Churchbridge, SK (October 16, 2025) – Rebecca Mayerle of Tisdale, SK and Keenan Karish of Fraserwood, MB have been selected as the Outstanding Young Farmers Memorial Scholarship winners for 2025. Each winner receives a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary agricultural education4.
Rebecca Mayerle’s passion for agriculture began at an early age but during the global pandemic Rebecca became involved in the daily activities of her family farm. Learning about the farm operations developed a love for the farm that she hopes one day, to take over. By attending farm meetings with her parents, Rebecca learned about all the distinct farms across Canada as well as the occupations that are available in the agriculture industry. She has enjoyed hosting Ag in Classroom on her family farm. As she feels it is important to share the agriculture story about where food comes. As she attends the University of Saskatchewan, she wants to use science and research to improve how crops are grown so agriculture can continue to feed the world.
Keenan Karish feels farming is not a job but a living legacy his family started creating over 100 years ago. While he attends the University of Manitoba, he is taking over the beef production of his grandparents. He has begun implementing regenerative practices of rotational grazing and cover crops to improve soil health and reduce his environmental footprint on his family farm. Keenan also spends time volunteering at a local vet clinic to prepare him for his plans to attend Veterinary Medicine. He feels the future of rural communities are dependent on strong agricultural practices and plans to come back to rural Manitoba and share his knowledge and support his community.
The award includes two annual scholarships – one to an individual who has completed at least one year of post-secondary study in agriculture, and the other to someone who has completed high school and is enrolling in a post-secondary education in agriculture. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to write an essay about why they are passionate about agriculture in Canada.
Full details and application forms for the OYF Memorial Scholarships are available at https://www.oyfcanada.com/language/en/nominations-criteria/scholarship/
The deadline for nominations for the scholarships is June 30, 2026.
Celebrating 45 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CIBC, John Deere, Bayer, Sollio Agriculture, Meridian Manufacturing and CN with media sponsors Glacier FarmMedia and Nucleus Consulting and video sponsor, Bamboo Shoots. It is supported nationally by BDO and Dieno Digital.
-30-
For more information contact:
Carla Kaeding, Program Manager, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers
306.896.7833 ·[email protected] · www.oyfcanada.com