The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has just awarded its 2024-25 bursaries to six deserving university students from across the province, supporting the future of agriculture in Manitoba.
Madison Kostal, the Research and Production Coordinator at MCA, took some time to share what went into the selection process and why these bursaries are so important for the next generation of Ag leaders.
Supporting the Future of Agriculture
Kostal explained that her role at MCA is a bit of a mix.
“I wear many hats around here. My job supports both our research and extension teams, and helping with the bursaries is one of the fun parts.” The MCA’s bursary program isn’t just about giving financial help; it’s about investing in the future of agriculture in Manitoba.
She continues, “We really want to encourage young people to get involved in agriculture, whether it’s on the farm or through other sectors of the industry. Our board has made it a strategic priority to inspire the next generation of farmers, researchers, and ag professionals. Agriculture is such an important part of our province, and we want to see young people thrive in this field.”
What Makes a Strong Bursary Applicant?
When asked what qualifications the students needed to meet, Kostal explained that the bursaries are available to students from farms that are members of the Manitoba Crop Alliance. “Most of the students who apply are from family farms,” she said. “They also need to be enrolled in a post-secondary program that’s related to agriculture—whether it’s a degree or diploma in agriculture or a program with an Ag-related focus.”
The students were also asked to write a letter detailing their interest in agriculture and what they hope to do with their education in the future. Madison emphasized that the application process isn’t just about academic excellence, but about a genuine passion for the industry.
A Competitive Process
The MCA bursaries are highly competitive, and Madison highlighted that the selection is done by professionals outside of the organization. “The applications are judged by experts in the Ag industry, like Curtis Cavers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and our resident Ag expert, Loveleen Kaur Dhillon,” she explained. “They score the applications based on things like the student’s interest in agriculture, how relevant their program of study is to the industry, and their overall goals for the future.”
She also mentioned that while many of the recipients come from family farms, their areas of interest in agriculture vary greatly.
“Some students are focused on taking over the family farm and improving the industry, while others are looking at broader issues like supply chain and food security,” she said. “It’s so exciting to see the diversity in these young people’s interests and their drive to make a difference in agriculture.”
2024-25 Manitoba Crop Alliance bursary recipients are:
The Future of Agriculture in Manitoba
Looking forward, Kostal is optimistic about the future of agriculture in the province.
“We’re seeing such a dynamic and innovative generation coming up in the industry,” she said. “Farming is no longer just about growing crops; it’s a complex business that requires knowledge in everything from science to marketing to supply chains. The young people we’re seeing today are ready to take on those challenges.”
She also praised the students who are returning to education after pursuing other careers.
“It’s really inspiring to see people who’ve had other jobs come back to agriculture because they see how important it is,” she said. “That kind of thirst for knowledge and innovation is exactly what we need to keep the industry moving forward.”
As for the 2024-25 bursary recipients, Kostal noted that each of them will receive $2,000 to help with their studies.
“We award six of these bursaries every year, and we’re always impressed by the quality of applicants,” she said. “The diversity of backgrounds and interests really stood out to us this year, and we’re so excited to see what these students will do in the future.”
Encouraging More Students to Apply
Kostal also encourages more students to apply for future bursaries.
“We always get a great number of applications, and we encourage anyone who qualifies to apply. There’s so much talent out there, and it’s exciting to see so many young people passionate about agriculture,” she said.
The bursary program is just one of the ways that MCA is supporting the future of agriculture in Manitoba, and Kostal is proud to be part of it.
"We’re helping to nurture the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of agriculture,” she said. “And that’s something we’re really proud of.”
For more information about the Manitoba Crop Alliance and its bursary program, visit their website.