Hensall Co-op Provides Scholarships to Seven Deserving Students

Hensall Co-op is proud to announce the seven post-secondary students that will receive our Bright Futures Scholarships for the 2026 school year. Each recipient will receive $2,500 to be used towards their education in agriculture or a field or trade that will advance rural communities and economies. 

“We received a number of outstanding applications. Each applicant showcases how deeply education is valued in our rural communities.” said Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op, “The future of agriculture is in the hands of the next generation. These individuals are a pivotal part of our rural communities and the overall Canadian economy. We support their education and look forward to seeing how they grow the field long into the future.” 

2026 Bright Futures Scholarship Recipients

Abby Pepper (Merlin, ON)

Attending: Olds College in Alberta, studying Agribusiness

Hayley Davidson (Central Huron, ON)

Attending: Laurentian University, studying for her Bachelor of Architectural Studies. 

Jaden Dietrich (South Huron, ON)

Attending: University of Guelph and working towards her Agricultural Diploma

Makenna Coutts (Chatham, ON)

Attending: University of Guelph, working towards her Associate Diploma in Agriculture

Natasha Van Straaten (Perth East, ON)

Attending: University of Guelph, studying Neuroscience through the Department of Biological Science.

Olivia Terpstra (Huron East, ON)

Attending: University of Guelph and working towards her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Tyler Boven (Central Huron, ON)

Attending: University of Guelph and working towards her Agricultural Diploma

Congratulations to each of the successful 2026 Hensall Co-op Bright Futures Scholarship recipients. Thank you for choosing to get an education in the field of Agriculture. 

This week we highlight harvest progress and weather trends. We will also look at Brazil planting progress and US Exports.  Additionally we will review December Corn & November Soybean Futures.

Watch videos here:

Corn
Soybean

Celebrating Co-op Week

Farm Families Feeding Families

At Hensall Co-op, being a co-operative means more than doing business together. It means farm families supporting families and strengthening the communities we call home.

This Co-op Week, October 11–17, 2026, Hensall Co-op is proud to launch Farm Families Feeding Families, an initiative recognizing the important role our growers play in feeding families while supporting families with children receiving medical care.

Hensall Co-op is contributing more than $5,000 to support families in need with our comittment to Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario (RMH SWO) in London. Funding is through the Dinner Group Volunteer Experiences that will provide meals for families staying at the House while their children receive medical care.

The connection is simple, but meaningful:

• Farmers grow the food.
• Hensall Co-op connects it to families and consumers around the world.
• Together, we help feed and support families when they need it most.

The Story Starts in Our Growers' Fields

Every day, Hensall Co-op growers produce food that reaches families across Canada and around the world. To help tell that story during Co-op Week, a limited number of Unico bean cans will be available beginning, October 9 at participating Hensall Co-op locations.

Unico is one of Hensall Co-op's end-use customers, and these cans represent the journey that begins in growers' fields and ends with food on a family's table.

Participating Locations

Ontario:
Ailsa Craig • Aylmer (Crops) • Brussels • Clinton • Drayton • Greenway • Harrow • Hensall • Kurtzville • Lakeside • Londesborough • Mitchell • Seaforth • Tilbury • Westfield

Manitoba:
Bloom • Miami

Join Farm Families Feeding Families

Participating is easy:

1. Pick up a can of Unico beans at a participating Hensall Co-op location.
2. Take a photo showing what Farm Families Feeding Families means to you.
3. Post your photo on Facebook, Instagram or X and tag Hensall Co-op.

You can enter every day during Co-op Week.

Don't have a can of Unico beans? You can still participate. Take a photo with something displaying the Hensall Co-op logo — a hat, sign, location, product or anything else that represents our co-operative community.

Four Winners – Four Opportunities to Give Back

Following Co-op Week, four winning entries will be selected.

Each winner will have the opportunity to bring ten people to Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario in London for a Dinner Group Volunteer Experience.

The four experiences will take place on:

November 20 • November 21 • December 5 • December 6

During the experience, participants will:

• Tour Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario;
• Work alongside the Wellness & Nutrition team;
• Prepare a meal for families staying at the House; and
• Spend time together giving back to families during a challenging time in their lives.

Ronald McDonald House provides the menu, ingredients and equipment. Participants simply bring their group and a willingness to help.

All attendees must be 16 years of age or older.
Location: Ronald McDonald House Southwestern Ontario, 741 Base Line Road East, London, Ontario.

Farmers Helping Families

From beans grown in our growers' fields to meals prepared for families staying at Ronald McDonald House, Farm Families Feeding Families represents what being a co-operative is all about.

It connects the work of our growers with Hensall Co-op's commitment to the communities we serve and reminds us that agriculture is ultimately about people and families.

This Co-op Week, we celebrate our farmers, our communities and the difference we can make together. Farm Families Feeding Families

Grown by farm families. Supporting families in need.

Photo Examples

If you have questions, please contact:

Nickey Cornelis

[email protected]

Member and Customer Service Associate

Direct Line: 519‑262‑3511  x.357

It has been a guiding principle of Hensall Co-op to give back where we can, when we can. 2026 marks the sixth year we have done this. Through our Strong Communities Initiative we have infused more than $180,000.00 into not-for-profit organizations that support rural communities. 

Our teams of employees throughout Ontario and Manitoba are proud of our ability to continue providing funds to the community groups and organizations that support projects that meet important needs. This year our funding will be distributed to organizations that support youth, health and wellness, increase access to food for all, and needed upgrades. 

Hensall Co-op CEO Brad Chandler states: 

“We received an unprecedented number of applications for our Strong Communities Initiative this year and were able to provide funding to six not-for-profit organizations in Ontario and Manitoba totalling $30,000.00. The need to continue to support individuals and groups that are stepping up is something we hope to be able to continue to do for as long as possible.” 

Of the funds distributed through the Strong Communities Initiative, two recipients received $10,000.00 towards their projects. These were Carman Wellness Connections in Carman, Manitoba and Stephen Central Public School in the Municipality of South Huron, Ontario. 

The Carman Wellness Connections will use the funds received to renovate, furnish and transition their offices and community programming from current location to a central, accessible multifunctional space on Main Street in Carman this year. 

Carman Wellness Connections provides access to residents in Carman, Manitoba to health, social services, income and housing support. Consistently the centre receives 100 community visits per month and provides coordinated services from 10 local partner agencies. 

The $10,000.00 will be used to purchase multi-purpose modular tables and boardroom for meetings or small gatherings. Shelving and furnishings to create an inviting, safe space for community members seeking resources and supports. 

Stephen Central Public School is receiving $10,000.00 to be used towards their playground replacement project. Last year the school was advised that the existing playground structures needed to be removed due to age. With funding from multiple sources, the school grounds will be able to replace and improve the equipment available at the school including the addition of accessible equipment. 

Stephen Central Public School was built in 1966 in the southern part of Huron County, Ontario and serves the surrounding rural community. The school offers classes for children in kindergarten till grade 6. 

The four additional organizations received $2,500.00 each towards their projects: 

• Mitchell Ag Society – It’s Ok Not to be Ok (Mitchell, ON) 

• Ailsa Craig Food Bank – Phase 2 of Ailsa Craig Foodbank (Ailsa Craig, ON) 

• Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation – Funds for addition of MRI at hospital (Goderich, ON) 

• Glenboro Agricultural Society – Community Hall Projector and Screen (Glenboro, MB) 

At Hensall Co-op, we remain committed to supporting those dedicated individuals and organizations supporting our rural communities. We look forward to learning more about the positive impact the funds will have on each of the supported projects. 

We would also like to thank all applicants for applying and continuing to strive to make things better. The work and dedication of all our not-for-profit organizations are seen, needed and appreciated. 

In this week’s market update, Brian covers:

• Crop Conditions

• Weather Trends

• Exports

• Review of December Corn & November Soybean Futures

Watch videos here:

• Corn
• Soybeans

Are you interested in helping shape the future of Hensall Co-op?

Hensall Co-op is seeking nominations for three (3) Director positions to be elected at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

We encourage members to consider serving on the Board or to nominate a fellow member who demonstrates strong leadership, sound business judgment, and a commitment to the long-term success of our farmer-owned cooperative.

Key Dates

• Nomination Deadline: October 15, 2026
• Annual General Meeting & Election: November 18, 2026

Under the Co-operative's bylaws, all nominations must be submitted by October 15, 2026. Nominations cannot be accepted from the floor during the AGM.

Who Can Nominate?

Any Hensall Co-op member in good standing may nominate a qualified candidate.

Nomination forms are available online, and paper copies are also available upon request.

Nomination Form

If you have questions or require assistance with the nomination process, please contact:

Sylvie Atwell

Membership and Credit Manager

[email protected]

519.262.3511 ext. 262

We encourage members to become involved in the governance of Hensall Co-op and help guide the future of your cooperative.

Your leadership. Your voice. Your Co-op.

In this week’s market update, Brian covers:

• Crop Conditions and Weather
• Brazil Harvest
• Export Trends
• Review of December Corn & November Soybean Futures

Watch videos here:

• Corn
• Soybeans

In this week’s market update, Brian covers:

• Historical Price Changes associated with the July WASDE
• Crop Conditions and Weather Trends
• Brazil Harvest
• Export Trends
• Review of December Corn & November Soybean Futures

Watch videos here:

• Corn
• Soybeans

In this week’s market update, Brian covers:

• Price Changes Associated with the June 30th USDA Report

• Crop Conditions and Weather Trends

• Brazil Harvest

• Export Trends

• Review of December Corn & November Soybean Futures

Watch videos here:

• Corn

• Soybeans

In this week’s market update, Brian covers:

• Preview of the USDA Report

• U.S. Crop Conditions and Weather Trends

• Brazil Crop Progress

• Export Trends

• Review of December Corn & November Soybean Futures

Watch videos here:

• Corn

• Soybeans