BARRHEAD - The Alberta Seed Processors awarded Cherhill youth Karsten Grabler a Seed Smart Scholarship.
The Alberta Seed Processors are a co-operative or a network comprised of 67 seed-cleaning plants across the province, including the Barrhead District Seed Cleaning Co-operative.
Seed cleaning is performed to decrease bulk for shipping, remove seeds with imperfections, and remove any other unwanted seeds or diseases.
Established in 2017, the scholarship recognizes the academic and personal accomplishments of outstanding young leaders in Alberta's agricultural sector.
Recipients are selected based on demonstrated commitment to public service within their communities, academic achievement, and plans for the agricultural value chain.
Karsten was one of two $1,000 award winners for 2025. The other recipient was from Red Deer.
Barrhead Seed Plant board member Uwe Quedenbaum said, more specifically, the scholarships are given to eligible candidates enrolled in a post-secondary agricultural program or one that is directly connected to the agriculture industry.
Applicants must write an essay detailing their background, highlighting their community involvement, volunteerism and their future plans in agriculture.
Quedenbaum, who also serves as a regional director with the Alberta Seed Processors, was one of the three scholarship selection committee members.
"We had some really strong candidates this year," he said, adding that they had around 10 applicants.
Last year, during his summer break from Lakeland College, where he is enrolled in Animal Science Technology, majoring in beef, Grabler worked as a yard helper at the seed plant, something he hopes to be able to do again this summer.
However, Quedenbaum has known Karsten and his family for a long time.
"I've known Karsten and his family for a long time," Quedenbaum said. "He is all about farming. One time, he was bailing straw at our place, and when you talk to him, it is like talking to another farmer. That is why he was a good candidate."
Although Grabler learned that he won the scholarship in October, the Alberta Seed Processors officially presented it to him at their annual conference during their annual general meeting in Edmonton last month.
"It was a special event," Quedenbaum said. "Not only was I able to give Karsten his scholarship, but I was also able to give our secretary Aase Andres a long service award. She has been working at the plant for 30 years."
Quedenbaum also noted Grabler's decade-long association with 4-H, holding several leadership positions, including president and vice-president.
In 2023, Grabler was also the recipient of Barrhead's Outstanding Youth Volunteerism award, not only for his work with the 4-H but also for the Alberta Junior Hereford Association. He was also the spokesperson for Covers & Co, a cover crop and forage seed supplier dedicated to advocating for youth in agriculture. Grabler also served as a coach for the Junior Rocks Curling program.
Grabler's future plans
Grabler said he was honoured to have received the scholarship, adding that he learned about the scholarship through the seed cleaning plant and suggested that he apply.
"Reading about the criteria, I thought I would have a good chance at winning one of the scholarships," he said, adding the scholarship will help him continue his education at Lakeland College.
Currently, Grabler is in the second year of a two-year program.
Grabler said his interest in farming and agriculture came naturally, mainly due to growing up on the family farm. The Grablers own and operate CS Ranch, a beef operation raising Red Angus and Hereford cattle.
After graduation, he is considering returning to school for another year to get a second diploma in agribusiness.
"Or I might jump right into farming, first on my family's farm before I start work on starting up my own farm," he said
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
