On a 76-acre full-running farm, high school students will learn the world of agriculture.

Built with the momentous donation of land and initial capital from the Yuill Family Foundation, alongside many more contributions from heritage ranches, agriculture companies, and community-minded businesses and locals, the school will be an educational foundation for the agriculture industry rooted in Southeast Alberta.

With agritourism being one of twelve programs offered, students will have the opportunity to host farm markets, farm-to-table dinners, harvest festivals, and u-pick operations while building public awareness of where food comes from. 

And that it’s not far from homebase. In Medicine Hat, it’s just down the road.

“We are very rich with agriculture in Southern Alberta and we firmly believe it’s an industry we need to support,” says Nichole Neubauer, Director of Agriculture at Prairie Rose School Division and co-owner with her husband Mark of the century-old family farm, Neubauer Farms.

The school campus will have a cow/calf production, laying hens, a garden for a horticultural program, greenhouse management, and crop plots for students to source ingredients for annual dinners and events. A commercial kitchen supplies a professional space to prepare the dishes.

As produce grows and proteins are raised, the knowledge the students hold will do the same. 

“Agriculture is a learned vocation. These programs show youth what a career in agriculture looks like. You don’t need to own land or be the primary producer. You don’t need to have lived on a farm or have ties to farmland. This brings a real, authentic connection to the industry for those who are looking to start,” says Neubauer. 

On August 8, 2026, the Yuill School of Agriculture hosted the Raise the Roof fundraiser dinner inside the Southern Alberta Collegiate. Over 300 guests dined an elevated five-course meal, prepared and served by Medicine Hat Lodge. 

Sharable appetizers, salads tossed with locally sourced produce, corn chowder with the famous Taber Corn and, for the main, beautifully plated short ribs complimented with seasonal vegetables and potatoes. 

To pair was Canadian and hyperlocal wine from Cypress Hills Winery, alongside blended beverages from Orchid Tap Bar that were garnished with dried fruit and fresh florals.

The soundtrack to the evening was local musician Rob Hudec with an acoustic guitar and raw vocals.

“The resounding underpinning of the evening was the incredible support from the agriculture and business community who understand that agriculture is a fundamental bread and butter industry to this region,” says Nichole. “It’s a very beautiful story of how it’s come to be and how people are stepping up in such a big way.” 

The “Raise the Roof” dinner was a figurative name to represent the new building, but a month after the dinner was hosted the roof trusses were constructed for the Yuill School of Agriculture. 

Once the roof has officially been raised and the doors have opened to welcome students, the 76 acres will grow much more than the seeds planted in the ground. Inspiration, ideas, perspective, skill, and culture will continue to be rooted in Southeast Alberta.

The Yuill School of Agriculture is a joint venture between Prairie Rose Public School, Yuill Family Foundation, Government of Alberta, and Neubauer Farms.