2020
      • Employers wanted for Multi-Sector Job Fair March 2 January 21, 2020
      • Annual Report 2019: Norfolk County Tourism and Economic Development January 21, 2020
      • SWIFT announces high-speed broadband projects in Norfolk County January 20, 2020

      News Categories

      News Archives

      Norfolk County Logo

      Norfolk County
      Economic Development
      185 Robinson St., Suite 200
      Simcoe ON  N3Y 5L6 Canada
      Contact Us
      Call 1-800-699-9038

      Development News

      Subscribe to Development News email bulletins

      Browse Latest News

      Links

      Norfolk Tourism
      Norfolk Farms
      Norfolk County
      EDCO
      EDAC

      Contact Us

      • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
      © 2019 Norfolk County Economic Development
      Designed & Developed by Interkom Inc.