The Smart Farm Draws Attention of Notable Guests

“Canada’s agriculture system is a global leader in sustainable agriculture, and we appreciate the Ministers taking time to tour the Smart Farm, where our industry’s next generation of talent and innovations are being produced,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College.

Ag Tech Connections

The Smart Farm Draws Attention of Notable Guests

The industry-led, agriculture technology applied research happening on the Olds College Smart Farm is being noticed far and wide, and a few noteworthy guests have recently made their way to Olds, Alberta to learn more about it.

The Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture toured the Smart Farm to learn how the College’s applied research is supporting sustainability and climate change in agriculture. In addition, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada and embassy members included the Smart Farm in their west coast tour to discuss digital ag technology, data collection and international students. As Canada’s Smart Agriculture College and home to Canada’s first Smart Farm, Olds College is eager to share how it’s integrating real-life applied research and smart ag technologies into commercial farming operations.

Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture Explore Sustainable Agriculture on the Smart Farm

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development, Nate Horner, toured the Olds College Smart Farm to learn more about applied research at the College and how it supports sustainable agriculture while addressing climate change.

Showcasing Olds College’s work in regenerative agriculture and climate change resiliency, the Ministers toured the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, explored the OMNiPOWER Autonomous Agriculture platform, and spoke with students in the new Agriculture Technology programs. The Federal Minister even took the reins (aka remote control) of OMNiPOWER to see how supervised autonomy works on the Smart Farm.

“It is great to be on the ground with Minister Horner to see first-hand the innovative work happening right here at Olds College. Students at Olds are getting the chance to work on the most digitally advanced technologies that are driving a more sustainable system of agriculture. We are immensely proud of the role taken by the college and the world-leading research collaborations they are forging,” comments Marie-Claude Bibeau.

“Agriculture is a key driver of Alberta’s economic recovery plan, and Olds College continues to be a leader in innovation, research, and smart ag technology while meeting the needs of producers right here in Alberta,” adds Nate Horner. “From practical on-farm applications to advanced technical training, Olds College has helped build Alberta’s modern agriculture sector.”

From left: Julie Cobb, student, Olds College; Hon. MarieClaude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; Brody Nestorovich, student, Olds College; and Hon. Nate Horner, M.L.A., Minister of Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development operate OMNiPOWER at the W.J. Elliott Building on campus.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada and Embassy Members Tour the Smart Farm

Olds College welcomed His Excellency the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada, Akylbek Kamaldinov, and members from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Canada including visitors from the Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) and Condor Petroleum. The visitors went on a tour of the Olds College Smart Farm, and the College showcased the agriculture technology applied research and data collection taking place on the Smart Farm along with the College’s support for international students.

The visitors learned about data collection on the Smart Farm, and explored the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, the OMNiPOWER platform, Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production feedlots, and Smart Farm fields near campus. James Benkie, Dean of Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, was also able to highlight the Agriculture Technology programming, hands-on learning, and opportunities for international students with Olds College. “It’s beneficial for CERBA to host the Embassy of Kazakhstan and bring them to Olds College for a tour of the Smart Farm to see the digital agriculture technologies being tested here,” says Frank Kense, Regional Director, Alberta Chapter at CERBA.

The Embassy members were especially interested in the economic and commercial use of autonomous agriculture equipment, the Smart Farm data collection and connectivity, plus how local producers are able to use digital data to improve their crop production and sustainability.

“The value of these visits is exchanging information about how we’re using leading-edge technologies in crop production and livestock along with discussing the education and applied research that happens at Olds College,” says Dr. Alex Melnitchouck, Chief Technology Officer - Digital Ag at Olds College.

“Canada and Kazakhstan share a similar geography and climate, so a visit to the Smart Farm showcases many opportunities to work together and collaborate going forward," explains Kense. "What Olds College is doing on the Smart Farm is amazing and it’s applicable for the future of agriculture to learn more about ag technologies and efficiencies.”

Photo, Clockwise from left: Jason Bradley, Manager of Smart Ag Partnerships at Olds College, showcases data collection and autonomous agriculture equipment to H.E. Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada, in the Smart Ag Innovation Centre and W.J. Elliot Building on campus.