Breaking Ground on the Future of Agricultural Education
A major step forward for education and agriculture in southeastern Alberta is officially underway. Prairie Rose Public Schools has broken ground on the Yuill School of Agriculture, a first-of-its-kind high school program designed to connect students with hands-on, career-focused learning in one of the region’s most vital industries.
This innovative project is the result of strong community collaboration. Partnerships with Neubauer Farms, the Government of Alberta, and the Yuill Family Foundation have brought the vision to life. The Foundation contributed land valued at more than $1 million, along with an additional $600,000 toward construction, an investment that reflects its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth close to home.
The Yuill School of Agriculture will offer students in Grades 10–12 a unique, immersive learning experience. Programming will span plant and animal sciences, heavy equipment operation and maintenance, culinary arts, horticulture, and agricultural entrepreneurship. By blending classroom learning with real-world application, students will gain practical skills that prepare them for both immediate careers and future post-secondary pathways.
Set on approximately 76 acres, the site will function as a working farm, complete with livestock such as chickens, hogs, and goats, as well as crop production. Students will be involved in every stage of the process, from raising and growing to harvesting and selling products through a community-facing farm store. This full-cycle approach ensures students graduate with not only knowledge, but real, applicable experience.
In addition to hands-on training, the program will offer dual-credit opportunities and industry certifications, particularly in operating the heavy machinery essential to modern agriculture. These pathways will help students transition seamlessly into the workforce or continue their education with a strong foundation already in place.
More than just a school, the Yuill School of Agriculture represents an investment in the future of rural communities. By equipping students with in-demand skills and fostering a deeper connection to the land, the initiative helps ensure the next generation is prepared to lead, innovate, and sustain Alberta’s agricultural sector.
The school is expected to welcome its first students in fall 2027, marking the beginning of a new era in locally rooted, forward-thinking education.
