Nurturing future farmers with practical skills
For over two decades, Mike Ellefson has cherished the excitement and hard work of harvest season at the Lethbridge Polytechnic Research Demonstration Farm. While planting season brings anticipation, Ellefson says harvest time is special.
“You’re bringing the crop in, and we always fight over who gets to combine, because that’s the most enjoyable part,” said Ellefson. “We’re the same as any farm in that we want to do well with the crops and bring in the money to cover all the costs we have. It’s exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking because it’s ‘go time.’”
Ellefson began working at the farm in 2002, just after Jim Parker, the former manager, was hired. Together, they helped shape the farm from its early days, creating a strong bond with the land and its operations. Ellefson’s role has deepened his connection to the farm. “Jim and I kind of built this place together; there was nothing here when we started. Everything you see today, we had a role in, so you want to take care of the place and make sure it succeeds,” said Ellefson.
Though Ellefson didn’t grow up on a farm, he enjoyed helping on his uncle’s farm as a teen. Initially pursuing a career in education, he took a summer job at the research farm and quickly found his passion for working outdoors, operating equipment, and growing crops.
That summer job evolved into a permanent role, where he gained hands-on experience and knowledge from experts in agriculture, research, and advanced technologies like subsurface irrigation and grain drying systems.
In 2020, the farm transitioned from government management to Lethbridge Polytechnic, a move Ellefson found exciting. The change brought new resources, partnerships, and opportunities, including collaboration with local producers and processors. It also introduced more student researchers, whose enthusiasm and fresh perspectives energize the farm. Many of these students, new to farming, gain confidence in operating equipment, using advanced technology, and understanding agricultural systems.
Ellefson appreciates how the farm integrates science, trades, and economics, providing students with practical skills to address real-world challenges. Lethbridge Polytechnic offers various agricultural programs, including diplomas in ag business, plant, and animal sciences, and a Bachelor of Agriculture Science degree, preparing students for rewarding careers in agriculture.
“They get to see how all the sciences, trades, and economics come together,” said Ellefson. “The rewarding parts come with working hard, solving problems, working outdoors and in nature, building and repairing, all with the end goal to feed the world."
Photo Credit: MIke Ellefson