Celebrating the 2025 Keith Gilmore scholars

Each year, the Keith Gilmore Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding young individuals who are shaping the future of Canadian agriculture, with a special focus on those passionate about the Hereford breed.

Established in honour of the late Keith Gilmore—longtime editor and publisher of The Canadian Hereford Digest—the foundation recognizes his lasting impact on agricultural journalism, the Hereford breed, and the beef cattle industry. Since 1987, its scholarships have supported students pursuing careers in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and agricultural communications.

Among the 2025 recipients are two Albertans — Jane Stafford and Wyatt Magneson — who stand out among nine exceptional award winners for their dedication, innovation, and deep connection to the land and livestock.

Hereford Youth Scholarships – $2,500 each

• Jane Stafford — Alberta
  From southern Alberta, Jane is in her second year of Animal Science Technology at Lakeland College, majoring in beef. With aspirations of becoming an agricultural educator, she’s passionate about connecting urban youth with the realities of farm life and ensuring the next generation understands the value of agriculture.

• Katie Cox — Ontario
  A second-year Agriculture Management student at Olds College, Katie has grown up immersed in Hereford cattle. Her goal is to become a beef cattle nutritionist, specializing in practical, breed-specific feed solutions that balance sustainability and performance.

• Olivia Avery — Ontario
  Currently studying at the University of Guelph, Olivia blends hands-on farm experience with academic ambition. She’s aiming for a career in veterinary medicine or animal nutrition. As Vice President of the Ontario Junior Hereford Association, she’s a longtime advocate for herd health, genetics, and youth leadership in the livestock sector.

• Luke Germain — Saskatchewan
  An Animal Bioscience student at the University of Saskatchewan, Luke is a passionate cattleman already raising his own herd of purebred Herefords. Motivated by the lack of local veterinary services, he plans to return home after vet school to support rural producers and strengthen his community’s livestock sector.

Trade Worker Bursaries – $2,500 each

• Wyatt Magneson — Alberta
  A second-year Heavy Equipment Technician apprentice, Wyatt combines a love of mechanics with deep agricultural roots. His goal is to keep farms running smoothly while expanding his own Hereford herd — supporting agriculture from both the shop floor and the pasture.

• Georgia Pawlitza — Saskatchewan
  Currently studying nursing at Casper College in Wyoming, Georgia previously earned degrees in Animal Science and Health Science. With strong ties to the SJHA and CJHA, and a small herd of her own, she remains committed to both the healthcare and agricultural needs of rural communities.

Keith Gilmore Prize for Beef Innovation – $10,000

• Codee Koplechuk — Saskatchewan
  From a fourth-generation ranch to the global stage of Hereford competition, Codee’s journey is defined by her drive to unite science and tradition. A South Dakota State University alum, she’s dedicated to data-driven breed improvements through genetics, EPDs, and nutrition. Her future plans include graduate studies and outreach roles that connect breeders with innovative solutions —and each other.

Future of the Breed Scholarship -$1,000

• Heidi McFadden — Ontario
  An entrepreneurial leader and advocate for youth education, Heidi is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Food and Agricultural Business at the University of Guelph. A key figure in the Canadian Junior Hereford Association, she’s already made an impact through events like Bonanza 2023 and her ag-tech start-up, ProBot, which introduces Ontario youth to coding and innovation. Heidi represents a bold new generation committed to sustainable food systems and breed advancement.

ABP congratulates all of this year’s recipients and looks forward to seeing the incredible contributions they will make to our industry and communities!