Established by the late Martin Streef, the $1000 OYF scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing post secondary education in agriculture in Canada.
Chosen from more than a dozen applicants across the country, Dykstra attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College before entering veterinary medicine at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where she recently completed her first year.
“It was a huge surprise to win this scholarship, and it will definitely go towards tuition and living expenses,” Dykstra said. She will be formally recognized at the 2012 OYF national event, taking place in Charlottetown in November.
Dykstra began her lifelong appreciation of animals and her desire to become a veterinarian growing up her family’s dairy operation in Havelock. After her father emigrated from Holland in the late 1970s, Dykstra’s parents established a herd milking up to 120 Holsteins. The family operation also includes about 700 acres of barley, corn and silage.
“Awarding the scholarship to family of OYF alumni is extremely gratifying,” OYF President Derek Janzen stated. “A passion for agriculture has clearly been passed down to Rianne. Her love of animals and farming background will equip her with a solid foundation to serve Canadian agriculture.”
The OYF Memorial Scholarship was established by the late Martin Streef – president Streef Produce Ltd., a family-run fresh fruit and vegetable business in Woodstock Ontario – to help future generations of Canadians pursue their passion for agriculture. In 1996, Streef was recognized as both the Ontario and the Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer. He died in April 2008.
Full application details are available at www.oyfcanada.com/scholarships.
