A transformative gift

By Lethbridge Herald on August 22, 2025.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lethbridge Polytechnic is celebrating a transformative $2.8-million gift from the estate of farmers Joe and Laverna Hranac, the second-largest donation in the institution’s history.

The gift will support the Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Research Farm, enabling the continuation and expansion of applied agriculture and innovation. The Hranacs’ donation also enhances the school’s capacity for student-focused and industry-connected agricultural research.

“The Hranac family’s gift to support the research farm strengthens our ability to respond to emerging challenges in southern Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector, specifically in the areas of integrated food production systems, irrigation science and post-harvest technology,” says Dr. Andrew Dunlop, associate vice-president, research. 

“Their generosity also supports the polytechnic’s commitment to hands-on, applied learning that is deeply connected to industry.”

Lethbridge Polytechnic has been conducting applied research in agriculture for more than 30 years, most recently within the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE). CARIE has managed operations on the 385-acre research farm since 2020 as part of a lease agreement with the Government of Alberta.

The work done at CARIE helps farmers continuously improve their bottom-line through reducing costs and increasing efficiency, which in turn is good for consumers down the line.

“It’s generally costs, right? Farming has a lot of input costs and production costs. So if we can reduce a little bit of water use, a little bit of fuel use…more efficiency to reduce costs. Energy…like the lighting for (greenhouses). Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, anything we can do to help the efficiency and get more production per acre,” says Dunlop.

Estate gifts like the Hranacs’ help shape the future of education and innovation, creating opportunities for students and researchers that extend far beyond a single lifetime.

Born and raised in southern Alberta, the Hranacs were lifelong sugar beet, grain and canola producers who farmed land south of Chin and Cranford. Joe passed away in 2008 and Laverna in 2022.

“Joe and Laverna’s roots were based in farming, and along with that they carried a love of education and family throughout their lives,” says Joe’s niece Cindy Powel. “They believed in working hard, helping others and creating opportunities for the next generation. This gift reflects their vision of what’s possible and the kindness they shared with everyone around them.”

Though they had no children of their own, Powell says the Hranacs were closely connected to their extended family who say their gift to the polytechnic was inspired by a shared belief in the power of education and a desire to invest in students and agriculture for generations to come.

“To see my aunt and uncle give such a large donation, it just wells my heart up to know that we will be in the history of the college as being supportive and a big inspiration to the new farmers of this time.”