It was all smiles this morning for members of an agricultural studies club at Crowther Memorial Junior High School as Dinsmore Swan and Chris Page from Nutrien presented the club with a cheque for $5000.

Teacher Donna Lewis, who has an agricultural background, explained this is a new program that just started at the school."The club works to teach students about the different types of agriculture throughout the world, in Canada and in Southern Alberta."

Lewis says the topics so far have ranged from agronomy and grains to cattle, animal husbandry, and horses in agriculture.

Much of the club is held on-site at the school but Lewis is hopeful that in the future students will have more opportunities to go off-site and experience in-person activities like meeting guest speakers and local experts.

She explained that the new funding from Nutrien can help cover the costs of items like transportation.

She noted that in the spring there may be the chance to add horticulture and aquaponics or hydroponic growing.

So far, students have visited Rocking R Guest Ranch and done a trail ride, next week they will have an agronomist as a guest speaker, and soon a visit to a local establishment to learn about the malting process in agriculture.

Reid, a student in the club, says, "I think it’s really fun and interesting, and I enjoy doing it because I enjoy being around animals and being around farms.” In the future, Reid hopes to have a profession centred around agriculture.

Page says Nutrien is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community.

“Sustainable agriculture and education are very important to us, and we're happy to be here,” he said.

“We appreciate them reaching out to participate in our Community Relations and Investment Program.

"Sustainable agriculture is one of our core values,” Page says.

He explained that their investment program is for groups just like the one at Crowther Memorial.

“What they're doing here, it fits right in. It’s awesome, so we're happy to be part of it,” he said.