GUELPH ' Amanda Vandenberk, a second-year Honours Math student at Wilfrid Laurier University, is the first recipient of a new annual scholarship from Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program. The $500 Scholarship was established in memory of the late Martin Streef.Vandenberk, from Parkhill, has been active with the Parkhill Fall Fair, acting as Ambassador in 2008. She is also a Level 2 Hockey referee, provides Red Cross training services, teaches swimming lessons and works part-time on her parent's hog farm. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a math teacher and hopes to work in a rural high school.As part of the scholarship nomination, each applicant was required to provide a short essay to answer the question "Why are you passionate about agriculture in Canada?" Amanda's response focuses on her concern about the lack of youth involvement in the agricultural industry."If we could get them excited about all of the really neat things that are happening in agriculture today, we would see a growing trend of students choosing agriculture as their career path," she wrote. "The possibilities are endless!"Amanda will officially receive her scholarship at the OYF Ontario regional banquet on March 30 in Belleville.Martin Streef, operator of a fresh fruit and vegetable business in Woodstock, was recognized in 1996 as both Ontario's and Canada's Outstanding Young Farmer. He died in April, 2008.The application deadline for the 2010 OYF Memorial Scholarship is June 30. Full details and application forms are available at www.oyfontario.ca .