Olds College is thrilled ATB Financial has committed $250,000 to support agriculture technology research and education. The five-year financial commitment will be used to grow the College’s high-tech smart farm, and sponsor AgSmart, a two-day ag technology expo taking place August 13 and 14 at the College. 
“The Olds College Smart Farm provides an environment where producers, industry partners, College researchers, faculty and students can explore the challenges and opportunities facing the ag sector and together investigate solutions and determine how we can use technology, data and expertise to evolve our existing agriculture practices,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “On behalf of Olds College I would like to thank ATB Financial for investing in the future of agriculture and our students.”
“At ATB, we understand agriculture is as important to our future as it was to our past,” said Curtis Stange, President and CEO of ATB Financial. “We know the industry is rapidly changing with technology playing a growing role and we are proud to support initiatives like the Olds College Smart Farm that harness technology and innovation in such an integral sector. This will further position Alberta and its producers as leaders and keep them competitive while producing world-class products. ”
The Olds College Smart Farm is an exciting initiative that incorporates the latest technologies aimed at improving productivity, while efficiently and sustainably using resources. It is a living lab for hands-on learning; a place for innovation, validation, demonstration and scaling of smart connected agriculture technology. Working with industry partners, local producers and students, the Smart Farm provides valuable research that is evolving and shaping future agriculture practices.
Co-produced by Olds College and Agri-Trade, AgSmart is a two-day event that provides farmers with an opportunity to interact with cutting-edge high-tech ag players and experience the latest innovations first-hand. Through educational workshops and demos the show will look at how farmers can grow profits with data. (https://agsmartolds.ca/)
