Jerry Bouma believes education is one of the important aspects to building a strong society. It's also a way to ensure that the Northlands legacy isn't ever forgotten.

Jerry Bouma presents a gift to Lakeland College from Northlands

That's why, as the Northlands organization was wrapping up operations, it was an easy decision to gift a surplus in funds to Lakeland College, to launch the Northlands Legacy Agriculture Award.

“Educate your people, educate your children, and you can only begin to imagine what will happen,” Bouma, chair of the Northlands Transition Board, says. “If one were challenged to leave a legacy, there is no greater enabler or accelerator than education.”

Since 1879, Northlands has been an integral part of the agricultural landscape in Alberta. It began as an ag society, growing into a huge organization dedicated to exhibitions, trade shows, supporting agribusiness organizations, producers and applied research. They hosted events designed to bring the community together, including Farm Fair International and Klondike Days (later renamed K-Days.)

Bouma first became involved with the Northlands organization as a volunteer in 1994. He was elected to the board of directors in 1999 and served on it for 11 years, as vice president in 2004 and chair from 2006 to 2009.

Ken Knowles and Jerry Bouma stand side by side.

“When I was chair, Northlands was a booming place,” Bouma recalls. “It was the centre of activity as far as entertainment and events. No one foresaw the day when Northlands would not be there.”

He explains that it was a series of unfortunate events that took place after he left the organization that led to it being unable to carry its financial responsibilities, including a high debt load, that lead to Northlands ceasing operations. He and former president and CEO Ken Knowles were brought back on board to steady the ship and help them through the process of winding things down.

They transferred some key assets to the City of Edmonton. This way, Farm Fair International and K-Days will live on after Northlands is gone. In the process, they found themselves in possession of a small surplus of $145,000.

“One of the abiding principles of a not-for-profit society is if you wind down and end up with a financial surplus, that money needs to go to a like organization,” Bouma explains. “I thought immediately that Lakeland would be the perfect place for it because of their long-term commitment to agricultural education. That's the common thread - supporting and building the agricultural industry. Lakeland and Northlands have the same objective, accomplished through different means.”

Jerru Bouma and Ken Knowles present a cheque to Lakeland staff and students.

With their gift, Northlands has launched the Northlands Legacy Agriculture Award, which will be given to four agricultural sciences students annually for 10 years. Students will be recognized for their leadership beyond the classroom.

“It is our sincere hope that these funds will not only support but inspire a cohort of students who might otherwise not have the resources to attend this institution, so they can benefit from the unique education provided by Lakeland College” Bouma says.

He and Knowles visited Lakeland's Vermilion campus on Aug. 17 to present the funds on behalf of the Northlands organization.

Photos: Top-Jerry Bouma presents the gift to Lakeland. Middle-Bouma (left) and Ken Knowles (right). Bottom-Bouma and Knowles present a check to Lakeland staff and students.