Pursue your creative idea and add professional skills to your resume!

Funding is available to support OAC students in the completion of self-directed communication projects focused on agriculture or food extension. Successful applicants will receive $1,350 to complete their project, as well as coaching and mentorship from the OAC Dean’s Office communications staff.

Projects must be focused on knowledge extension in the areas of food and/or agriculture and be connected to the research/teaching activities of the Ontario Agricultural College. The projects will be student-driven under the guidance of the OAC Dean’s Office communications staff.

It is expected each project will require 40 hours of work and must be completed by December 20, 2022.

Samples of previous projects:

• Video: Social Media: Tools for Agricultural Extension - YouTube [1]
• Book: https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/system/files/Agriculture Izz Everywhere_AODA.pdf [2]
• Research fact sheet: https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/sites/uoguelph.ca.oac/files/Improving-locomotion-skills-in-laying-hens.pdf [3]
• Podcast episode: Stream Episode 1: How can food treat cancer? by The Why & How Podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud [4]
• Online article: Meet Ontario's Pollinators | Ontario Agricultural College (uoguelph.ca) [5]

How to Apply

• Applicants are asked to submit a 1-page proposal detailing:
  • Topic/idea/focus and intended audience (must be specific, ie. high school students, home cooks, chefs, crop farmers)
  • The communication media/platform/outlet/tools you’d like to use
  • Intended outcome of the project
  • How you’d promote the project to the intended audience
• Applicants must be enrolled in an OAC associate diploma, undergraduate or graduate program
• 1-page proposals should be emailed to scraig02@uoguelph.ca [6]
• Application deadline is September 26, 2022

Project Selection Criteria

• Is there a clear goal and audience for the project?
• Is the proposal/idea unique? Is an existing knowledge gap addressed?
• Has inclusivity and accessibility been considered in project content and delivery?
• Is it achievable within 40 hours of work?
• Is there a clear vision for execution, delivery and promotion?

Funding and Support

Two (2) student projects will be selected to receive an award of $1,350. Funding is provided by the W.S. (Stan) Young Memorial Grant through the OAC Alumni Foundation. Projects will be owned by the students, but there will be oversight by the communications staff in the OAC Dean’s Office. This is due to the nature and requirements of the named endowment that funds the projects.

The “W.S. (Stan) Young Memorial Fund” was established by friends and family to support students in the development of professional communication skills that have a positive impact on the agriculture and food industry and the Ontario Agricultural College.