WYOMING, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2014) - Seventeen year-old Matthew Gerrits of Wyoming was named the Ontario provincial winner of the 2014 GROWMARK essay contest for high school students who are members of 4-H. The theme of this year's contest was "Promoting Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources."
In his contest entry, Matthew said: "The farmer has always existed for the consumer, and now it is not just about the quantity of the food, but the food's story. Sustainability is a gigantic market, and farmers see sustainability as not only thinking of the environment, but seeing the opportunities that it can provide in shedding a positive light on agriculture worldwide."
As the contest winner, Gerrits received a $500 award from GROWMARK and his 4-H Association (Middlesex County) receives an additional $300 to help support future programs in his local community.
This is the third year for the program in Ontario, but the 21st year for the program in the United States, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member co-operatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. The essay contest was designed to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues in agriculture, and understand the unique role of co-operatives.
GROWMARK is a regional co-operative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in Ontario and the United States. GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated FS member co-operatives.
Visit: www.growmark.com/OurCommitments/Pages/4-H-Ontario-Essay to read Gerrits full essay.
Photo of Winner Available Upon Request.
Contact Information:
Janice Johnson
519-895-4251
jajohnson@growmark.com