New leadership award honours Peter Hannam

TORONTO, ON [November 25, 2025] – Six exceptional individuals pursuing careers and leadership roles in Ontario’s agriculture sector have been recognized by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) with scholarship awards of $2,000 each.

Five winners received OFA scholarships, and one recipient was honoured with the new Peter Hannam Leadership Award during OFA’s annual general meeting in Toronto earlier today.

The OFA’s long-standing scholarship program supports students pursuing agricultural studies at the undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship levels. This year also marks the introduction of a new leadership award in memory of Peter Hannam, respected industry leader, former OFA President and driving force behind the establishment of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, who passed away earlier this year, to recognize emerging leaders who embody his lifelong commitment to advancing Ontario agriculture.

“Peter Hannam’s vision and leadership helped shape the future of Ontario agriculture in countless ways and continue to have an impact across the sector and beyond to this day,” said Drew Spoelstra, OFA President. “It’s fitting that we honour his legacy with this new award, while continuing to support and celebrate students who represent the next generation of the agriculture industry in our province.”

This year’s winners include:

Peter Hannam Leadership Award: Lindsay Dykeman, Kincardine ON (Bruce County)

Lindsay Dykeman is the General Manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative Inc. and a member of the current class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, where she hopes to strengthen her skills in governance, strategic planning and leadership. She’s also a director with the Kincardine Agricultural Society and the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture and secretary/treasurer with Bruce County Community Pasture. A sheep and crop farmer, Lindsay is a graduate of Nipissing University and previously held positions with the West Bruce Feeder Finance Co-operative and BDO Canada.

Postgraduate: Katie Normet, Arthur ON (Wellington County)

Katie Normet is the owner of River’s Edge Goat Dairy near Arthur and founder of The Centre for Agricultural Connection. She’s a member of the current class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program, Vice President of the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, member of the Rural Water Quality Committee and part of the OFA’s Policy Advisory Council. Katie is also active in rural economic development, having helped launch the Butter Tart Trail in Wellington North and the Wellington County Buy Local Buy Fresh map, as well as co-chair the set-up of Taste Real branding.

Apprenticeship: Masen Rice, Douglas ON (Renfrew County/Ottawa Valley)

Masen Rice grew up on a dairy farm near Douglas in Eastern Ontario, is currently completing an apprenticeship as an Agricultural Equipment Technician through employment at Cecil C. Elliott Farm Equipment. Masen is an active 4-H participant and volunteer with Taste of the Valley and local fall fairs in the Ottawa Valley. Still actively involved in his family’s farm, his future goal is to become a Red Seal Agricultural Equipment Technician.

Undergraduate – Southwest: Nicole Danen, Tavistock ON (Oxford County)

Nicole Danen is in her fourth year at the University of Guelph, studying agricultural science. She grew up on a dairy farm near Tavistock and is actively involved with a wide range of activities, including 4-H, Oxford County Junior Farmers, College Royal and OAC Class of 2026 Executive and more. Her long-term goal is to take on management of the family farm.

Undergraduate – Northeast: Heidi McFadden, Duoro Dummer ON (Peterborough County)

Heidi McFadden is a food and agriculture business student at the University of Guelph. Passionate about using technology to address challenges like food insecurity and climate change, she is the founder of ProBot, a company that teaches young people the fundamentals of coding and robotics. She also has a small beef herd, is the secretary of the Ontario Junior Hereford Association and a past vice president of the Young Canadian Simmental Association. Her future vision is to use automation, precision sensors and artificial intelligence to grow food, including in urban areas, using minimal space, energy and water.

Undergraduate – Central: Clayton Devitt, Guelph ON (Wellington County)

Clayton Devitt grew up on a crop farm in Bruce County near Ripley and is in his final year of agriculture science with a focus on field crop research, plant pathology and soil science at the University of Guelph. An active volunteer and participant in campus activities, he also volunteers with Grain Farmers of Ontario and was a panelist at the University of Guelph Education Symposium at the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He plans to continue his crop research through the Master’s degree program in Guelph’s Department of Plant Agriculture.

Scholarship applications are open to Ontario students who are OFA members or the child or employee of an OFA member. Applicants are evaluated on leadership, community involvement, and their passion for agriculture. More information is available at ofa.on.ca/community/scholarship-program

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) represents 38,000 farm families across the province and serves as the leading advocate and strongest voice of Ontario’s farmers. As a dynamic farmer-led organization, the OFA represents and champions the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more.

For more information, contact:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-994-2578
[email protected]