Agriculture and the agrifood industry are the engines that drives Southern Alberta’s economy.  They encompass extensive cattle ranching to intensive irrigation of row crops and the value-added processing of a diverse range of food products.  The Rotary Ag Scholarship Program acknowledges the importance of agriculture and encourages Southern Alberta’s brightest post secondary students to pursue a career in agriculture.

First and foremost, one of the pillars of Rotary International is Education.  Supporting education and youth development is an investment for the future that can benefit our children and grandchildren.  Rotary Clubs are encouraged to develop community projects that will stimulate broad engagement from Rotary members and community sponsors.  The majority of our Club membership has a strong and direct connection to agriculture as farmers, agricultural scientists, ag-business owners or business owners who benefit from the growing agri-business community.

In 2018, our Rotary Club of Lethbridge East thought one way to help promote agriculture in southern Alberta would be to offer a significant $10,000 scholarship to a local worthy undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in Agriculture.  Thanks to the efforts and commitment from our Club and local industry partners we hosted a successful Ag Scholarship Banquet in conjunction with Ag Expo and awarded our first $10,000 Ag Scholarship to Lauren Machacek in February of 2019.

In spite of COVID-19 we were able to award two $10,000 Ag Scholarships in 2020 and 2021, and three Ag Scholarships in 2022, 2023 and 2024 thanks to the generous support from the local ag business community and friends of Rotary.  This level of support ($140,000) over the last six years is a testament to the community’s commitment to invest in the education and professional development of local students pursuing a career in agriculture.

Since initiating this Ag Scholarship program, the Lethbridge Polytechnic has developed an accredited bachelor’s degree program in Agriculture and the University of Lethbridge continues to have a strong Ag Business program in conjunction with the Dhillon School of Business.  All of our Ag Scholar recipients attended the Lethbridge Polytechnic and/or the University of Lethbridge.  Two of our Ag Scholars are now pursuing graduate degrees at the University of Alberta or the University of Guelph.

Over the last 5 years investment in Canada’s Premier Food Corridor in Southern Alberta has been in excess of one billion dollars.  It is essential that our community supports all aspects of this amazing industry.  The Rotary Ag Scholarship exemplifies how individuals and organizations can support the future economy of southern Alberta.