LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, November 26, 2024 – SMRID is pleased to award $30,000 in funding to recipients of the 2024- 2025 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.
As part of SMRID’s ongoing commitment to build upon the Legacy of agriculture and irrigation for future generations in southern Alberta, students enrolled in an agriculture-related field of study are given preferential consideration. This year’s recipients include future agronomists, large animal veterinarians, and agriculture equipment technicians.
Quotes:
“The SMRID Board of Directors are pleased to support 15 eligible students in their pursuits of a post-secondary education. We believe in supporting sustainable communities, environment and agriculture with water and investing in the future of the agriculture industry.”
-Cory Nelson, Vice Chair, SMRID Board of Directors, Chair, SMRID Scholarship Committee
“We are pleased to award $30,000 in funding in 2024. This year saw a record number of applications submitted to the District. Irrigation is vitally important to the economic prosperity of the region, and these scholarships are an investment in Southern Alberta and the future leaders in agriculture and irrigation in our District.”
-David Westwood, SMRID General Manager
More information:
Each year, The SMRID awards up to (15) annual scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to students who either: Are enrolled in an agriculture related diploma, certificate or degree program; Are a child or spouse of a rate-paying Irrigator within the District; Have a parent or spouse employed by ratepaying irrigators within the District, or; were employed by the District in the preceding summer. Preferential consideration is given to students enrolled in an agriculture-related program of study. The District is proud to support the future of agriculture and irrigation in southern Alberta. SMRID received a record number of applications in 2024. This year’s recipients include students from Cypress County, Lethbridge County, and the MD of Taber.
Quick Facts:
- The St. Mary River Irrigation District and Taber Irrigation District amalgamated in 2022.
- SMRID is the largest Irrigation District in Canada and North America. SMRID has over 2,000 km of canals and pipeline, which spans from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat and serves 520,000 acres.
- Annually, irrigation-related activities in Alberta’s irrigation districts generate $5.4 billion to provincial GDP, $3.2 billion in labour income, and support about 46,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
- Irrigated land within Alberta irrigation districts generates 28% of Alberta’s total Agri-food GDP.