Every year, the Co-operative Retailing System welcomes up to four new students into the Co-op Excellence in Ag Program, a comprehensive scholarship package for students studying agriculture and agribusiness. The deadline to apply for this year’s program is Oct. 31, 2018. Apply for the Excellence in Ag Program today.
Heidi Tymko doesn’t have to worry about how she’s going to spend the upcoming summer.
Or next summer. Or the one after that.
After being accepted into the Co-op Excellence in Ag Program earlier this year, Tymko will be provided with scholarship money and paid summer internships at a Co-op Agro Centre for up to three years, as well as the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.
“My passion for cattle, agriculture in general and all the youth programs that I’ve been through — those pushed me to really stay involved with agriculture and showed me a lot of opportunities within it,” said Tymko, who grew up on a cattle farm outside St. Paul, Alta., and recently completed her first year of agribusiness in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan.
“I first learned about (the Excellence in Ag Program) through one of my friends … it looked like a good opportunity to get not just a job, but great work experience and scholarship money to help you through financially.”
Diverse experiences
Tymko’s first summer in the program is being spent with Wild Rose Co-op in Sedgewick, Alta.
There, she’ll become familiar with the ins and outs of a multi-faceted ag retailer that provides local producers with crop inputs, grain storage and handling equipment and animal feed and supplies.
“There’s so much there for a small community, because of all the farming around it. It’s really cool to see,” said Tymko, who was an active participant in 4-H and the Canadian Junior Angus Association.
“I’m excited to learn more about grain production in my summer employment by working with all the different inputs and people.”
Build your network
While many Excellence in Ag recipients focus on agronomy, Tymko will get a little taste of everything this summer — from retail operations and grower outreach to marketing and relationship management.
Along the way, she’ll receive regular feedback and guidance from the experienced Co-op employees she’s working alongside.
“I can find out what I like and what aspects I’m really interested in,” said Tymko.
Over the course of the multi-year program, Tymko will also benefit from meeting and working with ag professionals from across the Co-op system.
“Just getting that network of people that you can always go back to and talk to and get advice from — it’s really good for my career development,” said Tymko.
Since 2018, Co-op has welcomed 23 students into its Excellence in Ag Program. This year, nine of those recipients will be working in Co-op Agro Centres across Western Canada, while another four will be graduating and beginning full-time careers with Co-op. Congratulations to all of the recipients!
Danielle Chamberland - Wetaskawin Co-op
Braden Koroscil - Prairie Co-op
Cameron Choquette - Saskatoon Co-op
Kiana Sajtos - Federated Co-operatives Limited
Jamie Macaskill - Palliser Plains Co-op
Heidi Tymko - Wild Rose Co-op
Martie Blatz - South Country Co-op
Nicholas Pouteau - Marquette Co-op
Darby Chappel - Central Plains Co-op
Danean Edgar - Central Plains Co-op
Rachael Verwey - Pembina Co-op
Sara Grassick - Lake Country Co-op
Shanna Jones - Lake Country Co-op