Saskatchewan woman receives 4-H Canada L.E.A.D scholarship

Nov 01, 2022

4-H Canada's 2022 Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (L.E.A.D) have been announced.

The program recognizes outstanding 4-H’ers who show 4-H values in the way they live their lives.

Each L.E.A.D. recipient receives a $20,000 scholarship for higher education, an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 4-H Leadership Awards, ongoing mentorship from an expert in their field of study and the opportunity to be a 4-H L.E.A.D. spokesperson.

Four L.E.A.D. recipients are selected each year, one for each of 4-H Canada’s Leadership Development pillars.

This year's recipients include Ava Copas (NS), Community Engagement & Communications Pillar; Aidan Reynolds (NB), Science & Technology Pillar; Elena Sales (BC), Environment & Healthy Living Pillar
Kate Axten (SK), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security Pillar.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.