South Alberta School of Ag inches closer to fruition

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on May 15, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

In partnership with Medicine Hat College and Cypress County, and with support from 25 businesses from throughout the region, Prairie Rose Public Schools is moving forward with the South Alberta School of Agriculture.

At its May 6 meeting, Cypress County council agreed in principle to partner with the project. While the details are still being worked out, says PRPS superintendent Reagan Weeks, they are thrilled to have this partnership and be one step closer to bringing the vision to reality.

Medicine Hat College has likewise put forward a proposal to the government to offer an agribusiness certificate and diploma, which will allow them to provide post-secondary curriculum to the high school students who would be attending SASA.

“If approved, Medicine hat College will be providing in-person learning experiences and mentorship from our experienced faculty,” said Nancy Brown, vice-president academic and provost with MHC. “We will be offering dual enrolment opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school, which will give them a head start on their higher education journey.”

This partnership is similar to other offerings already provided by partnerships with PRPS and other school districts to help enhance the educations of the region’s high school students. Brown says the focus on agribusiness would aim to blend “traditional farming and modern business principles,” and prepare future agricultural leaders to take part in a changing economy.

On the land that PRPS looks to lease from the county, a variety of different aspects of agriculture education will be housed, says Weeks, including crops, livestock and space for classrooms and potential for local professionals to use the building for activities such as veterinary work that the students could observe.

“Our goal is to build upon what has been developed at the Agricultural Discovery Centre. We’re so thankful that Neubauer Farms is leading the charge in this initiative as well, they did such an incredible job in Irvine,” said Weeks. “And now to bring this to a new site, which will focus on high school students and be the next step.”

The project has many details left to oversee, says Weeks, including approval from government, but she feels excited and hopeful to be able to bring several years of planning and partnership to fruition and create opportunities for PRPS students as they bring the solid foundation created at the junior high level up to their high school students.

“We are incredibly excited and honoured to be part of these regional conversations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact on young students’ lives,” said Brown, echoing the sentiment. “Our objective is to give every student an exceptional learning experience, including all of our dual-credit students.”

Should all continue to go well, Weeks says the hope is for construction of the necessary space to take place over the 2025-2026 school year, so that they might begin accepting SASA students for 2026-2027.

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