SMRID Awards $30,000 in scholarships to ag students in southern Alberta

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Several Coaldale and Lethbridge County area students pursuing post secondary studies in an agriculture-related field are recipients of the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) 2025- 2026 Peter Langemann, Keith Francis, and Jonnie Popel Memorial Scholarships.

The SMRID recently announced $30,000 in funding this year, to students from Lethbridge County, Coaldale, Bow Island, Cypress County and the MD of Taber. 

Each year, the SMRID awards up to 15 annual scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each, to students from across the district who meet the criteria. 

“Investing in students who are pursuing careers in agriculture is an investment in the future of our industry and our communities,” said SMRID General Manager, David Westwood. “These students represent the next generation of innovators, producers, and leaders who will help ensure that agriculture in southern Alberta continues to thrive. We’re proud to support their education and their commitment to advancing the sector.”

As part of SMRID’s ongoing commitment to strengthening agriculture and irrigation for future generations in southern Alberta, students enrolled in an agriculture-related field of study are given preferential consideration. In 2025, all scholarship recipients are studying in an agriculture-related programs and include future crop researchers, large animal veterinarians, agronomists, and agribusiness graduates.

One of those students is Lethbridge County resident, Vanessa Moorhead, who is studying the two-year Veterinary Technology diploma program at Lakeland College in Vermillion. 

“I’m very grateful to receive this scholarship. Being in an agricultural community and industry gives you so many great opportunities to apply for these scholarships … and put (it) towards our schooling,” said Moorhead. 

She grew up on her family farm, where they run a cow-calf operation and grow feed for cattle, she noted, adding that growing up in rural Alberta helped encourage her to pursue post secondary studies in an ag-related field. 

“Growing up in agriculture has impacted my decision to take veterinary technology because growing up and caring for the animals has made me want to continue to do it,” said Moorhead, noting the knowledge she is learning will help her better care for both her animals and others. Moorhead said when she completes her studies, she will be trained to care for a mix of domestic and farm animals including dogs, cats, horses and cattle as well as some exotic animals. 

She noted the important role young people have in agriculture and its future in the region.  

“The younger generations have a huge role in agriculture today. Continuing generational farming and ranching keeps agriculture alive and going,” explained Moorhead. “As young people can bring in new ways and technologies into farming and ranching that we learn and can apply to our future.”

Other scholarship recipients in the Coaldale and Lethbridge County areas include Sye Perry – Bioecology and Technology and Crop Sciences, Shaelynn Nelson – Feedlot Management, Danika Hodge – Agricultural Biotechnology and Charles White whose family owns irrigation acres in Lethbridge County.

“The SMRID Board of Directors is proud to support the region’s agriculture leaders of the future in their post-secondary education. All 15 of this year’s recipients are studying in an agriculture-related field,” said SMRID Board of Directors Chairman, Cory Nelson. “This funding is an investment in the future leaders of the agriculture and irrigation industries in southern Alberta.”

The St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) is a utility that captures snow melt water in a series of pipelines, canals, and reservoirs and delivers it to the farms on the plains of the semi-arid region from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat.The region typically produces consistent yields of high value and top-quality crops with less disease pressures when compared to more wet and humid climates. This has allowed Southern Alberta to attract large processing companies to and develop the region into Canada’s premier food corridor. 

Annually, irrigation-related activities in Alberta’s irrigation districts generate $5.4 billion to provincial GDP, $3.2 billion in direct labour income, and support about 46,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Irrigated land within Alberta irrigation districts generates 28 per cent of Alberta’s total Agri-food GDP.