Photo from Neubauer Farms / Facebook

By Chris Brown

Community generosity helping get Irvine School’s agriculture program up and running

Jan 28, 2022 | 5:11 PM

IRVINE, AB – Heavy-duty planning sessions are underway for the Irvine Agricultural Discovery Centre’s first season, and it’s getting strong support from the local ag community.

Two home-raised steers were recently donated by Short Grass Ranches and Prairie Rose Public Schools trustee Cathy Hogg has donated two lambs, says Trent Rayner, principal at Irvine School.

“We’re getting people just volunteering, what do you guys need in specifics and that sort of thing,” he says. “So we’re getting a lot of our livestock either given to us at discount or donated. And that sure helps because we don’t necessarily have a lot of extra funding coming in for those sorts of things. So it’s just been great to see the community get behind us and help get this thing off the ground.”

Student committees are being established and board selection will be underway soon.

Rayner says all students at Irvine School will be involved in the student-led farm in some way and teachers are planning their curriculums to include hands-on learning.

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“It’s always better instead of just having teachers speaking about it or watching a video or something that they see on a Smartboard the kids can actually go out there and do hands-on learning,” he says. “Hands-on learning is the best learning and so that’s what everyone’s excited about.”

At the Agricultural Discovery Centre students will learn about everything from livestock and produce to sustainability, communications and finance.

Rayner says a naming competition for the steers has been discussed.