Rebecca Bylsma (left) and Aaron Lorenz have each received a $1,500 scholarship (Photo courtesy SouthGrow Regional Economic Development)

By Justin Goulet

Agri-food Futures Scholarship

Two local students receive agricultural scholarships

Sep 22, 2019 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two Southern Alberta students have received a significant scholarship from SouthGrow Regional Economic Development.

Lethbridge’s Aaron Lorenz and Taber’s Rebecca Bylsma are each the recipients of a $1,500 Agri-food Futures Scholarship, after a call for applicants was put out in the spring.

The award is meant to support the academic advancement of young learners who plan to use their education to work in the growing regional agri-food industry.

In a release, Town of Cardston (a member of SouthGrow) Councillor Gerry Selk said they initially only planned to give out one scholarship but a when they looked at the candidates, he said “we knew it would be worthwhile to dig a little deeper.”

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Lorenz is a third-year student at the University of Lethbridge, working towards a Bachelor of Management in Economics with a minor in Agricultural Economics. According to SouthGrow, Lorenz has experience taking part in projects with the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers.

“I would like to sincerely thank [SouthGrow] for this scholarship. It means a lot to me as it will allow me to continue to develop my skills so that I may pursue a career in Agricultural Economics,” Lorenz stated in a release from SouthGrow.

“I plan to use my education to improve the lives of southern Albertans throughout the agricultural system from the field to the table. I am very grateful for this honour. I only hope I can make southern Alberta proud.”

REBECCA BYLSMA

Bylsma studies at Lethbridge College in the agri-business program. SouthGrow noted that Bylsma grew up east of Taber and has a wealth of real-world experience on local farms.

She hopes to translate her knowledge of the science and business of agriculture into real-world on farm applications, helping production facilities compete at a world-class level.

“Thanks to everyone for who has helped me in the industry and aided me into getting to where I am today. A very special thanks to the Board of Directors of SouthGrow for choosing me for this great scholarship,” she was quoted as saying in the release.

SouthGrow is a partnership of 26 communities in south-central Alberta that works to represent the interests of more than 170,000 people.

Municipalities involved with SouthGrow include: Village of Arrowwood, Blood Tribe, Town of Cardston, Cardston County, Village of Carmangay, Village of Champion, Town of Claresholm, Town of Coaldale, Town of Coalhurst, Village of Coutts, City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge County, Village of Lomond, Town of Magrath, MD of Taber, Town of Milk River, Village of Milo, Town of Nobleford, Town of Picture Butte, Town of Raymond, Village of Stirling, Town of Taber, Town of Vauxhall, Town of Vulcan, Vulcan County and the Village of Warner.