Katarina Duke, AAg, 2022 BCIA Graduate Scholarship Winner
What are your areas of practice? What is your expertise?
Two areas of practice: (1) Water resource planning and management and (2) Rural community development and support.
Expertise: Developing community-based monitoring programs; Indigenous-led ecological restoration and food sovereignty initiatives; Rural water resource management.
Why did you choose the career in which you are currently?
My career aspirations have evolved through my years as a military spouse. From the desire to be an engineer as a teenager, my life has pivoted towards a career that contributes to water security, biodiversity conservation, and rural community development. Despite these many pivotal moments in my life, the constant motivation in choosing a career was my aspiration to help build a legacy for present and future generations—an opportunity I have been blessed with thanks to Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations (KCFN).
I chose to pursue a career with an Indigenous community as it provides the opportunity for continuous learning, contributes to a range of projects, and allows a blended work environment (i.e., office and field work). Most importantly, it is the personal growth from being immersed within an Indigenous culture and learning from their wealth of knowledge.
Paula Eraso, 2022 BCIA Undergraduate Scholarship Winner
Paula grew up in Chilliwack, BC, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). An interest in biology initially led her to an undergraduate degree in Health Science at UNBC. A very engaging professor captivated her interest in plant science, and she soon found herself transferring to the horticulture program back in her hometown.
During her undergrad, Paula completed co-ops in pest management of invasive crop pests with Dr. Wim van Herk (Agriculture Agri-Food Canada) and under provincial entomologist Tracy Hueppelsheuser (BC Ministry of Agriculture). She also gained management experience in the cut-flower industry while working at Lakeland Flowers in Abbotsford.
This past year, she has discovered a deep interest in sustainable and urban agriculture. She is currently taking part in a study abroad year in Lille, France, where she is taking courses in urban farming and European food chains. She hopes to return to Canada as an English-French bilingual speaker and to pursue further studies in sustainable agriculture.
BCIA is happy to announce their 2022 graduate and undergraduate scholarship winners:
- Katarina Duke, AAg, BCIA Graduate Scholarship Winner
- Paula Eraso, Undergraduate Scholarship Winner
To support future agrologists to achieve their career in agrology, the BC Institute of Agrologists annually awards up to $1500 in scholarships in each category: graduate and undergraduate, respectively.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Scholarship applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Be currently enrolled in a degree program (online or hybrid) related to agrology at any recognized post-secondary institution;
- Undergraduate students must have completed at least two (2) years of an undergraduate degree program and be full-time students;
- Graduate students may be full or part-time students (with no fewer than two (2) courses);
- Be a student member or a Registrant of BCIA ;
- Be Canadian or be a permanent resident of Canada;
- Have a B+ average academic achievement in the previous two (2) years with a minimum of 15 courses towards a degree in agrology‐related studies.
Applicants submitted an essay of 750-900 words that answers the following question:
How does Indigenous reconciliation have the potential to strengthen the practice of Agrology? Consider your Practice Area(s) in your answer (not applicable if a student member).
Submissions were evaluated on idea development, essay presentation, style, staying on topic, and understanding of the profession of agrology.
Scholarship recipients will have their photos and essay published in the BC Institute of Agrologists' promotional materials, social media, and website.