Expanding hands-on agricultural training

Alberta is investing more than $7 million in Lakeland College to expand and modernize hands-on agricultural training at its Vermilion campus and help students build careers close to home. 

The funding will support upgrades and expansion of the beef yard and the relocation of horse pen facilities. The work is intended to expand training capacity, modernize learning spaces and strengthen connections among students, employers and the rural communities they support. 

The project will also enhance animal welfare and student learning. The beef yard, originally built for 60 students and 100 cows, now supports more than 80 students and 220 cows. The horse pen relocation will replace aging infrastructure with modern, purpose-built spaces to improve animal care, safety and hands-on training. 

Lakeland College president and CEO Alice Wainwright-Stewart said the support is instrumental in revitalizing agricultural programming.