Features Business
Bob L. Ross scholarship open for applications

July 14, 2017, Guelph, Ont. — Applications are now being accepted for the Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship, which gives a Canadian farmer the chance to attend the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management (CTEAM) program.

The program, run by Agri-food Management Excellence (AME), provides farmers the opportunity to learn detailed financial, marketing and human relations management skills, using their own operation as a case study.

Robert (Bob) Ross was instrumental in guiding the CTEAM program, inspiring and encouraging farm management excellence across Canada through his leadership and passion for the agricultural community. Bob fought a courageous battle with cancer, passing in March 2014.

As a tribute to his passion, leadership and legacy, Agri-Food Management Excellence, Farm Management Canada, Family Farms Group and the Ross Family, established the Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship program, rewarding one Canadian farmer with the opportunity to participate in the CTEAM program and continue on a path towards excellence, as inspired by Canada’s leading experts and a one-of-a-kind support network of peers and colleagues.

One scholarship of $11,500 CAN is available to be applied towards tuition and travel. The successful applicant can choose to attend CTEAM starting in December 2017.

Applicants must be more than 21 years of age and possess passion and devotion to excellence in farm business management. See the application for a complete list of requirements.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Sept. 15, 2017.

Applications can be downloaded at www.agrifoodtraining.com.

Criteria:
The Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving farmer who emulates and demonstrate Bob’s lifework through his or her passion and devotion to excellence in farm business management. The award is intended to encourage existing or relatively new farmers who have increasing or major responsibilities in their operations. This includes either farmers who have overall managerial responsibility for their operations or newly entering farmers who have responsibility for specific portions of farm operations. Applicants should demonstrate a desire for managerial excellence in their current and future responsibilities.

Scholarship applicants must:
Be over 21 years of age

Submit an application demonstrating:

• A progressive operation and entrepreneurial spirit
• How the value gained from CTEAM will be used:
  • To contribute to the farm business
  • To contribute to the agricultural industry at large
• Why taking CTEAM interests you personally
• Passion for the industry
• Submit 2 non-family references
• Provide permission to be interviewed for industry media
• Provide a testimonial or report on their experience and impact of the Scholarship within 3 months of program completion, crediting the scholarship partners for making the opportunity possible
• AME Contract Staff, FMC Board and staff, and FFG staff are not eligible to apply.

Application Process:
Applicants must submit a completed application form along with two non-family references.
Deadline for scholarship applications is September 15th, 2017. The application must be received by email to heather@agrifoodtraining.com or by mail to Agri-Food Management Excellence, R.R.1, Donalda, AB, T0B 1H0

If an email is provided, you will be notified acknowledging receipt of your application.
If you have any questions, please email heather@agrifoodtraining.com or call Heather Broughton at (780)781-2840
Winner will be notified prior to September 30th, 2017 and will be publicly announced at the Agricultural Excellence Conference Banquet in Ottawa, Ont., on November 23, 2016.

This scholarship can be used in conjunction with Growing Forward 2 and other government funding. We encourage applicants to check with their provincial authorities on application procedures for these funds. Especially in Ontario it is important to apply early (June/July) for these funds.