IMP Scholarships Help Youth Pursue Careers in Agriculture

CENTRAL ELGIN – The County of Elgin is pleased to announce that the 2015 recipients of the International Plowing Match (IPM) legacy scholarship have been selected.  The successful applicants are Ms. Anita Rastapkevicius of West Elgin, Mr. Michael Jenkins of Central Elgin and Mr. Travis Caughill of Southwold.

The program was launched by a committee formed by Council, staff and members of the 2010 Elgin County IPM to award a County female and male student a $2,500 grant each to assist them in their agriculturally-related studies in college or university. Ms. Rastapkevicius will be awarded $2,500 as the top female applicant. The committee felt that Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Caughill were equally deserving of the scholarship and as a result, they will each be awarded $1,250.

Ms. Rastapkevicius is pursuing her degree in Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph, Mr. Jenkins is pursing an Associate Diploma in Agriculture at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus and Michael Jenkins is also attending the Ridgetown Campus to pursue an Agri-Business Degree.

The scholarships are awarded by a committee consisting of Warden Paul Ens, 2010 IPM chairperson Duncan McPhail and the County’s Director of Community and Cultural Services, Brian Masschaele.

Above: Warden Paul Ens, Michael Jenkins, Travis Caughill, Anita Rastapkevicius (left to right)

Agriculture is the backbone of Elgin County’s economy and this scholarship will help youth pursue agriculture as a career and ensure that the industry remains strong in the future. 

The criteria and application form may be accessed by visiting the County’s website at: www.elgincounty.ca/ipmscholarship.

Info and photo courtesy of Elgin County