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PrairiesCan invests millions to expand Olds College Smart Farm

The Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is investing more than $3 million in Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to expand Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan. The funding will help Olds College purchase new equipment to further research agriculture challenges impacting the Prairies.

“At Olds College, we work very hard to be at the leading edge of agriculture and technology in Alberta and around the world,” says Todd Ormann, vice president of development at Olds College. “We are extremely proud to be accelerating the development and adoption of agriculture technologies and practices, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and providing invaluable work-integrated learning for our students on the Olds College Smart Farm. By expanding our research and Smart Farm operations, we get additional opportunities to integrate agriculture technology into the classrooms for an enriched learning environment so our students get the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the agriculture industry.”

This funding is part of PrairiesCan’s larger investment of $21 million to support 14 projects to build Alberta’s value-added agricultural sector. Projects receiving this federal funding will have significant environmental and economic benefits across the province and its strong agricultural sector, including supporting more than 800 jobs and helping Alberta organizations take advantage of the numerous economic opportunities associated with value-added agriculture.

“Our government is making strategic investments to build on Alberta’s solid track record of commercializing innovative products, services, and technologies that the world needs,” says the Honourable Dan Vandal, minister for PrairiesCan. “The projects we’re announcing today will help ensure Alberta’s value-added agricultural sector can continue to capitalize on the opportunity to create new solutions that benefit both the economy and environment. These investments, in conjunction with the goals of the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, will help build a stronger and more sustainable economic future across the Prairies.”

For more information about about Olds College Smart Farm, click here.

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