Hensall Co-op is pleased to announce that applications are now open for our 2025 Bright Futures Scholarship. The purpose of the Hensall Co-op Bright Futures Scholarship is to provide post-secondary scholarships to students who have shown a career interest in agriculture or a field or trade that will advance rural communities and economies.

Three scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to students who are children or grandchildren of individuals who, as of March 1, 2025, were:

• A member of Hensall Co-op
• An employee of Hensall Co-op
• An individual with a controlling interest in an entity that was a member of Hensall Co-op

Full details and application are available here:

Application Form

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must complete an application and submit it to Hensall Co-op ([email protected]) by August 1, 2025.

Do you know a not-for-profit community-based initiative you think would benefit from a $10,000 grant from Hensall Co-op? We are introducing another year of our Strong Communities Initiative and are calling for applications for our 2025 program.

The key criteria are as follows:

• Application must be received from Canadian Community-based not for profit organizations in the Hensall Co-op trading area that support the broader rural community
• Funding of a project that will have a long term impact on the community (i.e., not for normal operations)
• Project has a clear and measurable benefit to the rural community
• The project fills a strong need in the rural community; not for the benefit of a single individual
• The organization has demonstrated that they can sustain the initiative to the end of the project
• Priority will be given to organizations that have not received a large scale sponsorship/donation from Hensall Co-op in the past 5 years
• Our employees have identified that Community Health and Healthy living are important to them, therefore, we will give priority to projects in the area of Health and Healthy living
• The organization must also be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a charity, have a bank account in its own name and have been operating for over 12 months

More details related to eligibility criteria are outlined in the application form which is available here:

Strong Communities Application

 The deadline for applications is May 31, 2025.

This week’s update highlights Brazil’s soybean harvest progress and weather, Argentina’s weather outlook, unshipped U.S. exports, and the long-term analysis of December corn and November soybean futures.

Watch Videos Here:

• Corn
• Soybeans

This week’s update covers a preview of Friday’s USDA Supply and Demand report, including a look at the historic price volatility this report has driven in the past. We also cover the latest on U.S. harvest progress and weather trends, updates on Brazil’s planting progress, U.S. export trends, and a review of December corn and November soybean futures.

Watch videos here:

• Corn
• Soybeans

Speaking with Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op: “I am thrilled to congratulate this year's Bright Futures Scholarship winners and am inspired by the number of talented students who applied. This overwhelming interest shows just how vital education is in our rural communities, and Hensall Co-op is eager to support the next generation of leaders.” Hensall Co-op is Proud to be Farmer Owned and proud to support education.

Marisa Huberts (Moorefield, ON) will be attending the University of Guelph for a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. As a future Agronomist, Marisa intends to apply her knowledge “directly to support Canadian farmers and the agricultural community.”

Attending Olds College for an Agriculture Management Diploma is Abby Pepper (Merlin, ON). With her education, Abby will equip herself with the “knowledge and skills necessary to address the challenges faced by farmers and contribute to sustainable agriculture practices.”

The third recipient is Lauren Hoonaard (South Huron, ON) who is attending the University of Guelph for a Bachelor of Commerce, with a focus on Food and Agriculture Business. Lauren is “excited to work in agriculture to help farmers grow high-yielding crops to help feed the ever-growing population.” She was a previous Hensall Co-op summer intern, which is another program aimed at supporting education in the agricultural industry.

Due to the unprecedented number of applications submitted, two additional grants were awarded this year. Matthew Peters will be attending Fanshawe College and will support his "rural community and Canadian agriculture by acquiring a diploma in cyber security and helping farmers and agri-businesses protect their data against cyber security threats.”

Additionally, David Webster (London, ON) is attending the Ontario Veterinary College to obtain his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. David plans to “work closely with farmers and livestock producers to improve animal health, increase productivity, and promote sustainable farming practices.”

The Hensall Co-op Bright Futures Scholarship provides post-secondary scholarships to students who have shown a career interest in agriculture or a field or trade that will advance rural communities. Up to three $2,500 scholarships are awarded to students who are children or grandchildren of individuals who were a member of Hensall Co-op or an employee, as of March 1 of the year of application.

Hensall Co-op and its employees are thrilled to announce the recipients of the fourth annual Hensall Co-op Strong Communities Initiative, a program dedicated to supporting initiatives that make a positive impact on rural communities. This year, two exceptional organizations have been chosen to receive grants totalling $20,000, with an additional $12,500 being split between 5 other well-deserving organizations.

The Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation, located in Palmerston, ON, has been selected as one of the grant recipients. They will receive $10,000 in funding to aid in purchasing an MRI machine. This initiative will bring much-needed high-quality healthcare services to the residents of Palmerston and the surrounding communities, ensuring they have access to healthcare of the highest standard.

Additionally, the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation located in Clinton, ON, has been granted $10,000 to purchase an ophthalmic chair. This piece of equipment will allow rural residents to receive care in their community following cataract surgery without having to travel long distances.

Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op, expressed his enthusiasm for these grants: “We received many applications showcasing the needs of rural communities. Hensall Co-op is honoured to support organizations that are essential to our communities."

With the strong need in rural communities, Hensall Co-op has also awarded each of the following organizations a $2,500 grant:

• Corbett Community Centre – Enhancement Project (Parkhill, ON)
• Brookside Public School – Playground Enhancement Project (Lucknow, ON)
• Wingham & District Hospital Foundation – CT Scanner (Wingham, ON)
• Portage Junk Yard Dogs Inc. – Hiking, Tobogganing, and Biking Park (Portage la Prairie, MB)
• Hanover Parks – Community Splash Pad Development (Hanover, ON)

The Hensall Co-op Strong Communities Initiative seeks to provide one-time grants to projects that address critical needs within communities, with a particular focus on initiatives aligned with Community Health and Healthy Living. Grants of $10,000 are awarded to projects completed by not-for-profit entities that are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as charities and have been in operation for over 12 months.

Hensall Co-op remains committed to strengthening rural communities across Canada and looks forward to witnessing the positive impact of these grants on all communities awarded.

Hensall Co-op is happy to announce that our 5th annual Photo Contest is now open for submissions. We encourage customers, members, and employees to enter!

Prizes:

• First Place: Custom Hensall Co-op TailGaterz Cooler (70 Quart with wheels, $620 value)

• Runner Up: $150 in each category

Categories:

• Farm Life
• Fun on the Farm
• Farm Innovation
• Friends and Faces on the Farm
• We Grow Together (Hensall Co-op theme)
• Hensall Co-op on the Move

Eligibility:

• All entries must be images taken in Canada
• Entrants must own the rights to the image(s) they submit
• The contest is open to all members, customers and employees of Hensall Co-op

Entry Form

Contest Rules

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024.

Please send any questions to [email protected].

Hensall, ON, Canada, November 15, 2023 - Hensall Co-op, a farmer-owned and fully independent agricultural co-operative, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Minn-Dak Growers Ltd. (Minn-Dak). This strategic move brings together two prominent entities in the North American specialty crop market. 

For over five decades, Minn-Dak has been a pioneer in processing and marketing specialty crops from the Upper Great Plains—the region comprising Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota—and beyond. Operating from well-established facilities in Grand Forks, ND; Donaldson, MN; and Dickinson, ND, Minn-Dak supplies high-quality mustard and buckwheat ingredients to the global food industry. Their distinctive, tailor-made processes and integrated research and development approach have led to the creation of unparalleled products. 

Jeremy Peterson, Vice President of Minn-Dak, reflected on the company's legacy, stating, "Harris Peterson, my grandfather, founded Minn-Dak with a vision to cultivate a market for local farmers. The acquisition by Hensall Co-op aligns seamlessly with our commitment to creating value-added opportunities for specialty crop farmers, ensuring the continuation of his vision." 

This acquisition promises a smooth transition for Minn-Dak's growers and customers. Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, "We eagerly anticipate partnering with the Minn-Dak team, combining our expertise to provide growers with an expanded portfolio of value-added crop opportunities. Minn-Dak's research focus aligns seamlessly with our strategy to enter new markets with customized products, fostering growth in existing markets and broadening Hensall Co-op’s global footprint.” 

For further information about Hensall Co-op and the acquisition of Minn-Dak Growers Ltd., kindly visit our website at www.hensallco-op.ca or contact us at 519-262-3511 ext. 243.

Speaking with Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op: “We would like to congratulate the winners of the Bright Futures Scholarships. Hensall Co-op values community and personal growth which is why the Bright Futures Scholarships allows us to directly impact and support the education of our members’ families.” Hensall Co-op is Proud to be Farmer Owned and proud to support education.

Abigail Peel (Turnberry Township, ON) will be attending the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering Co-op program. As an engineer, Abigail hopes to “take on leadership roles and act as an advocate for small communities, ensuring that we are taken just as seriously as the bigger cities when it comes to environmental issues.”

Attending University of Guelph (Ridgetown Campus), Nicole Vermue (Bluewater Township, ON) will be working towards an Associate Diploma in Agriculture. Nicole hopes to “help the agricultural community in the future to help teach the younger generations by volunteering and helping with fundraisers that involve agriculture and aid the growth of agriculture within my community.”

The third recipient is Saarah Amir (Bluewater Township, ON), who will be attending the University of Ottawa for a Bachelor of Health Science Honours to “become a doctor and further progress medical research and treatments in rural and underdeveloped communities.”

The Hensall Co-op Bright Futures Scholarship provides post-secondary scholarships to students who are entering their first year of post-secondary education and have shown a career interest in agriculture or a field or trade that will advance rural communities and economies. Up to three $2,500 scholarships are awarded to students who are children or grandchildren of individuals who were a member of Hensall Co-op or an employee, as of March 1 of the year of application.

Hensall Co-op and its employees are thrilled to announce the recipients of the third annual Hensall Co-op Strong Communities Initiative, a program dedicated to supporting initiatives that make a positive impact on rural communities. This year, two exceptional organizations have been chosen to receive the top grants totaling $20,000, with an additional $10,000 being split between 5 well deserving organizations.

The Portage District General Hospital Foundation, located in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, has been selected as one of the grant recipients. They will receive $10,000 in funding to aid in the ongoing development of a state-of-the-art hospital. This initiative will bring much-needed high-quality healthcare services to the residents of Portage la Prairie and the surrounding communities, ensuring that they have access to healthcare of the highest standard.

Additionally, the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, based in Goderich, Ontario, has been granted $10,000 to support Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. MHFA equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to promote a better understanding of mental health. This training will empower community members to effectively respond to mental health crises, fostering a healthier and more supportive environment for all.

Brad Chandler, CEO of Hensall Co-op, expressed his enthusiasm for these grants: "We received an overwhelming number of applications that highlighted the pressing need for funding in rural communities. Hensall Co-op is both proud and honoured to give back to organizations that play a vital role in supporting our members, customers, and communities."

With the strong need in the community, Hensall Co-op has also awarded each of the following organizations with a $2,000 grant:

• Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation – MRI Campaign (Palmerston, ON)
• Municipality of Arran-Elderslie – New Paisley Firehall (Chelsey, ON)
• Tanner Steffler Foundation – TSF Youth Hub (Clinton, ON)
• Koko Platz Recreation Club – Clubhouse Rebuild (Portage la Prairie, MB)
• Seaforth Community Hospital Foundation – StepOne machine (Seaforth, ON)

The Hensall Co-op Strong Communities Initiative seeks to provide one-time grants to projects that address critical needs within communities, with a particular focus on initiatives aligned with Community Health and Healthy Living. Grants of $10,000 are awarded to projects completed by not-for-profit entities that are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as charities and have been in operation for over 12 months.

Hensall Co-op remains committed to strengthening rural communities across Canada and looks forward to witnessing the positive impact of these grants on the Portage la Prairie and Goderich communities.