Legacy Farm Project signs MoU  with Christ the Redeemer 

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Legacy Farm Project and Christ the Redeemer School Division have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding ongoing development of the Legacy Farm.

“It was part and part from our development team … but also it is part of the segue and evolution of, where we began originally working with Olds College, Golden Hills, and now Christ the Redeemer,” said Scott Silva, director of business development for the Legacy Farm Project. “It is all part of the work and initiatives that we have been doing lately to further the education program and initiatives that we are projecting for Legacy Farm.”

With the basis on this MoU, as well as those with the Legacy Farm Project’s other educational partners, the project is fleshing out its educational steering committee, which will be tasked with creating beta programming for the project. 

Silva explained the project is anticipating to have its first beta programs ready to roll out for September of this year, coinciding with the start of the regular 2024-25 educational year. 

The idea going forward will be to “pass the torch,” to the Legacy Farms educational partners to develop the programming, as neither Silva, nor the members of the development team are qualified educators. 

“We want to start off with an educators’ exclusive open house, so all the educators and teachers and administration from all the school divisions can come down and really explore what the barn is and the farm – what it is today and what it is going to be in the future,” said Silva. “Based on what the barn currently has, we are able to look to find those critical pathways and fulfill and expand on existing programming and curriculum. Everything from ornithology to microbiology, to watershed irrigation, and different farming practices.”

The next steps for the Legacy Farm Project will include a focus on establishing the educational steering committee, including members from Olds College, Golden Hills School Division and Christ the Redeemer, with ambitions to bring on more school divisions to participate. 

Silva did not specify an exact date that the open house for educators will be taking place, though a goal of the Legacy Farm Project is to assemble its educational committee to determine how best they can add to and expand upon existing curriculums as soon as possible.