Lakeland Ag Tour club returns to Belize to observe agriculture practices

“I loved the culture of the small towns - not everyone lived in luxury but everyone seemed to be happy,” says Rebecca Kitzul, a Lakeland crop technology student. “The landscape of the farms is different than Canada’s but the language, implements and products (grains and cattle) were similar.”

This year, the Ag Tour Club consists of 17 students from a variety of Lakeland programs. Each year the club travels somewhere based on budget and learning outcomes. Belize was chosen this year because of its different approach to agriculture. Students were able to observe rice, citrus and coconut farming practices while touring the country-side.

From 2013-16 University of Belize (U of B) faculty members worked with Lakeland to realign their curriculum at the university’s student-managed farm and make it more responsive to the needs of industry. The partnership was a part of a project funded by the Canadian International Development Association (CIDA).  The Ag Tour Club visited the area and saw the progress the U of B students were making in student-led learning concepts.

One of the main highlights was touring the U of B campus and comparing aspects of that operation to those at Lakeland’s Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland. The U of B’s agriculture students grow their own variety of produce and then make, package and sell products such as pepper sauces from the vegetables. They also produce and butcher pork that is sold in their campus butcher shop.

“It was surprising the practices that were similar as far as seedbed preparation and silage being used for cattle feed,” says Kitzul.

Their tour also included stops at various Mayan Ruin locations, and a feedlot excursion in Belize. Each year is a new adventure for the group. For more information on the Ag Tour Club, ​click here.