Education Awards 2024

WestGen is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 WestGen Education Awards. Each of these selected students will receive $2000 to assist them with their post-secondary agriculture studies. The selection committee was extremely pleased with the quality of applicants this year, and encourages those not selected to apply again next year. Supporting youth and the development of the Western Canadian cattle industry are mandates of WestGen’s Endowment Fund, and we look forward to watching these students become successful in each of their chosen career paths.

Vanessa Tuytel

I would like to thank WestGen for its commitment to supporting students pursuing careers in agriculture. I am from Chilliwack, BC, where my family operates a poultry and dairy farm. Growing up on the farm sparked my passion for agriculture and livestock health and inspired my goal of becoming a veterinarian. To pursue this interest, I earned certification as a Dairy Production Technician through the Youth Work in Trades Program and attended the University of the Fraser Valley, where I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2023. I am currently a second-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK. After completing my veterinary degree, I plan to return to BC to practice and contribute to the agricultural industry. I am honored to receive the WestGen Education Award and sincerely grateful for the support.

Nicole Verhoef

I farm with my family at Happy Cow Dairy. I am currently attending Lakeland College where I hope to complete my Animal Science Diploma with a major in Dairy this year, and plan on getting a second Diploma in Agribusiness. I am currently on the SMF team at Lakeland where I am the Genetic Reproduction Coordinator. I have a big passion for genetics and herd improvement and am enjoying growing these skills with my peers. I am beyond grateful to Westgen for this opportunity and am excited to see where the future brings me!

Natalie Boonstoopel

I would like to thank WestGen for choosing me as a recipient of their Education Award, which will help support my passion for the dairy industry. I was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Scotch Lake, New Brunswick until the spring of 2015 when my family sold and bought a larger dairy farm in Grunthal, Manitoba. I found my passion for the dairy industry by working at home on the family farm and through my involvement in 4-H and the Western Canadian Classic. Currently, I am in my third year of a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness at the University of Saskatchewan. After graduation, I hope to explore international agriculture practices, potentially working on a dairy farm in New Zealand or another country. My long-term goal is to continue working in agriculture and one day own a dairy farm of my own.

Kyona Bruns

I am deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the WestGen Education Award. Growing up on a small dairy farm in Mara, BC, I was immersed in the agricultural industry from a young age. My involvement in the local 4-H club, participation in WCC, and volunteering at my local veterinary clinic further nurtured my passion for animals and instilled values of hard work and community. These formative experiences inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine with the goal of giving back to the agricultural community.

I began my academic journey with a Bachelor of Animal Science from Thompson Rivers University, which paved the way for my current path as a third-year veterinary student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. As a future veterinarian, I aspire to apply my knowledge and practical skills to support animals, producers, and the industry through evidence-based solutions, improved management practices, and a commitment to animal welfare and sustainability.

This award will greatly support my educational journey and help me achieve my goals. Thank you for investing in my future and for your dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders in Canadian agriculture.