Lakeland College has received international recognition after its Student-Managed Farm transformation project earned the Platinum Impact Award from the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), the organization’s highest honour.

The award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated measurable results through facilitation and organizational change. Lakeland was one of only seven organizations worldwide to receive the Platinum Award in 2026, joining recipients from Belgium, Singapore, Finland and Tanzania.

“This recognition reflects the incredible work our team has done to ensure the Student-Managed Farm continues to evolve alongside agriculture itself,” said Todd Sumner, Lakeland College’s vice president of academic and research.

Preparing for the future of agriculture

As enrolment and programming have expanded over the past decade, Lakeland recognized it was time to re-evaluate how its flagship Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) operates.

Since 2010, the college has doubled its land base, tripled student enrolment in agricultural programs and added a commercial bison herd. That growth prompted a comprehensive review of the Student-Managed Farm’s service delivery model to ensure it could continue supporting students while preparing for future expansion.

“We needed to evaluate our SMF delivery model and ensure our staff had a sense of ownership of the project,” Sumner said. “Using an external facilitator made sense for us, and being recognized for our efforts with this award is further proof of the importance of this project.”

Building a stronger team

The transformation project was led by facilitator Trina McCarroll of McCarroll Consulting.

Through a series of workshops and collaborative discussions, faculty and staff worked together to clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen collaboration and better connect everyday work on the farm with its long-term vision.

According to Lakeland, surveys completed before and after the process showed improvements that exceeded the college’s original goals.

“Through the process of facilitation, we achieved measurable, meaningful results that will have a positive impact on our SMF,” Sumner said. “The project showed us what becomes possible when our team is given structure and support to update our keystone program offering and move forward with clarity and purpose.”

Investing in the next generation

The award comes as Lakeland continues investing in the future of the Student-Managed Farm through a broader facilities and infrastructure revitalization plan designed to support increasing enrolment and growing interest in agricultural education.

Established in 1913, Lakeland College serves more than 7,000 students annually through its Vermilion and Lloydminster campuses, as well as online and off-site programming. Its Student-Managed Farm is widely recognized as one of Canada’s signature hands-on agricultural learning experiences, giving students the opportunity to manage real farming operations while preparing for careers in the industry.