Planting Seeds of Curiosity: The RF Staples Agriculture Program

In Westlock, the future of agriculture isn’t just being discussed in boardrooms or barns — it’s being shaped in the classrooms of RF Staples School.

Supported by the Westlock Community Foundation's Rural Resiliency Fund, the RF Staples Agriculture Program is giving junior high students a hands-on, eye-opening introduction to the vibrant world of agriculture that surrounds them — and showing them that rural living is full of opportunity, innovation, and pride.

The Vision

Led by passionate educator Leanne Huppertz, the Agriculture Program is about more than just field trips. It’s about building a bridge between students and the local economy that sustains our community. It's about helping students, whether they come from farms or town neighbourhoods, understand where their food comes from — and where their future careers could grow.

The program exposes Grade 7–9 students to real-world agricultural experiences through:

• Farm tours and producer site visits

• Guest speakers from agronomy, veterinary sciences, equipment sales, and more

• College tours to institutions like Lakeland College and Olds College

• Explorations of entrepreneurship, sustainability, technology, and innovation in agriculture

Approximately 165 students engage with the program each year — an impressive number that reflects strong demand and growing interest.

The Impact

The Agriculture Program is opening doors — and minds:

• Students who had never visited a farm bottle-fed calves for the first time at a local dairy, connecting them emotionally to the food system they rely on.

• Students already living on farms proudly shared their family businesses, building leadership and communication skills.

• At least one student landed a part-time job at a local dairy farm directly because of the program’s field trips — a powerful example of how education can create immediate economic opportunity.

• Parents raved about the program, many remarking they wished similar opportunities had existed when they were in school.

 “Some students only knew food ‘showed up at the grocery store.’ Now, they know the faces and the work behind it. And they see rural Alberta — and Westlock — as a place full of possibilities.”

Why It Matters

Inspiring youth to see a future in rural Alberta is one of the most important investments we can make. Programs like this not only help students envision career paths — they strengthen the very fabric of rural life by encouraging young people to stay, return, or build businesses right here at home.

The RF Staples Agriculture Program is a shining example of education as community-building. With continued support, the seeds planted today will grow into tomorrow’s farmers, innovators, and leaders — ensuring that rural resiliency remains more than an idea; it remains a lived reality.