Perth County Federation of Agriculture hands out two scholarships

Pictured are the two Perth County Federation of Agriculture scholarship winners, Greta DeWetering and Ian Egger, each accepting a $1,000 scholarship cheque.

The Perth County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) held its annual Harvest Red Tie Gala in Stratford Nov. 21, and the evening program included presentations of scholarships to two young Perth County university students.

The first recipient of a $1,000 scholarship was Ian Egger from the Egger dairy farm family of Gadshill.

Egger has been attending the University of Guelph and is studying and working toward his bachelor of science in agriculture.

Growing up, he said he spent countless hours in the buddy seat of the tractor with his dad. Once he got older, he realized how much science was behind farming and became an “aggie” at the University of Guelph.

Egger immersed himself in many clubs, including the dairy science club, the student Federation of OAC club and the square-dancing club.

He also enrolled in 4-H and spent time at Agrama in Switzerland.

He has also been involved in local church fundraisers and helped out with breakfast on the farm at Hill Manor Farms near Mitchell this year.

Egger says he would like to take over his family farm some day, but did work off the farm last summer at Perth Ag. Partners.

In accepting the scholarship, he said maybe someday he’ll have a son or daughter sitting with him in the buddy seat of his own tractor on his own farm.

The second $1,000 scholarship went to Greta DeWetering, who comes from her family farm outside of Sebringville raising swine, beef and growing certified-organic grains.

For the past eight years, she has been an active member of the Perth county 4-H program, participating in many clubs including crafts, baking and livestock. She has been president for the past three years of the Perth county 4-H beef club and is in her second year as vice president of her Ontario Agriculture College class.

She is studying at the University of Guelph and is working towards becoming a large-animal veterinarian.