Winners of the 2017/2018 Ray Baptie Award are: Caleb Kottelenberg from Hillsburgh, and Angela Pfaeffli from Palmerston.

Caleb is now in his 2^nd year of the Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics (FARE) program at the University of Guelph.  The focus of the program is on the economics surrounding the diverse world of modern agriculture, as well as the trends and technologies involved in the rapidly changing world of food production.

His family operates a tie tall dairy farm on the 9^th line of Hillburgh where they milk 50 cows, as well as managing a 1200 hog finishing barn.  While in school, Caleb’s farm duties consist of milking and feeding two days a week, while his younger siblings feed the calves.  He has also held other jobs on an area horse farm, and doing general carpentry labour.

Agriculture is Caleb’s passion, and he is excited about the endless opportunities for employment in agriculture.  When he completes University, he hopes to work in the area of finance or marketing—but his ultimate goal is to own and manage his own dairy farm.  He is realistic—costs to start a farm today are astronomical and rising, so he plans to work off farm to save up the capital to one day get off the ground.

Highly involved in his local community, he has been involved in 4H and his church.  He says what he loves most about rural life is the relationships that are built and are always there to help one another.

Angela is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Guelph, Majoring in Animal Science, and is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2019.  After graduation, she hopes to start farming in partnership with her parents and work towards owning the family farm in the future.  Around the farm, Angela is proud to say that the comfort and welfare of their cows comes first, and feels a great sense of accomplishment when she sees milk in the grocery store or the ‘Blue Cow’ logo on containers.  To her, farming is the best job in the world.

Growing up on a farm has taught Angela many life lessons including patience, determination, communication and team work, which will be transferrable skills to her future leadership and/or work roles.  She too (like Caleb) is realistic that primary farming might not be viable for her in the short term, and may need to seek employment in the agricultural industry.  She says that she will always have one goal—and that is to improve the industry for everyone involved—the animals, producers, processors, consumers, and future generations of farmers.

She is a past winner of the Wellington Christian Farmers Scholarship, has worked at Heartland Animal Hospital, is a member of the Listowel Salvation Army band, and has worked on a variety of Dairy Farms.

Winners of the 2016/2017 Ray Baptie Award are: Mikayla Clark of Arthur, Luke Hannam of Guelph/Eramosa Township, Nicole Langdon of Arthur, and Quinn Wilson.

Mikayla is Studying Equine Science Breeding and Production at Olds College in Alberta.

Working at Alta Genetics doing reproductive management at local dairy barns, opened a whole new world for Mikayla.  Reproductive management became a passion, and she decided to combine that with her love of horses and pursue this as a career goal.  Describing herself as an ‘Equine Midwife’ Mikayla is clearly focused on her ultimate career goal of owning her own business. WFA’s review committee described her as ‘hard core and focused’

A community leader, she has numerous awards to her credit, including 2015/2016 Arthur Fall Fair Ambassador and 2016 Congenial Award at the CNE Ambassador of the Fairs competition.  She has volunteered with the annual John Deere show in Grand Valley and is a leader in church VBS programs.

Work experience includes positions at major Dairy AI services, Dajo Dairy, New Obelinks,  Altena Veal, and assistant events coordinator for the Ontario Plowmen’s Association.

Luke is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Science at the University of Guelph.

Luke is a 7^th generation Canadian farmer and intends to carry on the family tradition in the Guelph Eramosa Township. . Growing up on a cash crop farm and seeking other opportunities to learn about different kinds of farming by working and visiting other local operations, he has  come to understand the work and effort required to be a full time farmer and active member of an agricultural community.

He credits the 4H program and his family for teaching him the importance of community in agriculture. He states that the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is more than applicable to agriculture. The collaboration of every branch of agriculture from the man raising a dozen chickens in his backyard to the multi-billion dollar corporation, is inspiring to Luke and excites him to know that he may, one day be a part of this complex and interwoven, yet very simplistic community.

Work experiences include working on the family cash crop farm, working for a landscape company, and helping neighbours with chores.  His list of awards includes: Athlete of the year, Saint James Lion Pride Awards, and the Andy Benham Heart of the Lion Award—just to name a few.

Nicole is enrolled in the degree program at the University of Guelph studying Agricultural Science.

Hailing from a dairy and cash crop farm, her passion for agriculture runs deep and is continuing to grow. Previous internships at Cargill AgHorizons have sparked a keen interest in Nicole, around the crop inputs and protection area.  Her ideal job would allow her observe production and make connections with farmers, and to help incorporate innovative methods to alleviate potential effects on the environment.

Her past employment has been with Langdon Farms Inc., at Tim Hortons, and with Cargill AgHorizons.  An avid volunteer, Nicole has volunteered at FarmSmart Conference, and is involved with University of Guelph Intramural hockey, dodgeball and flag football, and the University of Guelph Weeds Team Horticulture Club.

Quinn is completing a Co-op B.Comm in Food and Agricultural Business Degree at the University of Guelph.

Growing up with an agricultural background, she has become very passionate about the industry.  Studying at the University has widened her eyes to the many opportunities in agriculture, as she has been able to explore the various sectors.  Quinn is interested in all of it-- so she is not closing any doors while she continues her education and personal growth.

Her past employment includes working at Tim Hortons, student dietary aide at Caressent Care, and Research assistant at C&M seeds. The recipient of many other awards, she has received a Monsanto Opportunity Fund Scholarship, Grand River Agricultural Society Scholarship, Parents for French Award, North Wellington Co-op scholarship and Harriston-Minto Agricultural Society Scholarship.

She has been very involved in her community, being a former Harriston-Minto Ambassador of the Fair, attending Ontario Secondary School leadership conference, and much more.  She loves sports and is involved with broomball, figure skating and hockey.