Excellence in Ag Student Internship & Scholarship

Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) are helping tomorrow’s ag leaders get a head start on their careers. The Excellence in Ag Program is a unique scholarship and internship opportunity that helps finance a student’s education, provide valuable field experience, and build their professional career in the agribusiness industry. Students studying agriculture at an accredited institution will enter the program every year.

Consider the benefits of applying for the Excellence in Ag Program:

Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded in installments of $2500–$5000 annually up to a maximum of $20,000 towards an applicable degree and completion of the program.
Internships: Paid internships will be available for up to three years in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Alberta. During this internship, students will be fully integrated into the Agro Team at a local co-operative.
Employment: Upon successful completion of post-secondary education, students have the opportunity for full-time employment — including a signing bonus — at a local co-operative.
Who we are:

As a co-operative, we do business differently. We believe in working together to serve Western Canadians, delivering profits back to our communities and investing in sustainable growth. Our work is guided by our values of integrity, excellence and responsibility and driven by our vision of building sustainable communities together. To learn more about who we are, visit www.co-op.crs.

What you’ll do:

The Excellence in Ag Student is critical to a local Co-op in the CRS. The student will work with a local Co-op and will learn how a retail functions. The student will get the opportunity to work with the entire Ag Solutions Team (Seed, Crop Protection, Ag Equipment, Fertilizer and Feed) including Key Account Managers, as well as Grow, Equip and Feed Team Advisors.

Complete training plans to understand the retail business
Proactively provide timely, accurate, and relevant agronomic information and guidance on seed choices, weed, disease, and insect management, and crop nutrition to our grower customers.
Deliver on field activities such as scouting and soil testing and communicate results effectively to grower customers.
Work with grower customers to proactively develop cropping and crop nutrition plans. Work to capture and advise on in-field data management.
Develop and deliver a proactive farm contact program with current and prospective grower customers, promoting Co-op Agro agronomic services and product lines.
Expand awareness of the agronomic knowledge of Co-op Grow Team through coordinating and delivering content at grower meetings or field tours.
Stay on top of developments in agronomy and ag technology, including digital and precision ag. Adopt and become proficient in Co-op Agro digital and precision ag platforms.
Provide valuable insight to your Co-op Agro team on product forecasting and setting sales targets. Meet or exceed sales and margin targets.
Work with your retail team to develop and deliver a marketing program to promote crop protection, seed/inoculant, and on-farm equipment to growers.
Proactively and effectively manage manufacturer programs.
Act as a facilitator regarding resolution of product performance inquiries within the shortest possible time frame.
General Health and Safety.
Continue both personal and professional development.
Why it matters:

Our Agro team helps to feed and grow Western Canadian communities by sourcing and distributing products and services to local Co-ops in the feed, crop supplies and fertilizer business.

Who you are:

You are looking for a career in Agriculture and:

You must be entering or already enrolled in a diploma or degree program in agriculture at an accredited post-secondary institution.
Candidates should be registered, or eligible for registration, with the respective provincial Professional Institute of Agrology
Certified Crop Advisor or willing to obtain would be an asset
You have the ability to work both independently and as a member of a highly motivated team.
You must be creative and resourceful; strong public speaking skills are an asset.
You’re honest and trustworthy, are results oriented and strive to be the best in what you do.
You believe in collaboration, building relationships and value the perspectives of others.
Application

You must be entering or already enrolled in a diploma or degree program at an accredited post-secondary institution. Applicants must submit the following:

Resume
Proof of enrolment in a post-secondary institution or conditional letter of acceptance
Transcript of academic record
Two letters of reference from a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, supervisor or mentor (with at least one being from a work supervisor)
500-word essay or video on one of the following options:
Co-operatives and their impact on local communities
The future of agriculture in Western Canada
The best coach or teacher you have had and what made them a great leader or mentor
Please note if you fail to attach all the required components of the application you may not be considered. Each application will be reviewed and vetted by a selection committee. Only finalists will be contacted for an interview.

If you have any questions about the Excellence in Ag Program, please contact excellenceinag@fcl.crs.

Apply by October 15, 2021.