Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) is proud to support agriculture’s next generation. MCA’s bursary program is designed to assist with the financial needs of students pursuing education in a field that will benefit the agriculture sector.

Six post-secondary students from Manitoba have been awarded with MCA 2025-26 bursaries valued at $2,000 each. The 2025-26 bursary recipients are Daniela Heinrichs from Clearwater, Marco Fanzago from Elm Creek, Evan Whetter from Alexander, Kayden Stewart from Rosser, Cohen Crammond from Austin, and Nolan Marginet from Treherne.

“Today’s students are agriculture’s future leaders, and we are proud to support the next generation as they continue their education,” says MCA chair Jonothan Hodson. “This year’s post-secondary bursary recipients all have deep roots in agriculture and a desire to broaden their knowledge. I look forward to seeing how they will advance our industry and give back to their communities.”

Bursary applicants needed to meet the following criteria:

• Have completed a minimum of one year (two terms) of post-secondary education at the college or university level (diploma or degree) and are enrolled full-time for the 2025-26 school year in an agricultural program within Canada.
• Have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
• Have an interest in wheat (spring or winter), corn, barley, flax or sunflower crops, or agriculture in general, as demonstrated in a brief, one-page letter.
• Are from a farm that is a member in good standing with MCA.
• Have not previously been awarded an MCA post-secondary bursary (past high school bursary recipients remain eligible for a post-secondary bursary).

An independent selection committee was contracted to evaluate the applicants based on their connection to or interest in agriculture, explanation of why they decided to enrol in an agriculture-related post-secondary program, how they hope to benefit the agriculture industry once they have graduated and are in the workforce, and their academics and writing skills.

This year, the selection committee included Melody Caron, the owner/director of independent crop production research company TapRoot Research Ltd., and Elizabeth Karpinchick, a registered professional agrologist working as an independent consultant for Tone Ag Consulting Ltd.

Caron started TapRoot Research Ltd. in 2022 and has been supporting varietal development, pesticide efficacy and fertility research in the Red River Valley and Carman, MB. Her background in soil science, agroecology and as a field biologist have all contributed to her interest and expertise in conducting field research in Manitoba. Caron and her husband have two children and operate a grain farm near Brunkild, MB, where they grow cereals, soybeans and canola.

Karpinchick specializes in field crop agronomy, soil testing, on-farm testing and organic crop production. She serves on the Agrologist Manitoba board of directors and is president of the St. Pierre Agricultural Society, the St. Pierre CDC and the Frog Follies Committee.

Thank you to the selection committee for evaluating the bursary applications and congratulations to the 2025-26 bursary recipients!

Meet the MCA 2025-26 bursary recipients