The Rocky Ag Society has announced the 2026 class for the five $1,000 bursaries it awards annually.

Ag Society member Pat Lobley says the bursaries are given to Rocky Mountain House and David Thompson High School-area students who plan to attend any post-secondary program — not necessarily in agriculture.

Applicants must have lived on a farm in the area for at least one year. Community volunteering is also considered important but must be documented.

While academic achievement is considered, it is not the primary criterion.

The bursaries, which have been awarded since 1986, are designed to give students with a farm background an opportunity to pursue further education.

In the past 40 years, about $115,000 has been awarded to 133 students.

This year’s class is:

Ashley Taylor

Ashley is a graduate of David Thompson High School.

She’s entering her first year at Red Deer Polytechnic, aiming to become a social worker.

Kane Scott

Kane graduated from David Thompson High School.

Kane is attending Western College in Texas, where he is taking the petroleum engineering program.

Kurtis Olmstead

Kurtis is a graduate of West Central High School in Rocky Mountain House.

Kurtis is attending Red Deer Polytechnic, taking the health-care aide program.

Macord Pollitt

A David Thompson High School graduate, Macord is attending Lakeland College in Vermilion, studying environmental sciences.

Brent Steegink

Growing up on a dairy farm in the Rocky Mountain House area, the David Thompson High School graduate is attending Lakeland College in Vermilion, studying dairy science.

Lobley says application forms for the 2027 bursaries are available now.

They can be picked up at West Central High School and St. Dominic Catholic School in Rocky Mountain House, as well as David Thompson High School. They can also be picked up at the Rocky Ag Society office and the Clearwater County office. Application forms can also be found on the organization’s website.