You may have noticed an ad in this paper last week for an agricultural scholarship and continuing education grant that are being offered by the City of Delta for students who are interested in studying an aspect agriculture at any post-secondary institution and by completing a continuing education course.
The scholarship and grant are for $2,000 each.
Careers in the agri-food and agri-tech industries are wide and varied, and it is important that young and old alike better understand this $15 billion contributor to our economy. Where we live, agriculture has been, and is, a rich and important part of our heritage and a vital part of our local economy.
Still, we may collectively take the agriculture sector for granted. We tend to regard farming and food production as something that others do. We are more apt to be concerned about what is on the dinner table tonight and not about how it got there.
The scholarship program is recognition that the City of Delta wants to ensure a better understanding of the sector and it is a strong start to build awareness around the importance of the industry amongst youth in the hopes that we can sustain the business of food.
Delta’s Agricultural Advisory Committee has been working on this program for several months and is supportive of building participation in food and farming.
The scholarship offers a broad palette for prospective award winners. Whether it be the pursuit of an undergrad science degree in the hopes of becoming a veterinarian, or looking at trades’ education to become a farm mechanic, the choices are many, yet much still has to be done to market these opportunities. This effort has been under way in the Delta School District for a while via Project Pickle and the Delta Farm Roots program and this year there is an emphasis on engaging grade six and seven students in the hopes that an interest in agri-food and agri-tech will be continued in high school and beyond.
Local farming operations are looking for help in the hopes that food production can be sustained in Delta. There are farmers that need workers now and whom will aim to hire summer help from high school students. Onsite training will be provided, including the development of valuable skills such as operation of farm vehicles, animal husbandry, and other life skills that will go a long way to build real world resumes.
COVID-19 has presented many challenges across many sectors of our economy, but food and farming remains of paramount importance.
The City of Delta’s program will be continued in years to come and it is hoped that students and parents can immerse themselves in informative discussions around understanding what the future may hold in valuable and varied food-related career choices.
Mike Schneider is founder of Project Pickle and likes to write about growing, cooking and eating food. He is a Jamie Oliver Food Revolution ambassador.
