December 11, 2019 | Olds, Alberta
Olds College Smart Farm set to expand thanks to a gift of land from George and Marge Steckler of Didsbury Alberta. The local couple has committed a future estate gift that includes 320 acres of farmland that will be integrated into the Olds College Smart Farm. The gift also includes an endowment fund for student bursaries that will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in agriculture programs at the College.
“On behalf of Olds College, I would like to sincerely thank George and Marge Steckler for this amazing gift,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “By addressing the financial needs of students and providing additional land for the College to expand its focus on hands on learning and farmer led applied research, the Steckler’s have truly provided a legacy gift for our students and the agriculture industry.”
Cullum continues, “we know that industry needs applied research environments, such as the Olds College Smart Farm to develop, validate and demonstrate innovative technology and practice, focused on the issues that matter. The Steckler gift allows us to increase our land base and as such, expand our capacity to work with companies and producers on the challenges of today and the opportunities of the future. It also means that Olds College can provide more students with a one-of-a-kind learning environment focused on the future of agriculture.”
George and Marge Steckler have farmed in the area since 1973. Today, George and Marge have retired from farming, but their passion for agriculture is still alive and well. “We enjoyed farming,” says Marge. “We had a great life on the farm; it provided us with independence to work for ourselves. I can’t think of anything better than for us to provide a gift of land and funds to support students attending Olds College. It feels right to help the next generation, and it’s nice to know that our name will continue on through this donation.”
George adds, “Olds College is our neighbour, it gives us pleasure to know our good, viable farmland will continue to be used for farming long after we are gone. I look forward to seeing students out on the land, and to check out what they are doing. To see students benefit from our land will be wonderful.”
The College has already begun installing some smart farm technology on the Steckler farm. Currently, a Farmer’s Edge weather station has been set up to monitor dew point, humidity, wind speed and precipitation levels. The data is fed back to the Farmers Edge dashboard, that is used at the Olds College Smart Farm. The Smart Farm is creating a cutting-edge learning environment for students and life-long learners, and is committed to supporting the agriculture industry through agriculture technology applied research.
