Kevin Van Lagen, known as the Prairie Principal, hopped on the Podcast to share how he revitalized Altario School — a tiny K-12 rural Alberta school near the Saskatchewan border that faced declining enrollment and was at risk of closure. Since becoming principal in 2014, he collaborated with the community to launch an innovative agriculture program starting with two steers in 2018. It expanded into livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, bees), hydroponic produce, a student-run store, and entrepreneurial projects, turning the school into a hands-on learning hub. Enrollment grew from ~50 to 70 students, academic results soared (diploma pass rates from ~50% to 93-94%), and students gained responsibility, leadership, and real-world skills while mentoring younger peers. Kevin highlighted the power of community expertise, high expectations, family values, and ditching excuses in education. He also announced his run for the UCP nomination in Drumheller-Stettler, stressing service, rural advocacy, strong families, practical immigration, and support for Alberta’s upcoming independence referendum as a democratic exercise.
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