Lethbridge College is set to receive $1 million in funding from the province to help expand the capacity of its applied research in irrigation science program.
The Ministry of Technology announced on Jan. 10 that the college was one of four post-secondary intuitions across Alberta that will be receiving some of the $3.6 million from Alberta’s Research Capacity Program College Fund.
Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities and MLA for Lethbridge East, says “Water and agriculture are critical to the economy and way of life in southern Alberta. Lethbridge College’s leadership in providing training on smart irrigation is a brilliant step towards a better future.”
This grant will be in addition to the $1 million in federal funding the college received last year. With the combined $2 million will help support smart irrigation infrastructure needs for the Mueller Irrigation Research Group at the college’s research farm which is located just east of Lethbridge.
“Receiving these grants from both the provincial and federal levels of government acknowledges the important research that we are doing in collaboration with industry in southern Alberta,” says Andrew Dunlop, Director of Applied Research Operations.
“Our Smart Irrigation Farm will undertake research to minimize water usage in our agricultural system in the face of future droughts and maximize crop productivity,” adds Kenny Corscadden, Vice President Research and Partnerships and Interim Vice President Academic.
The smart irrigation infrastructure at the research farm is one of the first of its kind among post-secondary institutions across the country. The grants will help the Mueller Irrigation Research Group continue to expand and provide opportunities for students, researchers and industry partners alike.