June 21, 2018 | Olds, Alberta
Olds College has welcomed Art Froehlich to the new role of Thought Leader in Smart Agriculture. This new position, made possible as a result of the donation by David Werklund and Susan Norman, will act as an advisor and industry connector within the Werklund Agriculture Institute.
As Thought Leader, Mr. Froehlich will chair the newly developed Smart Agriculture Industry Advisory Council which will inform the co-creation of a Smart Agriculture Ecosystem at Olds College. This Ecosystem will be anchored by the Olds College Smart Farm and will engage a community of entrepreneurs, businesses, research organizations and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. The Ecosystem will be a catalyst for the enhancement of academic and research programming at Olds College and investment and business development within the Calgary-Olds Smart Agri-Food Corridor.
“Mr. Froehlich is a proven entrepreneur and global agri-business leader. He has a deep knowledge and understanding of the agriculture sector and what is needed in terms of talent and business supports,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “His experience and insight will be a valuable addition to the College as we continue to build partnerships and grow our Smart Agriculture Ecosystem.”
Mr. Froehlich is a long-time friend of Olds College. He was bestowed with an Olds College Honorary Degree in 2014 and also served as a member of the College Board of Governors. An active philanthropist, Froehlich has been involved in numerous community and corporate organizations and has spent the last three decades working in primary food production, agri-business, and agri-marketing, including executive positions with Westcan Malting Limited, Alberta Wheat Pool, and AdFarm. His impressive resume is bolstered by a list of appointments to industry boards including Canterra Seeds, Genome Alberta and Richardson International Limited, among others. Art values agricultural education, mentoring young entrepreneurs in the Business Development Bank of Canada, and young agrologists for the Alberta Institute of Agrologists. Mr. Froehlich is still active in agriculture, raising registered Red Angus cattle, grains, and oilseeds on his farm in Saskatchewan.
