Today’s youth are our agricultural leaders of tomorrow

 

Agriculture university and college students come together with sponsors at AWC!

Two things make the AWC Student program successful:

  1. Students who are excited about starting their career path with a blast of inspiration, some great direction, and a network of leaders at their fingertips.
  2. Industry leaders who will join us in sponsoring and supporting these students and future leaders, giving them the opportunity to attend AWC and reap the benefits.

AWC matches students from agricultural degree and diploma programs across Canada with companies looking to invest in future leaders!

Would you like to sponsor a student to attend AWC?

Leading associations and agribusiness can take pride in supporting these young women and making this opportunity possible. That is what AWC has in store for you.

Call us at 403-686-8407 or email iris@irismeck.com

Are you a student that would like to apply for Sponsorship?

The AWC EAST 2026 Student Application deadline OCTOBER 15, 2026. Complete the registration form below. Thank you to our students—we can’t wait to meet you at the conference!

Applicants + Sponsors

Applicants + Sponsors

Student EAST 2026 Application

AWC EAST 2026

Today’s youth are out agricultural leaders of tomorrow

University and college students studying agriculture and food are encouraged to submit an application to be sponsored to attend the upcoming AWC conference to connect with industry leaders and other students, and hone their leadership skills.

What does Sponsorship cover?

If you are selected to attend the conference, Student Sponsorship covers:

  • Two nights shared accommodations (Sunday and Monday) at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls, ON (contact Iris to discuss if you are coming from outside Ontario.)
  • Your Registration Fee to attend AWC EAST 2026 conference (including workshops, plenary sessions, reception, banquet, breakfasts, lunches and networking coffee breaks)

What is the Student responsible for?

  • Students are responsible for all travel-related and additional expenses incurred, je meals on Sunday. Please plan for this expense prior to submitting your application.
  • If required, students should get permission/approval from university and college personnel to attend.
  • It is mandatory that sponsored students attend the entire conference. Failure to do so could result in sponsorship being revoked. If sponsorship is revoked, the student will be required to pay all expenses incurred.
  • No application will be accepted after the deadline date.

Apply for Sponsorship Online

To complete this form (in addition to your contact information), you will need the following items:

  • Your Department Head name and contact information.
  • A description of your background, education, and previous work experience (1-2 paragraphs)
  • A description of why you are interested in attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference and how you hope the program will benefit your career objective (1-2 paragraphs)
  • A video posted to YouTube, under three minutes in length. in the video, describe your background, area of study, career plans, and why you think attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference will be of benefit to your career objective.
  • A ‘Profile Photo’ (headshot-head and shoulders, colour photo suitable for publishing). The photo must be at least 250K in file size, to a maximum of 20MB.

*You will not be able to save your form progress – it’s ideal to fill out the form when you have these items ready to submit.*

Deadline for student application as October 15, 2026. Space is limited, applications will be accepted on a first-come basis.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
*Note: Your name will be posted on the AWC Website*
Permanent Address*
Temporary Address
Dept. Head / Institution Address*
Please describe your background, education, and previous work experience:
Please explain why you are interested in attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference and how you hope the program will benefit your career objective:
Please provide an application video (3-minute maximum, posted to YouTube). In the video, describe your background, area of study, career plans, and why you think attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference will be of benefit to your career objective. *This video will be posted on the AWC Website*. Provide YouTube video link here:
Please provide a photograph (head and shoulders, colour photo suitable for publishing). The photo must be at least 250K in file size, to a maximum of 20MB. *This image will be used in AWC printed materials*.
Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Terms of Agreement*

Student EAST 2026

Dakota Slywka

University of Saskatchewan, Last Year, Animal Science

I am currently pursuing my education in agriculture with a strong interest in animal nutrition and livestock production. Throughout my education, I have developed a particular interest in the relationship between nutrition, animal performance, production efficiency, and the economic decisions producers make every day. I enjoy problem-solving and working with numbers, particularly when it comes to balancing diets, evaluating production goals, and finding practical solutions that can improve outcomes for both animals and producers. My long-term goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in animal nutrition and build a career as an animal nutritionist.

My work experience has provided me with a broad understanding of agriculture and the importance of communication, responsibility, and working directly with people. I have gained experience working in agricultural and rural environments, including ranch and livestock-related settings, as well as customer-service and business roles. These experiences have strengthened my ability to work independently, communicate with a wide range of people, and understand the practical challenges faced by those working in agriculture. I hope to continue combining my academic knowledge with hands-on experience as I build a career within the agriculture industry.

I am interested in attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference because I want to learn from women who are actively contributing to and shaping the future of agriculture. As I prepare to pursue graduate studies in animal nutrition, I believe that exposure to a diverse group of agricultural professionals, researchers, producers, and industry leaders would provide valuable insight into the many career opportunities available within the industry. I am especially interested in developing my leadership and professional skills while building relationships with women who have navigated careers in agriculture and can offer different perspectives and experiences.

Attending the conference would help me take an important step toward my career goal of becoming an animal nutritionist. I hope to gain knowledge that I can bring into my graduate studies, develop a stronger professional network, and become more confident in communicating my ideas and expertise within the agriculture industry. I also want to learn how other women have built successful careers in agriculture and identify ways that I can contribute to the industry in the future. I see this opportunity as a chance not only to advance my own career, but also to grow into a professional who can provide practical, science-based solutions that help producers meet their animal health, production, and economic goals.

Jing Xiong

University of Alberta, PhD Student, Food Science and Technology

I am an international PhD student in Food Science at the University of Alberta. Growing up in the countryside of Hubei Province, China, where my family cultivated a small plot of land to grow our own vegetables, I developed a deep, natural affinity for agriculture and plant science from an early age. Driven by this interest, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering at Hubei University of Technology, building a solid foundation in microbiology and industrial fermentation.

In my final undergraduate year, I was honored to receive a full scholarship to come to the University of Alberta, initially studying in the Department of Physiology. However, through my coursework and research, I realized that my true calling lay in applied science—research with direct, real-world utility that meaningfully benefits the industry. This conviction led me to transition my major to Food Science.

Today, my PhD research focuses on developing advanced detection methods for major foodborne pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). I am deeply passionate about bridging cutting-edge methodology with practical food safety challenges, and I am eager to dedicate my career to advancing this field.

As a fourth-year PhD student who transitioned into Food Science a year ago, I am at a pivotal stage in shaping my post-graduation career. Discovering the Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference was deeply inspiring—it is the first conference I have encountered that specifically brings together women across the agriculture and food sector. I look forward to hearing about the experiences and career journeys of women in the field and gaining perspectives that I cannot gain through academic training alone.

I am particularly eager to attend AWC to broaden my perspective on current industry priorities and better understand how academic research can connect with real-world food safety challenges. Furthermore, I look forward to networking, exchanging ideas, and building meaningful connections with peers and industry professionals.

Although my journey in Food Science is relatively recent, my commitment to bridging research and practical application is strong. I hope AWC will provide me with valuable perspectives, guidance, and connections that can help me explore different career paths and gain greater clarity as I translate my academic and research experience into an impactful career in the agriculture and food sector.

Yexia Guan

University of Alberta, PhD Student, Food Science and Technology

I am currently a PhD student in Food Science at the University of Alberta, where my research focuses on the microbial safety of plant-based fermented foods. My current project investigates the survival of E. coli surrogates during the fermentation and ripening of plant-based cheese alternatives, with further work extending toward the validation of foodborne pathogens such as EHEC and Salmonella. Through this research, I hope to contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable plant-based food products.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Food Science and Engineering at Hubei University of Technology in China. During my undergraduate training, I conducted research on lactic acid bacteria fermentation, peanut protein functionality, and the valorization of peanut meal. I contributed to peer-reviewed publications in Food Frontiers, Journal of Future Foods, and LWT, participated in an invention patent, and led a national undergraduate innovation and entrepreneurship research project. I also took part in several national and provincial food science competitions, which strengthened my teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

As a young woman pursuing a PhD in food science, I see AWC as a valuable opportunity to grow beyond my technical research training and develop the professional skills needed for my future career. While my doctoral studies are helping me build expertise in food microbiology and food safety, I would also like to strengthen my leadership, communication, networking, and career development skills.

I am particularly interested in learning from women working across agriculture, food research, and industry, and hearing about the different career paths available beyond graduate school. Connecting with students, researchers, and industry professionals would help me better understand how scientific research can be translated into real-world impact and how I can prepare for a future career in the agri-food sector.

I also hope to build a supportive professional network with other women at similar stages of their careers. I believe participating in AWC would broaden my perspective, strengthen my confidence as an early-career researcher, and help me become a more effective scientist and future leader in the food and agriculture sector.