OFA celebrates student success and leadership with scholarships and a new award

Photo back row (from left): David Thornton of EDF Power Solutions, OFA Zone 9 Director Mark Reusser, OFA Zone 10 Director Steve Brackenridge, and OFA Zone 8 Director Andrea McCoy-Naperstkow.

Front row (from left), four of the six winners: Heidi McFadden, Clayton Devitt, Kate Normet, and Nicole Danen. Photo courtesy of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is investing in the future of Ontario agriculture by awarding six scholarships to students who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and a passion for farming. Each recipient received $2,000 during OFA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto on November 25, 2025.

Five students earned OFA scholarships, while one was honoured with the inaugural Peter Hannam Leadership Award, created in memory of the former OFA President and founder of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. Hannam, who passed away earlier this year, was widely respected for his commitment to advancing Ontario agriculture.

“Peter Hannam’s vision and leadership helped shape the future of Ontario agriculture in countless ways and continue to have an impact across the sector and beyond to this day,” said Drew Spoelstra, OFA President. “It’s fitting that we honour his legacy with this new award, while continuing to support and celebrate students who represent the next generation of the agriculture industry in our province.”

Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients

• Peter Hannam Leadership Award: Lindsay Dykeman, Kincardine (Bruce County). General Manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative Inc., Dykeman is also a sheep and crop farmer and an active leader in local agricultural organizations. She is currently enrolled in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program to strengthen her governance and strategic planning skills.
• Postgraduate: Katie Normet, Arthur (Wellington County). Owner of River’s Edge Goat Dairy and founder of The Centre for Agricultural Connection, Normet is deeply involved in rural economic development and serves on multiple agricultural boards and committees.
• Apprenticeship: Masen Rice, Douglas (Renfrew County/Ottawa Valley). Rice is completing an apprenticeship as an Agricultural Equipment Technician while remaining active in 4-H and local agricultural events. His goal is to earn Red Seal certification.
• Undergraduate – Southwest: Nicole Danen, Tavistock (Oxford County). A fourth-year agricultural science student at the University of Guelph, Danen is active in 4-H, Junior Farmers, and campus organizations, with plans to manage her family’s dairy farm.
• Undergraduate – Northeast: Heidi McFadden, Duoro Dummer (Peterborough County). McFadden combines her passion for technology and agriculture through her company, ProBot, which teaches coding and robotics. She envisions using automation and AI to address food insecurity and climate challenges.
• Undergraduate – Central: Clayton Devitt, Guelph (Wellington County). Focused on crop research, Devitt is completing his final year at the University of Guelph and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in plant agriculture.

Scholarship applications are open to Ontario students who are OFA members or the child or employee of a member. Details are available at www.ofa.on.ca/community/scholarship-program.

The OFA represents 38,000 farm families across Ontario and advocates for farmers through policy development, research, and community engagement.