The Rocky Ag Society has announced the 2025 class for the five $1,000 bursaries it awards every year.

Longtime Ag Society member Helen Bonde says the bursaries are given to West Country students who plan to attend any post-secondary program of four months or longer — not necessarily in agriculture.

Preference is given to students who participate in farm and home activities with a strong demonstration of how farming has impacted them.

While academic achievement is considered, it is not the primary criterion.

The bursaries, which have been awarded since 1986, are designed to give students with a farm background a further education.

In the past 40 years, around $113,000 has been awarded to 128 students.

This year’s class is:

Gracie Klooster

Gracie grew up on a West County dairy farm.

She’s entering her first year at the University of Saskatchewan, studying agronomy.

 

Oliver Forsyth

A mature student, Oliver is attending Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), taking the automotive parts technician program, with the goal of getting his journeyman certification.

He is a graduate of West Central High School.

 

Nichole Robertson

A graduate of David Thompson High School, Nichole grew up on a farm southeast of Leslieville.

A mature student, Nichole is working toward an education degree at the University of Calgary.

She hopes to return to the West Country area to teach at a local school.

 

Grethe Winchill

Grethe grew up on a farm west of Rocky Mountain House, raising all kinds of livestock including chicken, cattle and sheep.

She has volunteered extensively in the area.

Grethe is attending Concordia University for a four-year bachelor of science degree in biologic sciences, aiming to become a nutritionist and registered dietician.

 

Whitney Vandermeer

Growing up on a sheep and custom farm, she is attending MC College in Red Deer with the goal of completing the hairstyling program.

Whitney intends to return to the Rocky area to begin her career.

 

Bonde says application forms for 2026 are available at West Central High School and David Thompson High School. They can also be found on the organization’s website.