By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Federal ag minister tours Olds College on heels of Guelph Statement

Nov 22, 2021 | 9:45 AM

OLDS, Alta. – Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, has given Olds College her stamp of approval.

Bibeau toured the institution this past week alongside Nate Horner, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development.

“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,” said Bibeau.

“We are immensely proud of the role taken by the college and the world-leading research collaborations they are forging.”

Agriculture ministers at the federal provincial and territorial levels recently issued the Guelph Statement, a vision to ensure a healthy agri-food sector en route to 2028.

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Priorities of the Guelph Statement include tackling climate change and environmental protection, continued investment in science, research and innovation, supporting sustainable agriculture, building sector capacity and growth, and enhancing resiliency to anticipate, mitigate and respond to risks.

At Olds College, work is being done in the areas of regenerative agriculture and climate change resiliency, and ministers toured the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, as well as the OMNI: Autonomous Agriculture platform. They also spoke with students in the Agriculture Technology Program.

“As Canada’s Smart Agriculture College and home to Canada’s first Smart Farm, Olds College provides a livinglab for industry, researchers, faculty and students to develop and integrate technology and best practice,” says Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College.

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

Horner also commented, saying agriculture is a key driver of Alberta’s economic recovery.

“Olds College continues to be a leader in innovation, research, and smart ag technology while meeting the needs of producers right here in Alberta,” said Horner, the MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.

“From practical on-farm applications to advanced technical training, Olds College has helped build Alberta’s modern agriculture sector.”

More on the Guelph Statement is at Canada.ca.