SMRID opens post-secondary scholarship applications

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Heather Cameron
Sunny South News

Applications for the Peter Langemann, Keith Francis, and Jonnie Popel Memorial Scholarships will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on August 31.

St. Mary River Irrigation District general manager David Westwood said that the scholarships are named to honour Langemann, Francis, and Popel, individuals whose contributions helped shape the organization and the irrigation industry.

Langemann, Westwood explained, was a former SMRID board chairman representing the West Division, who invented the innovative ‘Langemann Gate’; a water control structure that continues to be used in irrigation systems today. Francis, Westwood continued, was a former chairman of the Taber Irrigation District Board, represented the Central Division and provided dedicated leadership, as well as service to the irrigation community. Popel, Westwood also explained, was a long-serving employee whose commitment, professionalism, and character exemplified the values and mission of the organization throughout his career.

“These scholarships recognize the lasting impact each individual made through their leadership, innovation, and dedication to irrigation in Southern Alberta,” said Westwood.

Each year, Westwood noted, SMRID awards up to 15 annual scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to students who meet the criteria of being enrolled in an agriculture related diploma, certificate or degree program; is a child’s or spouse of a rate-paying irrigator within the district; has a parent or spouse employed by ratepaying irrigators within the District; has a parent or spouse employed by the St. Mary River Irrigation District, or was employed by the district in the preceding summer, and is entering 2nd year and higher of a recognized university, college, or technical institute or entering an internship/co-operative work term.

The scholarship program,Westwood said, was expanded to its current form in 2022 when St. Mary River Irrigation District and Taber Irrigation District amalgamated, and before that, Taber Irrigation District’s Board of Directors supported up to five students each year with a $2,000 scholarship each. 

After the two districts amalgamated, Westwood noted, St. Mary River Irrigation District’s merged Board of Directors opted to add an additional $20,000 in funding to support students, and felt it was important that the eligibility criteria reflect SMRID mission to build upon the legacy of agriculture and irrigation for future generations in southern Alberta and to invest in future leaders and innovators in agriculture.

Westwood emphasized that St. Mary River Irrigation District is ‘extremely proud’ to support eligible students in their pursuits of post-secondary education.

Those who are interested in pursuing this opportunity, Westwood said, can visit https://smrid.com/submit-scholarship-application-online-2/ to fill out the application.

“The St. Mary River Irrigation District is proud to support the next generation of leaders in agriculture, irrigation, and rural communities through the scholarship program,” said Westwood. “We hope that these scholarships will support post-secondary students by helping remove some of the financial barriers in accessing post-secondary education, to give back to the community connected to the district and to invest in the future innovators in agriculture.”