Over 260 community members, industry leaders and alumni gathered at Feast on the Farm presented by Cenovus Energy on Aug. 15 for a sold-out evening that raised $82,000 in support of student-led initiatives.
"Feast on the Farm is always such a highlight of our summer here at Lakeland," says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. "It's an opportunity to meet with new and familiar faces, to reconnect with our community, and all for such an amazing cause. We pride ourselves on providing our students with experiential, handson learning opportunities that bring our students beyond the classroom and prepare them to excel in the workplace. The support we receive at this event helps us make our students' experiences that much more dynamic, hands-on and exciting."
The evening's program featured a panel of four students and recent graduates from business, agricultural sciences, university transfer and interior design technology who discussed their Lakeland experiences. Jordyn Pollard, rising country star, Saskatchewan Country Music award winner and alumna of Lakeland's university transfer program, was the live entertainment for the evening, singing country favourites and some of her own singles.
"Developing future-ready youth through hands-on learning opportunities is a key social investment focus area for Cenovus," says Craig Pardy, senior manager of operations and maintenance at Cenovus. "That is why Feast on the Farm is such an important event for the company, as it helps bring experiential learning opportunities to life to support the next generation of agricultural talent and growth in the Lloydminster region."
Feast on the Farm began in 2016. Over $342,000 has been raised at these events, all of which directly funds studentled projects that enhance experiential learning on campus. In the 2023-24 academic year, student projects included a wellness symposium for students and community members, the first annual Border Beauty Showcase, in which students and industry professionals competed in a variety of hair and makeup competitions and national and international trips for students to gain hands-on experience in their fields.
