Introducing our Seasonal Field Technician: Andrew Korver

Hi, I’m a 20-year-old student at the University of Alberta, currently two years into my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Crop Science. While I’ve spent the last couple of years diving into textbooks and lectures, my connection to agriculture started long before university — right here in the Rocky Mountain House community. 

My family operates a farm just east of Rocky, where we primarily graze custom cattle and make hay for sale. Having access to that land has been a huge asset in my learning. It’s given me the freedom to test new ideas and try out concepts from school in a real-world setting. From high-density grazing to experimenting with annual forages and diverse perennial blends, I’ve had the opportunity to see what works — and what really doesn’t. And honestly, that’s the best way to learn. 

But I also realized that learning the hard way isn’t the only way. So, I’ve made it a priority to learn from others with more experience and wisdom to share. I’ve attended several field days, participated in the 2024 Soil Health Academy in McCord, Saskatchewan, and took in a ton of knowledge at the 2024 Western Canadian Conference on Soil Health and Grazing. 

There’s incredible value in bridging what we learn in academia with what actually works out in the field. Real-world, hands-on insight from producers is irreplaceable — and combining that with scientific knowledge is where real innovation happens. 

For the past two summers, I’ve also worked at Benalto Agri Services, helping out with the operations side of input retail. That experience has deepened my understanding of what producers need day-to-day and how agribusiness plays a key role in supporting on-farm decisions. 

Looking ahead to this summer, I’m excited to continue growing through my involvement with CAFLA. My grandfather was involved early on with Grey Wooded Forage Association, and that legacy of innovation has always stuck with our family. Whether it’s increasing rest periods in grazing rotations by adding more paddocks and subdividing with polywire, or planting annuals to boost forage biomass for later-season use — those are the kinds of strategies that push us forward. 

Now, through CAFLA, I hope to help spark those ideas for other producers — especially younger ones who are just starting their journey. I believe there’s so much potential in the next generation of farmers and ranchers in our region, and I want to help cultivate that. 

After the summer, I’ll be heading back to school to finish my degree, but my long-term plan is to stay right here in the greater Rocky area. This place has given me so much — and I’m excited to give back, grow with it, and be part of shaping what agriculture looks like in the years to come.