Limitless 2019

2019 - 2020

LIMITLESS A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

Farming Smarter

p. 12

Conference on Environmental Management p. 22

Efficient Bulls p. 24 Livestock Facility Growing p. 28

Innovation AT

LAKELAND

p. 31

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

1

WHY LAKELAND? Lakeland transforms learners into leaders through student-managed enterprises, events and experiences.

Through these work-integrated learning opportunities, students learn to think critically and creatively while also developing needed soft skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership.

2 CAMPUSES IN ALBERTA Vermilion & Lloydminster 55+ Programs 6,400 Students Served Annually

ACADEMIC AREAS:

Business Agricultural Sciences

Environmental Sciences Energy

Health and Wellness

Fire and Emergency Services

Interior Design Technology

Human Services

University Transfer and Foundational Learning Trades and Technology

2018-19 ENROLMENT 2,146

Full-load equivalents

6,408

Credit and non-credit students served

237

Indigenous students

300

International students

Our students came from 10 provinces 2 territories 19 other countries

TABLE OF CONTENTS

18 6

Message from the President

7 Message from the Dean of Agricultural Sciences & Applied Research 8 VBP+ certification Lakeland College is the first post-secondary institution in Alberta to attain Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) certification.

14 Agribusiness farm simulation A Lakeland College instructor develops innovative farm simulator 16 Fireball Network to aid search for meteorites in Western Canada

11 What's the buzz?

12 Farming smarter The Crop Research program at Lakeland College is using the latest in agriculture technology to enhance its research operations and its ability to relate trial results to environmental conditions.

16 Alberta's Top 75 Employers 18 Student-led crop research Second-year crop technology students took the lead in crop research this year by taking a closer look at field pea phosphorous fertility.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

3

19 19 Student-Managed Farm — Powered by New Holland 30th anniversary 20 2019 crop tours Lakeland Crop Research conducted three field schools in the 2019 season.

22

Conference on Environmental Management

24

fficient bulls E Animal science technology students are making strides in helping agricultural producers improve their bottom line.

26

Livestock Research results shared in China

4

LIMITLESS

27

Dr. Durunna's international presentation tips

28 Livestock facility gets smart Livestock production-efficiency research at Lakeland College received a makeover this late summer with upgrades to the existing GrowSafeÂŽ Feed Intake technology and the addition of two four-position GrowSafe Beef units.

31 Portraits of innovation Lakeland College inspires lifelong learning through experience, excellence and innovation.

Volume 8

2019-2020

LIMITLESS

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College Publication Information Limitless is published by Lakeland College. This is the 8th volume. Throughout the magazine, you will find faces of researchers and innovative staff and students at the college. This magazine showcases activities across both campuses. Special thanks to all Lakeland College employees and partners who contributed information and photographs to this publication.

PROJECT MANAGER Veronica Stalwick ADVISORS Josie Van Lent, Tanya McDonald CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Obioha Durunna, Josie Van Lent, Laurel Thompson, Lakeland College Marketing and Communications Department EDITOR Katie Ryan DESIGN Veronica Stalwick

Vermilion Campus 5707 College Drive Vermilion AB T9X 1K5 Lloydminster Campus 2602 - 59 Avenue Lloydminster AB T9V 3N7

Applied research actually came first in Lakeland College's history. Before there was a Vermilion School of Agriculture, there was a demonstration farm where the college was established. To this day, Lakeland supports and encourages applied research. Through applied research, students take the lead in learning, gain wider perspectives, have access to additional expertise and build important skills that contribute to industrial innovation. Lakeland is committed to pursuing applied research projects that enhance both teaching and learning as well as support regional economic development.

Between issues of Limitless, read stories of innovation and events at lakelandcollege.ca, or subscribe to the Lakeland Link to get up-to-date college news at lakelandcollege.ca/lakeland-link.

lakelandcollege.ca

CONNECT WITH US! LAKELAND COLLEGE CANADA

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

5

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

From left to right, Georgina Altman, Vice President External Relations & Infrastructure, Dr. Alice WainwrightStewart, President and CEO, and Michael Crowe ,Vice President Academic & Research.

Every day at Lakeland College, we both welcome and drive innovation. We work together with our student leaders and faculty to lead the way with the latest advancements in agriculture and industry, and this issue of Limitless is a celebration of that.

for our on-going agronomic and livestock research, which has always been at the core of what we do here. Thanks to the efforts of our faculty and our students, we can assist agricultural producers to embrace new technological innovation, becoming more efficient in all aspects of production.

Over the next few pages, you’ll read about the important work we are doing in agricultural research, including the specialized equipment we purchased with the assistance of Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s College and Community Innovation program. This issue also features updates on our farm simulation software and projects completed at our Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF), which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

There is so much more to celebrate at Lakeland. Our staff and students continue to excel in provincial, national and international competitions. In the pages ahead, you’ll read about Lakeland being honoured as the 2019 National Kitchen & Bath Association College of the Year for our interior design program, where two of our students were recognized with first and third place awards for their projects. You’ll also learn about our agribusiness and hairstyling students who were recognized for their levels of excellence.

We’re also pleased to share how our research continues to evolve in directions that are significant to the economies of Alberta and Canada, and how we’re growing our partnerships.

In fact, Lakeland is one of eight organizations that will advance national agriculture technology priorities thanks to new funding for the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN). We’re grateful for the Government of Canada’s $49.5-million investment through the Strategic Innovation Fund for the CAAIN. Lakeland’s role will include testing new technologies on existing crop and livestock units at the SMF.

Lakeland students, alumni and faculty continue to make an impact internationally, and we are proud to share their stories with you.

It means so much to Lakeland that we continue to be supported

6

LIMITLESS

It is my honour to welcome you to this issue of Limitless, where we celebrate everything we have accomplished together and the excellence yet to come.

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart President and CEO

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN Lakeland alumna Karlene Oesch (left), and Josie Van Lent, Dean of Agricultural Sciences & Applied Research

It is my pleasure to welcome you to another edition of Limitless and all that is new and exciting in applied research at Lakeland College! Lakeland continues to evolve its research mandate, and as such, change is upon us.

This spring, Lakeland chose to adopt a new model of research, which accommodates deeper synergies and efficiencies between faculty, research, students and our college farm. This means research is now managed within the various academic departments rather than as a stand-alone department. As per our strategic mandate, the focus of applied research remains primarily in agricultural sciences and technologies, energy and environmental sciences with the goal of supporting Alberta’s future economy.

With this change, we extend a huge amount of gratitude to Diane Harms, who, as director of applied research, established Lakeland as a leader in energy and agriculture research, and entrepreneurial hands-on, student-led research activities. Diane built a great team who continue to serve Applied Research at the college. Her networking and collaborative approach solidified Lakeland as a valuable member/player amongst funders, industry and government partners. We wish Diane all the best as she continues in her new endeavors, and we very much appreciate the legacy she has left with us.

Lakeland’s applied research in agriculture will continue to concentrate on supporting commercial agriculture for crops, beef, dairy and sheep activities that are prevalent in the region.

The college’s crops applied research, led by Laurel Thompson, is focused primarily on small plot crop research that addresses commercial crop productivity and sustainability. Our livestock research, led by Dr. Obioha Durunna, focuses on feed efficiency and an array of livestock production and management activities. Integrating smart agricultural and ICT tools into practical projects relevant for producers is a growing priority for agriculture research. Under the leadership of Laurel and Obi, Lakeland continues to increase internal capacity and build longer-term collaborations with industry and academic research partners. Our vision is to be a leader in research collaborations

that drive innovation and excellence in commercial agriculture and student learning.

As we share our research endeavors with you, you'll see that agricultural applied research is integrated with Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF). We take much pride in the fact that our students on the SMF Crop and Livestock Research teams take the lead in developing applied research projects. They work closely with industry partners and advisory groups to conduct research trials.

Research partners support projects that are important to the long-term sustainability of the agriculture industry in Alberta. Partners include: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Canada Malt, Canadian Angus Association, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Barley, the universities of Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Olds College and Lethbridge College, West Central Forage Association, local counties and other strong industry partners such as Masterfeeds, Mosaic, Anuvia, BASF, Secan, PMT Inc., Animal Inframetrics, and Solvet. In addition, under the guidance of our recently formed Livestock and Forage Research Advisory Council that consists of industry and producer members, we continue to progress the priorities that are important to our stakeholders.

On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our many industry partners and collaborators for your support. Be it guidance and mentorship, funding, in-kind or project proposal backing, we appreciate and value our work with all of you.

As demonstrated in this edition of Limitless, together we are progressing applied research that is significant to our economy and to our future!

Josie Van Lent Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences and Applied Research

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

7

8

LIMITLESS

LAKELAND COLLEGE IS THE FIRST POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION IN ALBERTA TO ATTAIN VERIFIED BEEF PRODUCTION PLUS (VBP+) CERTIFICATION Being recognized by this national on-farm food safety program means Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) reflects the highest standards for food safety, animal care and environmental stewardship.

“We’re excited to receive the VBP+ certification because it's a check for us to ensure we are farming, ranching and raising cattle in a sustainable manner – environmentally, economically and socially. This certification proves to our consumer that what we are doing is right and in the best interest of the animals,” says Bevin Hamilton, instructor and staff adviser to the commercial beef unit.

Hamilton is eager for students and consumers to know how progressive Lakeland is about sustainable practices. He says the certification also opens and increases Lakeland’s access to markets for all of the beef sold off the farm. Approximately 220 SMF beef cattle fall under this certification.

Lakeland is also certified sustainable according to the Canadian Round Table of A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

9

Melissa Downing (left), Alberta VBP+ provincial coordinator, and Bevin Hamilton, Lakeland instructor and staff adviser to the commercial beef unit.

“Lakeland is very progressive and could be an example for future producers. We can help influence students going through the program so they can become familiar with it.”

- Melissa Downing

10

LIMITLESS

Sustainable Beef, which announced in August 2018 that VBP+ is now a certification body for them, says Melissa Downing, Alberta VBP+ provincial coordinator.

“Lakeland is very progressive and could be an example for future producers.

We can help influence students going through the program so they can become familiar with it,” says Downing. “Within our program, we have four pillars – on-farm food safety, environmental stewardship, biosecurity and animal care. I reviewed the audit report done on Lakeland and the college is in compliance of the program so we issued the certification.”

Two features of the SMF’s sustainable practices that shined throughout the three-step certification process are the use of Herdtrax, an online cattle record management program that tracks data from calving records to nutrition and more, as well as updates to the cattle handling equipment in the G.N. Sweet Livestock Research Facility, Hamilton says.

Christine MacKinnon, a 2018 animal science technology grad, was one of three VBP+ student representatives actively involved in the program.

From September 2017 to April 2018, she participated in online training, workshops and webinars that focused on the program’s key areas – animal care, biosecurity and environmental stewardship – and how the college implemented them on the SMF. “It was a good experience. We did a lot of seminars and learning, and then we had to implement everything on the SMF that was in the program's requirements.

I saw plenty of opportunities to bring what I could learn about cattle and environmental stewardship to my future career working in a feedlot,” MacKinnon says.

VBP+ will host annual training workshops at the college with SMF staff and Lakeland students to ensure everyone has the same understanding of the program.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? LAKELAND AND UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY CHECK OUT BENEFICIAL INSECT EFFECTS ON CANOLA YIELDS The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is working with Lakeland College to take a deep dive into the effect of beneficial insects living in natural habitats and non-farmed spaces, such as in-field wetlands, on canola yields. Initial research conducted by the UCalgary has shown that insects and other arthropods living in field wetlands that move throughout the surrounding crop and through pollination or pest control, may help to improve yields, decrease inputs and increase profitability.

In 2019, landscape ecologist and study lead Dr. Paul Galpern, associate professor in the Faculty of Environmental Design and Department of Biological Sciences at UCalgary, partnered with Lakeland to initiate a three-year project that will measure the effect of beneficial insects on canola yield, at increasing distances from wetlands. This collaborative project is funded by the Canola Agronomic Research Program, which encompasses funding from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Canola Producer Commissions.

Laurel Thompson, Lakeland’s crop research scientist, explains, “Dr. Galpern’s preliminary work has shown that the concentration of beneficial insects is highest closest to in-field wetlands, and as beneficial insect populations are measured farther away from the wetland, these populations drop off. This led to the project hypothesis that if these beneficial insects are having a positive effect on canola pollination, then we might find a yield effect in the surrounding canola crop. This is what we aim to quantify.”

not able to access) and outside of the exclosed area at each distance (beneficial insects have full access). If beneficial insects are having a positive influence on canola yield, the researchers would expect to see a difference in yield between the exclosed and non-exclosed areas. Further, if there are fewer beneficial insects farther from the wetland, the researchers would expect to see any difference in yield be highest closest to the wetland, and dropping off at farther distances away from the wetland.

Insect populations are being measured at increasing distances from the wetlands, alongside the exclosure tents.

A second component of this project will involve using precision combine yield data from 50 Vermilion-area canola fields in each of three years (150 fields total) to model the effect of wetlands on canola yield at a larger scale.

While examining the relationship between natural habitats, canola yield and the presence of beneficial arthropods, the study aims to provide specific advice to producers about the contributions of natural habitats to yield, how to manage these non-farmed spaces and the relative importance of beneficial arthropods for yields.

The study is measuring this by deploying mesh exclosure “tents” in canola fields that will exclude insects from contacting the canola crop inside the tent. The mesh exclosure tents allow sunlight, rainfall and wind to penetrate, but they keep insects out. This past summer the mesh exclosure tents were placed in canola crops, prior to canola bloom, at increasing distances from the wetland (two, 25, 50, 75, and 100m) in three canola fields in the Vermilion region. The experiment is being replicated three times within each field to increase the quality and quantity of data in the project. Canola yield will be measured from within the exclosed area (beneficial insects are

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

11

12

LIMITLESS

FARMING SMARTER The Crop Research program at Lakeland College is using the latest in agriculture technology to enhance its research operations and its ability to relate trial results to environmental conditions.

“The applications and benefits of using these new technologies in the research program are not unlike the benefits and applications western Canadian farmers are finding for these technologies at the farm-level,” explains Laurel Thompson, crop research scientist at Lakeland.

These benefits include normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) imagery to quantify crop greenness from aerial UAV photos and aerial imagery to quantify lodging area of plots, using Lakeland’s UAV, a DRAGANFLY INC. X4-P. Soil sensors that measure soil moisture, soil electroconductivity and soil temperature at multiple depths in real time are also being implemented in select trials. They will better relate crop response to treatments, such as fertilizer rate and placement, to the environmental conditions present.

AG TECHNOLOGY TAKES LAKELAND'S CROP RESEARCH TO THE NEXT LEVEL on either side of the tractor tires to play with as we drive over a plot during in-season spraying. With RTK+, we are able to use the GPS map we made during seeding and drive exactly down that same path a month later for spraying, with great precision.”

Lakeland was recently awarded an Agriculture Research Tools and Instruments grant from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to purchase a new specialized plot combine. This combine will include an automatic weigh system that will measure and record plot yield, grain moisture, and bushel weight in real-time, while combining. Moving forward in 2020, this will create huge operational efficiencies in the program, negating the need to manually measure these harvest data parameters by hand in the winter months.

Lakeland will continue to move forward to harness the benefits of these agriculture technologies for the benefit of farmers, students and industry.

There are also operational advantages for using advanced technology in the research program operations. These include precision of treatment applications, reduced operator error, and increased ability for the operator to focus on the implement function for the RTK+ GPS system that Lakeland Crop Research has installed on both its seeding and spraying tractors. The RTK+ GPS system offers sub-inch repeatability that reduces trampling of plot rows during in-crop treatment applications.

Thompson explains, “We have about 1.5" Soil Sensor

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

13

Agribusiness

FARM SIMULATION Lakeland instructor developed innovative farm simulator A Lakeland College agricultural sciences instructor implemented gamification techniques in the classroom to enable students to excel in life-like farming scenarios.

Agribusiness instructor Cole Ambrock updated the software used in his agribusiness simulation course to exceed today’s learning objectives. The course bridges the gap between theory and applied practices. In a team environment, students make decisions as agricultural business managers for a simulated farm.

“There is a massive amount of data behind this course including land titles, purchase decisions, equipment and more. On the first day of class students will be given a farm from the previous year. They log in to the website and have access to the entire farm’s information. No matter the state of the farm, students take over the farming operations from the previous year,” Ambrock says.

The 2019-20 academic year marks the third year developing this simulator. Stage two of the website is underway, which includes an interactive land map, where students buy, sell or rent land and strategize their farm.

Blaik Esau, a past agribusiness student, found tremendous value in the course material.

“It’s a class that got me buzzing, especially with the grain simulation. I was excited to see what the week would hold for prices and how we would market our grain to try to get max value, while still trying to make the different payments we had on expenses,” Esau says.

The ag simulation website is being developed with support from Lakeland College’s Innovation Fund.

With input from past students, Ambrock finalized the data management website that will log and track the information students gather pertaining to their given simulated farm.

Ambrock also collaborated with Darla Stepanick and Tracy Quinton from the agribusiness department to ensure appropriate financial and economic/succession planning strategies are part of the program.

The website determines and tracks market values, crop yield, grade and moisture, calving mishaps and weaning weight, financial and weather crisis situations, insurance and more. It also features a built in marketplace for students to sell items in their personal inventory, and a farm store that will sell farm supplies.

“The benefit of this course is providing students with reallife farming practices in a safe environment because they can fail and investigate what went wrong at no cost. We also take them through every step of farming a crop, cattle, livestock and feedlot operation,” he says.

This land map shows where the farms are currently located. When the instructor puts new land for sale or rent all farms are notified. Students can either buy the land or submit a tender to rent, or accept the rent payment that is described.

14

LIMITLESS

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College 15

FIREBALL NETWORK TO AID SEARCH FOR METEORITES IN WESTERN CANADA Western Canada’s most advanced fireball network will automate the detection of meteorite falls.

Many Western Canadians will remember the vision of a fireball blazing across the prairie sky in November 2008, and the ensuing hunt to find what we now know was the Buzzard Coulee meteorite.

Now, the time for that hunt will be cut to a fraction, thanks to a new “fireball network,” made up of state-of-the-art all-sky cameras that allow for the automated detection of meteoritedropping fireballs in Western Canada, says University of Alberta scientist Chris Herd.

This advanced technology allows scientists to detect fireballs as they streak across the sky and triangulate the landing location of any rocks—meteorites—that make it to Earth’s surface. Scientists can then collect samples from the ground more rapidly than ever before, resulting in better-preserved meteorite samples and improved scientific analysis.

“The faster we can get the rocks and bring them to our curation

16

LIMITLESS

facility, the better the science we can do as a result,” explained Herd, professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and curator of the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection, one of the top facilities for preserving and studying meteorites in the world.

The new observatories are provided through an Australian Research Council grant to Phil Bland of Curtin University, in partnership with the University of Alberta. Each observatory contains two cameras—one for taking video and another for taking still photos. Each observatory is connected to supercomputers in Australia, which will analyze the data and notify of the potential meteorite fall area within an hour of the event. Over the next two years, Herd and his colleagues will deploy units across Alberta, Eastern British Columbia, and Western Saskatchewan, with the long term goal of expanding from the Rocky Mountains to Manitoba.

“The idea in the first year is to cover Alberta,” said Herd. “We’ll place about a dozen cameras spaced about 150 km apart across the province.” Thus far, Herd and his colleagues have identified

Albertan locations including Lake Louise Ski Resort, Lakeland College in Vermilion, Athabasca University, and the University of Alberta’s own Miquelon Lake Research Station.

The most recent camera installation took place at the Renewable Energy Learning Centre at Lakeland's campus in Vermilion, Alta, in October 2018. This location is ideal for meteorite monitoring because of its dark skies as well as Lakeland’s research expertise and state-of-the-art network connectivity at the site.

The network in Western Canada will be part of a larger, global network, including similar systems in Australia, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and within Canada, in southern Ontario.

Learn more the Desert Fireball Network around the world and the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection.

This story is republished courtesy of the University of Alberta.

Read the original story on the U of A website.

On Aug. 31 a bright fireball was observed west of Vermilion. The event was captured by a specially designed all-sky camera located at Lakeland College’s Renewable Energy Learning Centre. The fireball ended 20 km above Camrose. In spite of hours of exhaustive searching in the fall zone just south of Camrose, no meteorites have yet been recovered.

For the third consecutive year, Lakeland College was recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers.

“We’re proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top 75 Employers. We have exceptional people throughout our organization who have worked together to make Lakeland a leading post-secondary institution not only for students but also for employees,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland.

Lakeland supports employees who are new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments (to 95 per cent of salary) and offers the option to extend their leave into an unpaid leave of absence.

Employees can also take advantage of onsite daycare when they are ready to return to work.

Lakeland helps employees plan securely for the future with contributions to a defined benefit pension plan and retirement planning assistance. Lakeland also offers phased-in work options for those nearing retirement.

As part of the health benefits plan, employees can now allocate $950 per year to health and/or wellness spending accounts.

Photo: Lakeland College employees, Geretta Partington (left), and Dale Milne.

Lakeland is one of five post-secondary institutions in Alberta on the 2019 list.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

17

STUDENT-LE D CROP RESEARCH A WIN-WIN Lakeland has specialized in agricultural training since 1913, and the School of Agricultural Sciences continues to be a thriving and innovative part of the institution. Lakeland features Canada’s only Student-Managed Farm — Powered

by New Holland (SMF). Students, with faculty guidance, make all business and operational decisions relating to the various business units of the farm including crop production units, commercial beef and purebred cattle herds, a dairy unit and a sheep unit, and soon an equine science unit. The SMF also incorporates two student-led and scientist-supported research teams in commercial crop production and commercial beef production.

Second-year crop technology students (pictured) took the lead in crop research this year, by taking a closer look at field pea phosphorous fertility. As part of their SMF class, the SMF Crop Research team of eight students designed the project, and wrote a proposal to request funding. They were ultimately successful in receiving funding from Alberta Pulse Growers Zone 5. The students then designed the experimental protocols that were implemented by

18

LIMITLESS

Lakeland’d crop research scientist Laurel Thompson’s crop research team in the 2019 growing season.

“This is a great example of hands-on learning for the students,” says Thompson. “It is a win-win, because at the same time, the students are working directly with industry partners to address crop production opportunities.

The students were specifically digging deeper into whether or not currently available phosphorous fertility guidelines in field peas were appropriate for today’s higher yielding pea genetics".

The students were interested in both

the seed-safe amount of phosphorous to place with the pea seed, and also the absolute rate that would be economically profitable in the fertilizer side-band.

Students tested seed-placed phosphorous rates between zero and 60 lb/ac actual phosphorous in the first trial.

They were looking for crop responses such as seedling burn and seedling vigor.

Field peas are sensitive to seed-placed fertilizer injury, yet phosphorous is not mobile in the soil for seedling roots to access early in the growing season when it is most needed, so seed-placement

STUDENT-MANAGED FARM CELEBRATES

30TH ANNIVERSARY

In the second trial, students tested phosphorous rates in the side-band from zero to 60 lb/ac actual phosphorous, to see how total applied phosphorous rate affect yields, but more importantly, where the best economic return for farmers would be.

"We were looking for a facility to perform research in Zone 5. If we can give supervised Lakeland students a relevant learning opportunity, it’s a win-win situation. It’s been working out really well," says Michael Bury, chairman Zone 5 Alberta Pulse Growers.

The project was publicly toured to students, alumni, farmers and industry during crop research field days in summer 2019. The current second-year crop technology SMF Crop Research team are working with Thompson to analyze the data from these trials.

An ag tour club trip in the late 1980s introduced Lakeland College to the student-managed concept. By 1990, a group of instructors, along with the crop technology advisory panel, put a Lakeland spin on the concept with 500 acres.

Today, the SMF operates on more than 2,000 acres and includes crop technology, commercial beef, purebred beef, dairy, and sheep units, and soon an equine unit. The SMF also incorporates two student-led and scientist-supported research teams in commercial crop production and commercial beef production. With mentorship from faculty and staff advisors, our students are in charge of research, finances, production, management decisions, public relations, sustainability and more.

One instructor describes student-managed as students owning decisions. “They aren't just a driver or a wrench turner. Decisions come from critical thinking, applying data and field experience.”

SMF 30th anniversary celebrations wrap up at Homecoming 2020 on June 12-14 at the Vermilion campus.

YEARS

of a maximum safe rate of phosphorous with peas is of great interest. To measure the effects of increasing rates of seedplaced phosphorous, the students included important data collection events such as date of emergence, plant stand density, and root nodulation.

For more than a century, Lakeland College has been a hub for innovation in agriculture. From our humble beginning as a demonstration farm to an award-winning, global leader in studentmanaged learning, Lakeland College excels at developing leaders with experiential learning opportunities. One of those opportunities is the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF), which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2019-20.

Lakeland

STUDENT - MANAGED FARM Powered by New Holland

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College 19

2019 CROP TOURS

In 2019, a total of 1,024 experimental plots were seeded.

Small plot trials tested varieties and agronomic practices in 2019.

Rain or shine, three public tours were held. Over 100 farmers, students, alumni and industry members attended.

These trials encompass all major crop species grown in central Alberta.

On July 30 Lakeland College hosted its fourth annual Cereal Agronomy Field Day. Trent Whiting, Secan presenting on barley varieties.

20

LIMITLESS

Laurel Thompson, Lakeland's crop research scientist.

Dr. Alice WainwrightStewart, Lakeland's president and CEO.

Local producers attending the pea and canola field day.

2019 small plot trials focused on diversity of experiments and increased partnerships. Thirtynine experimental trials were conducted.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

21

CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROVIDES NEW PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS Rewarding is how one student describes her experience at Lakeland College’s inaugural Conference on Environmental Management.

Held on Feb. 26, 2019, at the Vermilion Regional Centre, the event featured capstone presentations by second-year bachelor of applied science: environmental management (BASEM) degree students, plenary speakers and more.

“They’ve created this awesome platform for us to present and they've created great networking opportunities,” says Stephanie Over, a BASEM student. “It was a great day and a great turnout.

Everything ran smoothly and I am very grateful that Lakeland has put in this much work to make such a great event – it’s been very rewarding to be a part of."

Over received the $500 Trace Associates award for her project presentation, Assessing Characteristic Species Establishment on Syncrude’s Upland Reclamation Areas. After spending eight months at the Vermilion campus with the BASEM program,

22

LIMITLESS

Over worked with Syncrude Canada’s research team in Fort McMurray, Alta., for eight months on practicum.

"I really enjoy environmental reclamation and Syncrude is doing environmental reclamation at the largest scale you could imagine. I don't think my experience would have been what it was without my team that I had there. They were all very welcoming and happy to answer any questions that I had,” says Over, who completed a bachelor of science degree at Trent University prior to enrolling at Lakeland. “This practicum experience provides you with that real-world work experience that you don't get from most degree programs.”

For Tara Voogd, who received the $500 Nikola Tesla Historical Society of Alberta award for her project presentation, the conference was an exciting opportunity to learn what other BASEM students had worked on during their practicum.

Voogd spent her practicum exploring the presence of two aquatic invasive species in Strathcona County, Alta. “It was great

STEPHANIE OVER AND TARA VOOGD WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR PRESENTATIONS.

“Lakeland’s program really helped prepare us with technical writing and reporting, and the methodology – all of the tiny details before you actually get out there and do all of the work.

It gave me so much knowledge on many different subjects that I could create a good sampling program that helped me to find the specimens that I did.”

BASEM students class photo

- Tara Voogd to be hands-on and working with live specimens,” she says.

Before taking the BASEM program, Voogd completed a biological sciences diploma at NAIT. “Lakeland’s program really helped prepare us with technical writing and reporting, and the methodology – all of the tiny details before you actually get out there and do all of the work. It gave me so much knowledge on many different subjects that I could create a good sampling program that helped me to find the specimens that I did.”

Pyper, an ecologist and science communicator with Fuse Consulting; Dr. Craig Farnden with Syncrude Canada; Michael Burak, a Lakeland College alum and program director at the Nature Conservancy of Canada; and Mara Erickson with the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance; as well as Alberta Institute of Agrologists and ECO Canada.

The 2020 Conference on Environmental Management will be held on March 19. For details visit: lakelandcollege.ca/CEM.

In addition to the practicum presentations, the conference included presentations from: Mathew Seanna Paul, BASEM student

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

23

EFFICIENT

BULLS LAKELAND'S STUDENTLED RESEARCH PROJECTS BENEFIT PRODUCERS

Lakeland College animal science technology students are making strides in helping agricultural producers improve their bottom line.

In fall 2018, students in the livestock research unit of the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) initiated a 70-day residual feed intake (RFI) test with 22 yearling bulls (Red/Black Angus), in partnership with Animal Inframetrics Inc. To complete this custom feed efficiency assessment, they used Lakeland’s GrowSafe automatic feeding system and infrared thermography (IRT) at the G.N. Sweet Livestock Research Facility on the Vermilion campus.

With guidance and mentorship from Dr. Obioha Durunna, Lakeland’s livestock research scientist, students collected the appropriate performance and economic data. They learned how to run cost-benefit analyses on both systems.

24

LIMITLESS

The project helped students assess the potential application of IRT for profiling cattle for RFI. Developing alternative tools for screening or profiling animals is important because of cost implications. Assessing the trait requires about 50 to 70 days of feeding trial and is usually conducted after weaning, therefore finding practical proxies that can be used on younger calves or for much shorter periods will increase productivity and sustainability of the cattle industry.

“Engaging students with emerging technologies is an essential component of learning at Lakeland,” says Dr. Durunna, a geneticist who previously worked for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Livestock Gentec which is based at the University of Alberta.

His past research on feed efficiency and feeding behaviors was published in numerous research journals.

The RFI profiles of the bulls supported the producer’s breeding

Iris Ho In Cheang (left), agricultural research technician, Dr. Obioha Durunna (middle), Lakeland’s livestock research scientist and Brady Miller (right), agricultural research technician.

and culling decisions. Efficient bulls that have other desirable economic traits attract premiums during bull sales. Because the RFI is moderately heritable, the animal’s feed efficiency ability can be passed on to their progeny.

“These projects help our students develop valuable research skills and allow them to play a key role in developing economical management options for the beef industry.

Overall, these applied research opportunities improve their employability,” says Dr. Durunna.

This year, in addition to the recently completed RFI test, SMF students will have the opportunity to use the new SmartFeedPro (SFP) systems for RFI assessments and supplement research.

The SFP units were recently secured using funding support from the Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s College and Community Innovation program.

The SFP units will be used in different research trials in the beef pens, sheep units, Dairy Learning Centre or in pastures. The addition of these units towards expanding the applied research capacity on feed efficiency and supplementation research in beef, dairy and sheep using these systems is unique to Lakeland. This equipment will increase the scope of Lakeland’s multi-year livestock trials.

Every applied research initiative undertaken at Lakeland is geared towards supporting Alberta’s future economy by helping industry partners capitalize on new opportunities and find solutions to current challenges.

The livestock research unit is one of six SMF units managed by animal science technology students. The other units are commercial beef, purebred beef, dairy, sheep and equine.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

25

LIVESTOCK RESEARCH RESULTS

TRAVEL TO CHINA LAKELAND COLLEGE LIVESTOCK RESEARCH PROJECT RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

Dr. Obi Durunna, Lakeland College’s livestock research scientist, was excited to be invited to present some of the college's research findings at the 2019 Cattle Science Conference (CSC) in Tai’an city, Shandong province, China.

The conference is organized every two years by the Cattle Science Committee, Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (CAAV). The 2019 conference was hosted by the Shandong Agricultural University.

The Cattle Science conference was instituted in 1986 and has been hosted in different Chinese cities over the years. It is regarded as the most comprehensive cattle meeting in China with presentations showcasing scientific research in beef/dairy cattle, as well as in other members of the Bos genus such as the yak and buffalo. There were wide-ranging topics of interest to attendees involved in research, teaching, extension and other commercial activities related to the bovines. This international conference provides a platform for research scientists around the world to engage, share research ideas and collaborate on research projects pertaining to cattle. There were about 500 attendees from several institutions around the world including Canada, United States of America, China, Poland, Denmark, Germany and Australia, among others.

26

LIMITLESS

Dr. Durunna presented results from the “Core Body Temperature (CBT)” project during the plenary session of the conference. The project (funded by Sask-ADF, ALMA and SBIDF) was executed in collaboration with universities of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Calgary, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture. It evaluated whether some metabolic substrates, microbiome species abundance and rumen temperature profiles (from rumen thermistors, Thermobolus®) could predict the feed efficiency profile of cattle. The project profiled about 80 steers per year for production and feed-efficiency traits over two years (2016-2018) at the University of Saskatchewan’s Termuende ranch near Lanigan, Sask. During the trial, all steers received the Thermobolus®, while half of the steers were also fitted with a rectal temperature datalogger. Body temperature was collected every five minutes in both devices.

One of the objectives was to evaluate whether rumen temperature will be a good predictor of feed efficiency. Previous studies showed that differences in surface skin temperature (measured from infrared scans) were associated with differences in feed efficiency profiles. The study proposed that using core body temperature, i.e. deep body temperatures measured from the rumen, would provide more reliable temperature

DR. DURUNNA'S INTERNATIONAL PRESENTATION TIPS: “The China trip was exhilarating and a great learning experience on traditional Chinese cultures even within the scientific community. If you are traveling to China for such academic purposes, there are certain things you need to consider.” – Dr. Durunna

1

2 profiles indicative of feed efficiency than the skin temperature.

The results showed significant differences in average rumen temperature between animals with High (inefficient) and Low (efficient) RFI profiles, but the results were not consistent across different seasons. The study also showed a high correlation (65 per cent) between rumen and rectal temperatures. Validating some of these emerging profiling tools is important because part of Dr. Durunna's research interest explores practical low-cost tools or telemetric applications that can improve the bottom line of livestock producers under extensive systems.

A highlight of Dr. Durunna's trip was presenting to the host group, Innovation Team of Cattle Genetic Breeding (ITCGB) at the Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science in Beijing. The group was interested to learn about profiling animals for RFI and the production implications.

"The team gave me a virtual, real-time tour of some cattle farms and a tour of their facility on campus. We also climbed the famous Mount Tai (Taishan) in Tai'an and visited the Summer Palace in Beijing, which are exquisite displays of Chinese artistry and architecture," says Dr. Durunna.

It is important to do some research about the conference or event. For example, even though the CSC was an international conference, the majority of the research presentation slides and speeches were delivered in Chinese.

There was no simultaneous translation offered at the CSC. It was expected that non-Chinese presentation slides be translated to Chinese given that majority of the audience was Chinese and was not fluent in English.

Certain traditions and cultures are maintained even within the academic circles. Presenters usually bowed before delivering their presentations, as a show of respect or to greet the audience or both. Luckily, I was not the first presenter and caught on before it was my turn.

3

Using two hands to exchange business cards is seen as a sign of respect. It is also important to have your business card translated in Chinese on the back as not everyone can read English.

4

Download translation apps and other relevant apps before you arrive. Once you arrive in China, you may not be able to communicate with the conventional messaging, search engines or social media apps like Yahoo, Gmail, Google or Facebook.

5

Setting up a WeChat account on your phone before embarking on the trip is a good idea. WeChat is a Chinese multipurpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

27

LIVESTOCK FACILITY

GROWING Dr. Obioha Durunna, Livestock research scientist

28

LIMITLESS

Livestock production-efficiency research at Lakeland College received a makeover this past summer with upgrades to the existing GrowSafeÂŽ Feed Intake (GFI) technology and the addition of two four-position GrowSafe Beef (GSB) units.

The new equipment and upgrades will improve Lakeland’s beef research activities and testing services for clients.

Identifying animals that are feed efficient has economic and environmental benefits. Feed-efficient animals consume less feed for similar maintenance and body gain levels as their contemporaries and have less carbon footprint. Profiling animals for Residual Feed Intake (RFI), i.e. the feed-efficiency measure of choice, requires two major activities. The first activity is measuring individual actual feed intake and the second is measuring periodic individual body weight used to calculate growth rate.

The GFI and GSB systems provide telemetric options that improve intake and body gain data collection. Both systems will support applied research activities in feed efficiency profiling and supplementation research.

The GFI units were upgraded from the 6000 to the 8000 technology. The new 8000 version has advanced features and functionalities, including improved power management, longer range connectivity and less interference from external factors. The automatic noise detection capability will improve system connectivity and communication, troubleshooting and overall performance with improved data quality. The improvement in data quality is also associated with the transition from analog to digital measurements, longer wireless radio connectivity and real-time self-electronic diagnosis. This maximizes the amount of data collected during feeding trials by reducing the number of lost days (during trials) due to system glitches, poor data quality or integrity.

While most producers may be familiar with the GFI system that measures individual feed intake of each animal, the GSB is new. The GSB is a technology that continuously measures the partial bodyweight of any cattle that visit the water trough to drink. The partial front quarter body weights are measured every second, for the duration the A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

29

HOW DOES IT WORK?

DATA CAPTURE

DECISION SUPPORT

DATA ANALYSIS

animal spends drinking. This means that we can collect several data points on body weight and gain for each animal daily. It complements the GFI system because it supplies additional data required for calculating growth or feed efficiency traits such as average daily gain, feed conversion ratio or RFI. Conventionally calculating these traits requires running each animal through the chute or weighing cage several times within the test period. For example, a traditional 10-week test period to measure RFI requires each animal to have gone through the chute at least eight times, two consecutive times at the onset and two consecutive times at the end of the test. These routines may introduce some stress on the animals in addition to increased costs associated with labor resources or repair and maintenance of handling facilities.

days, which significantly reduces the cost of testing individual animals. Because the GSB provides an estimate of the average daily gain of each animal, it serves as a production and health monitoring tool.

For production, the producer can assess growth rate and make more accurate marketing decisions. On the other hand, the system can help the producer in early detection of sick animals. Apart from growth and health information, the system will also give us additional information on other behaviors of each animal such as the drinking visits. A new interesting feature of the GSB is a spraying device that automatically marks a sick animal with a special spray paint so that the animal can be identified quickly and treated. This reduces losses associated with significant body weight decline or mortalities when sick animals are not treated early.

With the GSB, the multiple daily partial bodyweight measurements significantly reduce the number of times each animal is handled for full body weight measurement. More importantly, it reduces the number of days required to calculate RFI from 70 days to 50

These upgrades on the GFI system and the installation of GSB units will also enhance the training offered to students, enhance animal welfare and improve the overall efficiency of services provided to other research centres, breed associations and livestock producers.

30

LIMITLESS

PORTRAITS OF INNOVATION Lakeland College is proud to highlight a sampling of innovation happening in a wide breadth of academic and operational areas.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College 31

INTRODUCTORY CREE COURSE Lakeland College offered lessons on Cree language and culture during spring 2019.

Participants of this introductory course learned structure, phonics and conversational Cree. Taught by Clint Chocan, Lakeland’s former manager of Indigenous support services, the lessons provided insights into Cree culture.

WILLIAM YAP CICAN WINNER William Yap’s exceptional commitment to diversity and inclusion, and capacity to develop connections and open minds at Lakeland College is what makes him one of Canada’s top student leaders. The fourth-year business degree student received the bronze Leadership Excellence Award for Students from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) during CICan’s annual conference in Niagara Falls, Ont. on May 6, 2019.

"It's an honour to be nominated, let alone be chosen as one of Colleges and Institutes Canada's top three national student leaders of 2019,” says Yap. In addition to receiving the award, Yap was also a conference presenter. “I'm glad to be able to share Lakeland College's successes with regards to accepting gender diversity by co-hosting a workshop at this year’s CICan conference. This opportunity shows that the location and size of an institution does not hold back the potential for dramatic social change.”

Yap’s session, Gender Diversity: An Innovative Discussion, illuminates corners of underlying beliefs and bridges the gap that separates all gender expressions. Participants discussed the LGBTQ+ community, safe spaces, identities, allyship and more. The hope is institutions will adopt and cultivate ideas that create more inclusive campus atmospheres.

Yap pulls inspiration from his experience organizing Lakeland’s first Pride Awareness Week in 2018 and founding the college’s LGBTQ+ student club. He also spearheaded a Coming Out Stories event and was instrumental in implementing safe space signage and training throughout Lakeland. Yap says he’s proud to have helped spark a revolution at Lakeland and bring LGBTQ+ identity to the forefront.

32

LIMITLESS

“For First Nations people, spirituality is the connection of everything that exists – culture, ceremony, nature, kinship, language, all creation,” he says. “In the Cree language, there is no literal translation for most words, it’s all about meaning. If you don’t understand the root of the word or the phrase that you are trying to express, then you’re not able to translate it.”

A variety of learning techniques and strategies were used to aid participants in their studies, including chants and songs, visual and audio aids, and total physical response exercises. “The students will have a good understanding of what to listen for and how to develop, not only words, but phrases as well. By the time they are done, they should be able to form some sentences for conversation,” says Chocan.

ENVIRO CLUB ISSUES ECOBRICK CHALLENGE With increasing reports of wildlife consuming and dying from plastic pollution, the student club challenged everyone at Lakeland to build an ecobrick.

“The idea is to grab a regular plastic bottle and fill it with single-use plastics. Instead of it ending up in landfills or waterways, we are making them useful by compacting them in a bottle to make an ecobrick. We will then build structures with these bricks,” says Jeanette McGlynn, a club member and environmental sciences student.

Ecobricks are popular in other parts of the world, including South Africa where they have been used to build schools and houses. The Enviro Club plans to create and collect enough ecobricks to build a couch.

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE: LAKELAND PARTS TECHNICIAN IS A TOP APPRENTICE Parts technician Alicia Harris-Kopeck, Class of 2018, was honoured with a 2018 Top Apprentice Award at the 22nd annual Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Awards of Excellence on Sept. 13, 2019. She attended with apprentices from across the province who were recognized for their skill and dedication to their trade.

“I was surprised when I found out I received a Top Apprentice Award. This award puts the work I do into perspective: my work ethic was recognized and I’m doing something right,” says Harris-Kopeck.

The award is presented to apprentices who achieve the highest overall marks in their final period of training and who receive strong employer recommendations. Harris-Kopeck is a parts technician at Silverwood Toyota Lloydminster and has been a member of their team for four years. Harris-Kopeck says she’s thankful for the support from her husband and two children, as well as Toyota and her manager, Carman Gartner.

Haris-Kopeck’s passion for vehicles is rooted in her childhood.

She joined her dad around the race track, and then tinkered in auto shops and owns her own racecar. She says it felt natural to pursue a career in the auto industry. Harris-Kopeck enrolled in Lakeland’s parts technician apprenticeship program, which furthered her knowledge and skills.

“My family is very supportive of me as I pursued this as a career.

I loved attending Lakeland. It meant I was able to still raise my family, while getting a quality education,” she says.

Mark Okrainetz, an instructor with Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology, adds, “she was an exceptional student in a competitive class. Alicia was among other students just as proficient as her. I think that pushed her to stay competitive.”

Eleven Lakeland parts technician students have won the top apprentice award for their trade. Okrainetz credits this success to intimate class sizes, accessible instructors and the exceptional instructional facilities at the college’s Vermilion campus.

UT EDUCATION STUDENTS LEARN ROBOTICS FROM LEGENDARY STUDENTS The tables turned for university transfer (UT) students pursuing a bachelor of education degree. As the pupils of local techsavvy Grade 6 students, they received a lesson in robotics.

Tech Force students from Winston Churchill School visited the Lloydminster campus on March 27, 2019, to demonstrate their robotics knowledge, and guide Lakeland students through interactive stations that exemplify computational thinking in education.

Lloydminster Public School Division that promotes pattern recognition, abstraction, logical and sequential thinking, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. STEAM represents a cross-curricular approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.

“This experience proves we should acknowledge that students are capable of doing so much more than what we think they can do in Grade 6. I think it’s so amazing that kids can build robots and create circuits, and we should encourage that growth in the classroom,” says Joshua Lang, a second-year UT student.

UT students absorbed hands-on lessons on computational coding for different purposes, including dancing robots, video game development, stop-motion videos, circuitry and more.

Tech Force is a division wide STEAM club designed by the A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College 33

LATE RUSTLER COACH INDUCTED INTO CCAA HALL OF FAME In June, Phil Allen was inducted posthumously into the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Hall of Fame in the Coach Category.

Allen had a remarkable 28-year collegiate coaching career, serving as the head coach of the men’s basketball teams at SAIT, MacEwan and Lakeland College. Eleven times his teams advanced to the national championships, winning gold twice.

Allen joined Lakeland in 2003 as a business instructor and head coach of the Rustlers men’s basketball team. In 2008,

after leading the Rustlers to the nationals in Quebec, he retired from coaching with a record 805 wins to his name, the most by any post-secondary basketball coach in Canada. He was named the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Coach of the Year three times and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Coach of the Year once.

After serving as vice president of advancement for five years, Allen retired from Lakeland in 2014. He passed away in 2016.

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN In 2018, Dr. Obioha Durunna was appointed adjunct professor at the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan (USask).

Adjunct professors are individuals whose knowledge, expertise and skills will support the host institution’s graduate students’ research work, courses and programs. They are expected to be actively engaged in research, supervise graduate students and teach graduate classes. The adjunct appointment raises the profile of Lakeland College through research activities and academic publications that support livestock industry. Dr. Durunna's status enables Lakeland to participate in the training of highly qualified personnel.

Dr. Durunna’s 2019 research technician, Iris Ho In Cheang, was recently accepted to pursue her MSc degree at USask, co-supervised by Dr. Durunna and Dr. Bart Lardner. Her thesis will focus on the production and health outcomes associated with feeding garlic-infused mineral supplements to cattle. She will take formal classes at the USask main campus in Saskatoon but will conduct her research projects at Lakeland. Data collection for the first year has been concluded.

Additionally, the adjunct position creates the opportunity for other Lakeland’s staff accepted into graduate programs (Animal and Poultry Science dept.) to conduct their research project at the college.

34

LIMITLESS

ENVIRO SCIENCES STUDENTS GO-TO-BAT FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES Lakeland College environmental sciences students restored a bat roost that formerly housed hundreds of bats.

Unfortunately, the large bat colony disappeared after the outer planks on the house near Tulliby Lake were stolen. This eliminated the chamber between walls where bats could shelter during the summer. Bats naturally roost on large deciduous trees, often behind loose bark or in cavities created by woodpeckers, and inside of dead/ dying trees. Bat houses provide similar habitat to those natural roosts.

"Such a large colony was likely a maternity roost for the endangered little brown myotis (bat), where the females will nurture their pups into the summer months,” says Darcey Shyry, a Lakeland environmental sciences instructor. Shyry is also a regional coordinator for the Alberta Community Bat Program (ACBP). "These maternity roosts are critically important habitat for bats and the loss of such a large roost would likely have a negative effect on the local population."

There are nine species of bats in Alberta. The little brown myotis and the northern myotis are now classified as endangered because of a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome (WNS) that’s killing bats by the millions in Canada and the United States. The recent finding of WNS in Manitoba and Washington State are an ominous indicator that there are only a few years before this disease will be killing Alberta bats.

Chris Elder, the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program coordinator with the County of Vermilion River, was key in connecting landowner Shane Belsheim with Lakeland and the ACBP. When Belsheim mentioned the loss of his large bat colony that had been active in the house for decades, Elder, a Lakeland alumnus and previous member of the Enviro Club, knew there was interest in bat conservation at the college and made the connection.

"Everyone involved in the project had so much fun, knowing that we will possibly be helping the endangered bats of Alberta, I feel makes it all worthwhile. This project has increased my interest in bats. I’ve considered pursuing bat biology as a future career," says Tanner Zarowny, an environmental sciences diploma student. Zarowny is the student lead for the Enviro Club Bat Projects.

GLOBAL-TEACHING EXPERIENCE MAKES LASTING IMPACT Sixteen university transfer (UT) students took their lessons plans to Mexico on an educational mission trip in 2019. This trip marks the ninth time UT students have taken the lead and their studies beyond the classroom in Mexico.

They travelled to Ensenada for a once-in-a-lifetime teaching opportunity where they introduced local children to Canadian culture.

“I was very excited to be going on this trip. I wanted to experience teaching in a different country. My lesson was about Canadian hockey and I had the kids colour a jersey. I have a new appreciation for other cultures since taking this trip,” says Kaelyn Dyck, UT student.

The students had to work through the language barrier when they visited explains Tina Johnson, a UT instructor. “Communication becomes a challenge when trying to instruct young learners.

Our students learned how to communicate without using words.

It’s a great skill to have for when they have a classroom of their own, especially with immigrant families coming into Canada.”

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

35

Lakeland honoured as 2019 NKBA College of the Year The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) named Lakeland College the 2019 NKBA College of the Year for its interior design technology program.

Lakeland previously won this accolade in 2017.

“Our interior design technology diploma program is very diverse and comprehensive. We do not set out to win awards, but when our students and the program receive an award, it is an affirmation: it means that people across North America appreciate what they do. Every award is a confirmation of something good the program has done for the students and for Lakeland College, and that motivates our school to push the students to be their best each year,” says Dave King, dean of Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology.

The college’s NKBA accredited program was also one of five programs from across North America recognized with a 2019 Excellence in Education award.

“Our students continue to show strong commitment to their education here at Lakeland. We are proud of their success.

36

LIMITLESS

Interior design technology instructors at Lakeland College work as a team to facilitate student learning,” says Fiona McLeod, department head of Lakeland’s interior design technology program.

The 2019 competition, which was sponsored by Cambria, tasked students to design either a bathroom or a kitchen for a newly-married couple in their 30s.

The design requirements included a Cambria product and smart-home technology, as well as an earth-meetsmodern theme. The competition attracted entries from 27 colleges and universities from across North America.

Through student design competitions, Lakeland students have collectively won more than $103,000 (US) in scholarships over the last 16 years.

The NKBA is an international association of kitchen and bathroom dealers, design firms, distributors and other individuals and companies serving the interests of the kitchen and bathroom industry.

Lakeland’s winning-streak continued in the NKBA student design competition, marking 16 consecutive years of student award winners. Emily Hartley (pictured above) placed first for her kitchen design and received a $5,000 scholarship. Shaelynn Brisbourne's bathroom design was third. She received a $1,000 scholarship.

Hartley and Brisbourne will be recognized at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their winning designs will also be featured in NKBA’s Inspiration + Innovation magazine.

Lakeland’s team was one of 11 teams from five post-secondary institutions from Alberta and Saskatchewan that competed.

Darla Stepanick and Cole Ambrock, agribusiness instructors and the team’s co-coaches, are thrilled about the outcome.

“The moment they came out of the presentation room, I knew they nailed it. They had to complete a strategic business plan for an American dairy company,” says Stepanick, noting that Lakeland’s solution was improving a marketing strategy to focus on wholesome products and passion for quality food.

LAKELAND WINS COR VAN RAAY AGRIBUSINESS CASE COMPETITION Lakeland College agribusiness students earned first place at the fourth annual Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Case Competition in Lethbridge in 2018.

“We were completely in shock when they announced our names. We thought of ourselves as underdogs, so to come out on top was amazing,” says Hannah Olsen, a member of Lakeland’s case team.

Teams had four hours to analyze a case, develop a solution and prepare a 15-minute presentation to three judges – a University of Lethbridge professor, a Lethbridge College professor and a local lawyer.

“When we found out it was a dairy case, we knew it would play to our team’s strengths. Two of us have dairy experience, it was something we were excited and confident about.” Olsen says.

It was their teamwork and passion for agriculture that got them to the top spot, says Stepanick. “The judges approached me afterward and said our students had blown their minds saying, ‘They had an intimacy with agriculture,’ You can know agriculture but it’s the students that live and breathe it that stand out, that was the difference.”

LAKELAND HAIRSTYLISTS ROCK THE BEST OF THE PRAIRIES PODIUM Both a Lakeland hairstyling student and alumna are among the best in the prairies after claiming spots on the podium.

Student Monica Mathiot earned third place for her punk-rock inspired hairstyle at the 2019 Best of the Prairies Makeup and Hair Competition in Saskatoon, Sask. Kelsey Saulteaux, Class of 2018, earned first place.

FLIGHT SCHOOL Seven Lakeland College staff were trained by Draganfly Innovations Inc. to complete their drone pilot certificate.

New Transport Canada drone regulations came into effect June 2019. Lakeland owns two Draganfly Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's (UAV). The UAVs are used for teaching and research at the college.

“I love the punk-rock style, I went into the competition confident and I thought I did well. When I heard my name called, I was happy to place,” Mathiot says. “Our instructors really helped us to master hair techniques and styles. With this competition they helped us with everything – even how to organize our suitcases and equipment.”

Lakeland’s student-led salon is where future hairstylists perfect their hair and management skills that get them hired. Students practice what they learn in class – by working with real clients at the student-led salon.

A Celebration of Research and Innovation at Lakeland College

37

LAKELAND COLLEGE JOINS

ACADEMICS WITHOUT BORDERS’ NETWORK A commitment to its communities is among Lakeland’s core values - as part of the Academics Without Borders (AWB) Network, those communities now extend throughout the world.

TRADES DEAN APPOINTED TO PROVINCIAL TASK FORCE Lakeland College School of Trades and Technology dean Dave King joins the 19-member Skills for Jobs Task Force.

The Government of Alberta’s Skills for Jobs Task Force brings together post-secondary professionals, industry leaders and government representatives to examine the ways the province’s apprenticeship education could be extended to assist with meeting labour demands.

Lakeland is committed to learner success and excellence, and King brings these values as well as an essential rural perspective to the task force.

“I look forward to representing a rural Alberta post-secondary perspective and how important this initiative is to our region and others just like us,” King says. “We want our students to have a very open choice about their future and that includes all facets of post-secondary education, in which skilled trades play a tremendous role.”

The task force will offer the provincial government recommendations on how to strengthen enrolment in apprenticeship programs, expand the apprenticeship model of classroom education with on-the-job learning, and offer a number of strategies to help Albertans find rewarding and fulfilling careers. A preliminary report is to be completed in 2020.

AWB’s Network is a consortium of Canadian post-secondary institutions that support AWB’s mission to work with volunteer academics to help developing countries build the capacity of their post-secondary institutions to drive development and improve the quality of life in communities around the world.

Through its membership in the Network, Lakeland faculty and staff will have special access to partnership opportunities provided by AWB through the organization's existing relationships with institutions and countries around the globe.

Faculty will also be able to propose projects to AWB in conjunction with their post-secondary partners in the developing world.

“At Lakeland College, our vision is to transform the future through innovative learning. We value community, learner success and excellence, which is why we are proud to partner with Academics Without Border,” says Dr. Alice WainwrightStewart, president and CEO of Lakeland. “This partnership will provide opportunities for our faculty to share their knowledge and support higher education around the world, and it will also help them to support international students at Lakeland.”

“It is a real pleasure to welcome Lakeland College to the AWB Network of Canadian post-secondary institutions. The knowledge and experience that Lakeland’s faculty and staff can offer as volunteers is invaluable to the colleges and universities we collaborate with in the developing world - it will make a real difference. In addition, the AWB Network links the campus to like-minded institutions across Canada and builds connections in other parts of the world that will enrich its programs and the student experience,” says Greg Moran, AWB’s executive director.

38

LIMITLESS

UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL

At Lakeland, you lead today.

As a global leader in student-managed learning, Lakeland College provides a solid foundation for you to invest in yourself and your future.

• Innovate in and beyond the classroom with any one of our 50+ programs.

• Put your ideas into action.

• Excel beyond your comfort zone.

• Steer your educational course.

• Launch your career path.

Campuses in Vermilion, Alta. & Lloydminster Alta./Sask.

1.800.661.6490 | lakelandcollege.ca

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

• Agribusiness

• Animal Health Technology

• Animal Science Technology majors

• Beef

• Dairy

• Equine

• Livestock

• Bachelor of Applied Science: Agriculture Technology

• Crop Technology

• General Agriculture

• Veterinary Medical Assistant BUSINESS

• Accounting Technician

• Administrative Professional

• Business Administration majors

• Accounting

• General Business

• Real Estate Appraisal & Assessment

• Small Business & Entrepreneurship

• Bachelor of Commerce

• Bachelor of Management ENERGY

• Heavy Oil Operations Technician

• Heavy Oil Power Engineering

• Petroleum Management

• 2nd Class Power Engineering ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

• Bachelor of Applied Science: Environmental Management

• Environmental Sciences majors

• Conservation & Restoration Ecology

• Environmental Conservation & Reclamation

• Water Conservation & Management • Wildlife & Fisheries Conservation • Renewable Energy & Conservation (Online)

FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES

• Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services

• Emergency Services Technology

• Firefighter Training HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Esthetician

• Hairstyling

• Health Care Aide HUMAN SERVICES

• American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Studies

• Animal Assisted Wellness

• Child & Youth Care

• Community Mental Health

• Early Learning & Child Care/ Éducation à la petite enfance

• Educational Assistant/Aide-élève

• Sign Language Interpretation INTERIOR DESIGN TECHNOLOGY ONLINE & BLENDED LEARNING

• Animal Assisted Wellness

• American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Studies

• Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services

• Child & Youth Care

• Community Mental Health

• Dual Credit

• Early Learning & Child Care/ Éducation à la petite enfance

• Educational Assistant/Aide-élève

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Lakeland College Applied Research 5707 College Drive Vermilion Alberta T9X 1K5 Canada Post Publication Mail PM40009099

• Firefighter Training • Parts Apprenticeship (Years 1 & 3) • Power Engineering (3rd & 4th class) • Renewable Energy & Conservation

TRADES & TECHNOLOGY APPRENTICESHIP

• Apprenticeship

• Automotive Service Technician

• Carpenter

• Electrician

• Gasfitter- Class A

• Heavy Equipment Technician

• Instrument & Control Technician

• Parts Technician

• Steamfitter-Pipefitter

• Welder

• Pre-employment

• Electrician

• Instrumentation & Control

• Welder STREET ROD TECHNOLOGIES UNIVERSITY TRANSFER

• Bachelor of Arts

• Bachelor of Commerce

• Bachelor of Education

• Bachelor of General Studies

• Bachelor of Science

• Bachelor of Social Work

• Pre-Dental Hygiene

• Pre-Dentistry

• Pre-Medical Lab Science

• Pre-Nursing

• Pre-Pharmacy

• Pre-Veterinary Medicine