Peter Jennen of Thamesville, Ont. and Scott Thom of Denfield, Ont. are the 2016 winners of the Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship, allowing them to attend the CTEAM program.
CTEAM stands for Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management, and is managed by Agri-food Management Excellence (AME). During the program, farmers learn detailed financial, marketing and human relations management skills, using their own operation as a case study.
Robert (Bob) Ross was instrumental in guiding the CTEAM program, inspiring and encouraging farm management excellence across Canada through his leadership and passion for the agricultural community. Bob fought a courageous battle with cancer, passing in March 2014.
As a tribute to his passion, leadership and legacy, Agri-Food Management Excellence, Farm Management Canada, Family Farms Group and the Ross Family, along with an additional private contributor, established the Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship program, rewarding two farmers with the opportunity to participate in the CTEAM program and continue on a path towards excellence, as inspired by Canada’s leading experts and a one-of-a-kind support network of peers and colleagues.
About the Winners:
Peter Jennen, along with his wife and three children, farm over 700 acres near Thamesville, Ont. They operate a diversified farm, cultivating a variety of crops (including processing tomatoes, pepper, strawberries, corn and soybeans) while managing an on-farm retail market. The farm employs 15 people during the busy season. The operation is very progressive, and the family has received an award for the installation of high tunnels over their strawberry plants to extend the growing season. By taking CTEAM, Peter hopes to gain the skills and knowledge to better deal with issues and opportunities in markets, products marketing plans, risk management and relationships.
Scott Thom, not having a farming background grew up in town. He began farming modestly, initially raising 300 pigs on straw in an old rented barn. He then built a new state of the art barn in the fall of 2015. Scott has purchased another farm and now has over 13,000 pigs on feed. Scott wants to attend CTEAM so that he can learn to better understand his financial position and use that knowledge to build a plan and foundation for the future of his operation.
About Agri-Food Management Excellence Inc.
Agri-Food Management Excellence (AME) is inspired by empowering people to realize their goals. We empower farmers, ranchers and other agribusiness professionals through leading edge courses delivered in an unconventional format. It is Canada’s only national farm management learning program.
About Farm Management Canada
Farm Management Canada is a national umbrella for farm business management activity and the only organization dedicated exclusively to the development and delivery of advanced business management information, tools and resources to position Canada’s farmers for success.
About Family Farms Group
Family Farms Group is a network of family farm operators, agricultural experts and suppliers working together to preserve the legacy of family farms. Their network provides knowledge, training, and connections to help your farm grow and compete in an increasingly consolidated industry.
For more information contact:
Agri-Food Management Excellence
Heather Broughton, Principal
Phone: 780 781 2840
Email: [email protected]
Larry Martin, Principal
Phone: 519 841 1698
Email: [email protected]
Heather Watson, Executive Director
Phone: 613 237 9060 ext. 31
Email: [email protected]