If you happen to visit the Co-op Agro Centre in Cupar, Sask., this summer, you might get the chance to chat with Carter Folk.
Carter, who just completed his second year studying agribusiness at the University of Saskatchewan, is part of the Co-op Excellence in Ag Program. Though one might assume that most, if not all, of the students who participate in the program grew up on farms, Carter isn’t a farm kid.
“My parents have worked in the agriculture industry for over 25 years. Their interest and involvement helped me see it was a good industry to work in.”
Students are fully integrated into the Co-op Grow Team at a local co-operative during their internships, providing them with opportunities to truly learn the ins and outs of how we serve farmers and get to know farmers on a practical, personal level.
“Being at the Co-op allows you to deal directly with customers and understand what they’re going through. You get to be part of the business that supports them,” said Carter.
He said this firsthand experience is helping guide the path his career will take. Though he’s been able to explore agronomy through field scouting and tours, his passion lies in helping farmers be more productive.
“Going forward, I want to help farmers better realize the tools they have available to them to be more efficient, to help them understand new technologies that can make their lives easier,” he said.
Co-op’s Excellence in Ag program supports the bright futures of post-secondary students pursuing diploma or degree programs focused on agriculture or agribusiness. The program provides scholarships of up to $20,000 over four years, paid internships for up to three years within the Co-operative Retailing System in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as post-graduation career opportunities.
For Carter, the EIA program has helped him see the value of relationships between farmers and the businesses that serve them. “When you’re at the retail, you are able to build relationships first. The relationship is the starting point, where you’re really invested in what they’re doing and want to provide them with the inputs they need,” said Carter. “I ask myself ‘How can I benefit the farmer? How can I bring value to the farmer?’ Not just through selling him inputs, but also with the Grow Team agronomists on site who can give advice.”
Carter also gives credit to the team he works with. “This is a great experience for students, especially if this is your first job in agriculture. You get to work with people within the Co-op, get their perspective and learn how to communicate with farmers,” he said. “You get to know what’s really going on in their day-to-day work.”