On September 14 Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides, along with Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell, Lakeland College President and CEO Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, other Lakeland College board chairs, as well as supporters such as Lewis Farms, Innovation-Canada Foundation for Innovation, New Holland Agriculture, RBC Foundation, and MNP were in attendance to celebrate the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting of Lakeland’s new Agriculture Technology Centre.
“The opening of the Agriculture Technology Centre presents an exciting new chapter for Lakeland College and agriculture science students from across the country. Being able to deliver Canada’s first degree program in agriculture technology, in a state-of-the-art facility, continues to position Alberta as a world-class destination for post-secondary education,” says Minister Nicolaides.
Lakeland College’s agriculture technology students and researchers now have a new central hub to explore, test, and apply all the latest technology while they develop skills needed by industry. The new centre is home to Lakeland’s new bachelor of agriculture technology program and ag-tech applied research activities and is where students, faculty, and researchers will collect and analyze production and sustainability data generated across the commercial-scale Student-Managed Farm-Powered by New Holland.
According to Lakeland College, the 743-square-meter facility features a technology hub with displays and analytical tools, combined lab and classroom space, and an area for large equipment demonstrations. The centre is home to two labs, the Agriculture Technology Lab- Powered by New Holland and the Lewis Farms Data Lab.
“Without technological advancements, traditional agriculture can’t keep up with the demands of today’s world. Our new Agriculture Technology Centre provides a space that cultivates learning, exploring, and understanding – a place where our students and researchers are at the forefront of the high-tech advancements in agriculture,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “We’re so grateful to have the support of our incredible donors and funding partners – their investment in this facility, as well as our students and research, will leave a lasting impact on our future ag leaders and the industry itself for generations to come.”
The new bachelor of agriculture technology program is a two-year, post credential program designed to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and agricultural management and production systems according to Lakeland College.