Two local ag students among 15 to receive SMRID scholarships

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Oct 14, the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) announced $30,000 in funding to recipients of the 2025-26 Peter Langemann, Keith Francis, and Jonnie Popel Memorial Scholarships.

 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, and all 15 were distributed this year. The 2025 scholarship recipients are studying in an agriculture-related program and include future crop researchers, large animal veterinarians, agronomists, and agribusiness graduates, an ASBG press release said.

 Qualifying students were required to be entering at least their second year of post-secondary education. Those enrolled in an agriculture-related field of study were given preferential consideration.

 Two of those students are from the MD: Lisa Camps from Barnwell and Blake Bareman of Grassy Lake.

 Camps described her background and connection to the ag industry, saying, “I’ve grown up and been raised on the farm; both my parents are farmers and own and run CP Farms. I’m studying at Lethbridge Polytechnic and I’m taking the Agronomy diploma. I’ve always wanted to go into this program since farming has been such a big part of my life, and it’s always interested me to learn more, especially towards the plant side, and for the growth of crops.”

 Bareman explained, “I was raised on an irrigated crop farm south of Grassy Lake. Our main crop is potatoes but we also grow other crops like seed canola, rye grass seed and durum. I chose to pursue my post-secondary studies at Lakeland College due to their focus on hands-on learning. I’m in my second year taking Animal Science Technology – beef science major.”

 He continued, “I chose this course because ever since I was young I have been very interested in the cattle industry. I grew up showing steers and heifers through 4H. We started our own herd of cows a few years back. I chose to take an animal science course because if the farm ever decides to grow on the cattle side, I will have the expertise to run a successful operation.”

 Cory Nelson, chairman of the SMRID board of directors, called the funding “an investment in the future leaders of the agriculture and irrigation industries in southern Alberta.”

 David Westwood, SMRID GM said, “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.”

 SMRID received a record number of applications in 2025. This year’s recipients include students from Cypress County, Lethbridge County, Coaldale, Bow Island and the MD of Taber.

 Quick facts from the SMRID:

-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.

-For every $1 invested by the Government of Alberta, irrigation districts return $3.56 in revenue to the Province.