Agricultural program to provide training, leadership

Rural Alberta Development Fund has awarded $900,000 to an agricultural education program aimed at providing students with entrepreneurial, leadership and business management skills. Led by the Fort Vermilion School Division, the Rocky Lane School Agricultural Program will offer off-campus learning opportunities through the operation of a farm/ranch as part of the provincial curriculum, while creating a collaborative framework between the school and neighbouring farming and First Nations communities. With FVSD taking on leadership and governance of the project, partnerships with key stakeholders have also been formed with Beaver First Nations, Rocky Lane Agricultural Society and Rocky Lane School. The agricultural program will prepare students for good citizenship, the workplace and post-secondary education while improving student engagement, achievement and high school completion rates.