ASB updates bursary, awards policies
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Wheatland County Agriculture Service Board (ASB) is working to introduce a new awards policy and establish a scholarship awards committee.
Additionally, county administration recommended the ASB approve updates to the existing bursary policy.
The updates proposed during the Jan. 15 meeting of the board, retained the original meaning and intent of the policy, but included reorganization, rewording, and expansion of the sections to enhance clarity and structure.
A drafted awards policy was presented before the ASB, July 3, 2024. A significant amendment to the presented draft was the inclusion of a Master Farm Family award, which has since been incorporated into the updated draft policy.
This award is designed to honour families who excel in technical farm production, sustainability practices, team-based farm business management, involvement in the agricultural industry, and community service.
County administration was also directed to include the BMO Farm Family Award and the Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award within the awards policy.
As part of the updates to the bursary policy, administration recommended renaming the policy to the “Scholarship Policy,” as it would denote an award based on individual achievement, instead of a bursary, which typically implies need-based financial assistance.
The ASB provides up to $10,000 in scholarships annually, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $500, to a maximum of $2,500. This is based on the number of eligible candidates who have applied, and the final approval of Wheatland County council.
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution, be accepted into a program that is in or supports the field of agriculture or environmental science, have graduated high school within three years of the application deadline, and reside within the boundaries of Wheatland County.
Students from Strathmore have been awarded bursaries from Wheatland County in previous years, however going forward, the scholarship awards committee will oversee awards and will make recommendations to the ASB regarding applicants who do not necessarily live in Wheatland County specifically.
During discussion, the ASB outlined concerns regarding potential applicants who do not specifically reside within the county. Suggestions for how to approach such applicants included interviews, biographies within applications, or some proof of knowledge regarding agricultural practices and food production within the county.
A motion to approve the updated bursary policy as it was amended, including renaming it to “Scholarship Policy,” was unanimously approved by the ASB following discussion.