When Roy Kubica learned Lakeland College students had a vision to improve farm operations, but no funds to bring it to life he came to the rescue - with a brand new Demco 1050 grain cart.

“The idea to purchase a grain cart came from our students,” says Geoff Brown, dean of agricultural sciences at Lakeland. “One of the great things about the learning experiences available through the Student-Managed Farm - Powered by New Holland (SMF) is students have to plan for the future and ask what needs to be done for long-term success. They developed a proposal for the cart and we are so appreciative that once again, Roy Kubica - an alumnus and long-time supporter - stepped forward to bring our students' ideas to life.”

The grain cart, unveiled at the Vermilion campus on Nov. 19, will increase efficiency on the field. It is equipped with scales to weigh each load of grain. It will hold about 1,000 bushels and works with the Agrimatics Libra grain cart inventory platform.

Weights will automatically download into this program so the combine operator will see how large each load of grain is as it's unloading. The information is stored in the Libra program, allowing inventory tracking.

“This addition to our fleet adds so many new opportunities for hands-on learning and technological training, which is the backbone of Lakeland's education system - to learn by doing,” says Tyson Krpan, second-year crop technology student and analysis manager on the SMF crop unit. “We will easily and accurately be able to track our yield and grain inventory, increase efficiency in the bin yard, and have much more confidence when making decisions about grain contracts.”

Kubica's $80,000 gift supported the purchase of the new grain cart as well as any required student leadership initiatives around its use.

“When I started farming, there were so many things I learned at Lakeland that I used in the field,” says Kubica, Class of 1966. “I had taken animal husbandry, fertilizers, soils - and we were using all of it. I never married and have no children, so some of the income I've generated over the years, I am using to support Lakeland. That assistance is now being used by students to support their future.”

This is far from the first major contribution Kubica has made to Lakeland. His past support allowed Lakeland to expand its land base. In 2015, he began the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Scholarship and began the Roy J. Kubica Agriculture Bursary in 2020.

“Throughout the years, Roy has been so supportive of our college and students,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “His generosity made it possible for us to grow our campus farm and I know so many students have been helped by his ongoing support of our awards program. This grain cart is another wonderful contribution, one that will enhance hands-on learning opportunities for our students using the latest agricultural technology. We are so grateful for his ongoing support and are thankful for all he has done for Lakeland and our future ag leaders.”

Photo: Roy Kubica (right) hands over a ceremonial grain shovel to Tyson Krpan (left) while Geoff Brown (centre), dean of agricultural sciences, looks on during the unveiling of the new grain cart.