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Donor Spotlight
ALUMNUS SUPPORTS STUDENT-LED INITIATIVE
WITH PURCHASE OF
When Roy Kubica learned Lakeland College students had a vision to improve farm operations but no funds to bring it to life, he came to the rescue – with a brand new Demco 1050 grain cart. “The idea to purchase a grain cart came from our students,” says Geoff Brown, dean of agricultural sciences at Lakeland. “One of the great things about the learning experiences available through the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) is students have to plan for the future and ask what needs to be done for long-term success. They developed a proposal for the cart and we are so appreciative that once again, Roy Kubica – an alumnus and long-time supporter – stepped forward to bring our students’ ideas to life.” The grain cart, unveiled at the Vermilion campus on Nov. 19, will increase efficiency on the field. It is equipped with scales to weigh each load of grain. It will hold about 1,000 bushels and works with the Agrimatics Libra grain cart inventory platform. Weights will automatically download into this program so the combine operator will see how large His generosity made it possible for us to grow our campus farm and I know so many students have been helped by his ongoing support of our awards program.
- Dr. Alice WainwrightStewart
each load of grain is as it’s unloading. The information is stored in the Libra program, allowing inventory tracking. “This addition to our fleet adds so many new opportunities for hands-on learning and technological training, which is the backbone of Lakeland’s education system – to learn by doing,” says Tyson Krpan, second-year crop technology student and analysis manager on the SMF crop unit. “We will easily and accurately be able to track our yield and grain inventory, increase efficiency in the bin yard, and have much more confidence when making decisions about grain contracts.” Kubica’s $80,000 gift supported the purchase of the new grain cart as well as any required student leadership initiatives around its use. “When I started farming, there were so many things I learned at Lakeland that I used in the field,” says Kubica, Class of 1966. “I had taken animal husbandry, fertilizers, soils – and we were using all of it. I never married and have no children, so some of the income I’ve generated over the years, I am using to support Lakeland. That assistance is now being used by students to support their future.”
This is far from the first major contribution Kubica has made to Lakeland. His past support allowed Lakeland to expand its land base. In 2015, he began the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Scholarship and began the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Bursary in 2020.
“Throughout the years, Roy has been so supportive of our college and students,” says Dr. Alice WainwrightStewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “His generosity made it possible for us to grow our campus farm and I know so many students have been helped by his ongoing support of our awards program. This grain cart is another wonderful contribution, one that will enhance hands-on learning opportunities for our students using the latest agricultural technology. We are so grateful for his ongoing support and are thankful for all he has done for Lakeland and our future ag leaders.”
FCC INVESTS
Lakeland College students have access to more cutting-edge agricultural technology and work-integrated experiences thanks to Farm Credit Canada (FCC).
FCC gifted Lakeland $10,000 to purchase a MobiLab unit and supplies from METOS Canada for Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland at the Vermilion campus. Designed to measure nutrients in the soil and plants, this integrated technology will make data attainable in real-time for Lakeland’s bachelor of agriculture technology students and research team. “On behalf of the college, we thank Farm Credit Canada for investing in our agricultural sciences students and research team. This MobiLab technology adds a critical layer of data to their work and provides another avenue for work-integrated learning opportunities,” says Geoff Brown, Lakeland’s dean for the School of Agricultural Sciences. “The MobiLab technology provides on-farm analysis relevant to producer-based concerns in our region that are hard to identify. We’re excited to see this technology put to use to enhance productivity and sustainability in key commercial crops.” Students will use this technology to analyze samples and interpret results, allowing them to make informed decisions and create a positive return on investment for the application of nutrients. In addition, students can evaluate the total costs and return of using MobiLab compared to conventional nutrient analysis methods. The MobiLab will integrate with Lakeland’s existing METOS weather and soil moisture monitoring stations used by students to make actionable risk management and profit-producing decisions that may not be apparent without this layer of data. The new technology also augments Lakeland’s participation in the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network activities, demonstrating the feasibility of creating a digital twin of the field. “FCC is proud to support Lakeland College’s MobiLab unit. Students will learn not only how to use this key piece of agricultural technology but also the value it has in elevating the success of any farming operation,” says Diana Laturnus, manager, Special Projects at FCC. “At FCC we are thrilled to see Lakeland’s own smart farm provide the next generation of producers with the knowledge they need to advance the technology used on Canadian farms. The MobiLab is a perfect fit to give students the skills that will serve them well and also the Canadian agriculture industry as a whole.”
