2022

On Nov. 2, 2022, Leona Staples, Chair, Olds College Board of Governors, announced the 14th President of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology – Dr. Ben Cecil. The Board of Governors conducted a nation-wide executive search to find the College’s next President.

Olds College of Agriculture Technology is teaming up with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) to bring agriculture technology classes to Calgary high school students.

Leona Staples, Chair, Olds College Board of Governors, announced today the appointment of Dr. Ben Cecil as the new President of the College.  

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is launching a new Agriculture Communications Certificate. The first of its kind offered in Canada, this one year program prepares students for a meaningful career supporting the agriculture and agri-food industry in communications and marketing.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is launching a new Equine Care & Management Certificate for fall 2024. Offered through the College’s School of Life Science and Business, the new one-year program prepares students for a rewarding career in the equine sector through hands-on labs, classroom lectures and work-integrated learning. 

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is pleased to announce its newest learning facility will be named after Dave Werklund and Susan Norman-Werklund in recognition of their leadership investment and unrelenting support that has transformed the College into one of Canada’s premiere agriculture and agri-food learning and research institutions.

Olds College of Agriculture and Technology celebrated the installation of the first pride crosswalk in Olds, Alberta. In front of a crowd of students, staff and faculty, a rainbow ribbon was cut to celebrate the pride crosswalk located on the College campus. ...more

On August 10, 2022 at AgSmart an Induction Ceremony was held to celebrate the 2021 and 2022 Hall of Fame and Hall of Merit award winners....more

Olds College and Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) have created a formal partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU). As part of the MOU, AFSC will provide support for applied research activities on the Olds College Smart Farm that will drive innovation in agriculture....more

Olds College is excited to announce the approval of a new Bachelor of Digital Agriculture Degree. Offered through the College’s Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, the first intake of students in the Digital Ag degree will be on campus for fall 2023....more

In this issue of Horizons, we talk about expanding the Smart Farm to encompass 3,600 acres and the growth of collaboration in our applied research activities. We announce our new certificate program in Agriculture Sales and Customer Support. We also celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of Convocation and the Olds College Class of 2022!

Olds College launches new certificate program in Agriculture Sales & Customer Support in alignment with ‘Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs’ plan to expand apprenticeship-style programs. 

Olds College is pleased to award the 2022 Olds College Honorary Degree to Holly Fortier for her significant contributions through Indigenous Awareness Training. 

The Olds College community celebrated the 107th graduating class in-person as hundreds of graduates crossed the stage. 

Olds College looks forward to welcoming two full-time Ukrainian students to campus as part of a sponsorship program developed in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Olds College and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have signed an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate in joint activities on the Olds College Saskatchewan Smart Farm including student work-integrated learning, technology demonstration and validation, and applied research activities.

Over the next three years, approximately 90 additional seats will be added to the Veterinary Technical Assistant certificate program.

Olds College Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Dr. Ray Block will be taking on the role of Interim President, effective August 2, 2022.

Farming runs deep for Margery Steckler and her late husband, George. Committed to the advancement of agriculture, farmers and education, this Didsbury couple has become a familiar name at Olds College.

Olds College is pleased to announce that Trina Radcliffe, Manager of Athletics, has been awarded the Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).  The CICan Awards of Excellence recognize best practices from institutions across the country, as well as individual leadership and achievements. ...more

Stuart Cullum has announced he will be leaving his position as President of Olds College at the end of July 2022 to take the role as President of Red Deer Polytechnic....more

Olds College received $440,000 in funding from NSERC for enhancing climate change resiliency and environmental sustainability of the livestock industry.

The funds will go towards the development and delivery of enhanced academic programming and providing students with opportunities to attend conferences, forums, educational courses, guest lecturers and speakers.

With two large construction projects underway (the Ag Tech Learning Hub set to open this September and the Animal Health Education Centre scheduled for fall 2023), and several more projects being planned, Olds College has created a Campus Master Plan to provide the institution with a roadmap for future growth and development of the campus. 

Olds College is excited to host its second A Celebration of Alberta Ag, a free two-hour live streamed event celebrating the resiliency of Alberta’s agriculture industry.

Olds College will be expanding its Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan during the 2022 growing season thanks to a pledge of 800 acres of land west of Craik, SK, from Margery Steckler and her late husband, George Steckler. 

Olds College is pleased to welcome Todd Ormann to the role of Associate Vice President, Industry Solutions and Partnerships.

United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative Ltd. (UFA) is pleased to announce that Olds College students Abbey Taylor, Julie Cobb, Lauren McKamey, Styn Nieuwenhuis and Jasmine Bartelen have been named as semi-finalists in the third annual UFA Student Pitch Competition with Olds College.

In this issue of Horizons, we highlight applied research on the Smart Farm which is at the heart of the Smart Ag Ecosystem at the College and has grown to include 2,800 acres of farmland, infrastructure, and staff who are experienced in ag technology research and development.

Olds College is proud to be listed as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges according to Research Infosource Inc. Olds College is one of five Alberta colleges that made the national list, and was also ranked in the top 10 of small size colleges for number of research partnerships and number of completed research projects.