Semi-finalists announced for the 2022 UFA Student Pitch Competition

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.

The pitch competition is a Dragon’s Den style competition where Olds College students are asked to come up with an exciting innovative ag idea that solves an ag problem or advances the ag industry. Students are then given an opportunity to pitch their business model to a panel of judges. The winning pitch may have the opportunity to receive financial support to commercialize their idea or product with UFA.

As part of their entry into the competition, students were asked to submit a business model canvas and pitch deck presenting their innovative ag idea to move forward into the final pitch competition held virtually on March 23, 2022.

Congratulations to the semi-finalists for being selected to move forward in the UFA Student Pitch Competition! The winner of the 2022 UFA Student Pitch Competition will be announced on March 23, 2022.

UFA Press Release: Olds College students wow UFA with innovative ag ideas

Julie Cobb

Julie is in her second year of Precision Agriculture Techgronomy at Olds College as well as working as a research assistant in the Olds College Center for Innovation. She also operates a mixed farm at home and is always seeking ways to help not only her own farm, but all farms be more efficient and profitable in the safest manner possible. When Julie’s not working, you can usually find her hanging out with her family and dog, or tinkering away at some project around the farm.

Styn Nieuwenhuis

Styn wants to work in the ag industry to become an entrepreneur and find innovative solutions to the problems farmers face. He also wants to travel, learn and work in the ag industry all over the world. Eventually, Styn would like to return to the family farm and help manage it.

Lauren McKamey

Lauren is a fourth year Bachelor of Applied Science student majoring in Horticulture. Currently, Lauren works as a seasonal gardener with the City of Calgary and volunteers with The Brenda Strafford Foundation as Horticulture Program Coordinator, which she loves. She’s very passionate about feeding people and promoting food security by supporting the local food movement. Once Lauren graduates, she hopes to further her career with the City of Calgary and continue to search for ways horticulture can provide solutions to some of society's biggest challenges.

Abbey Taylor

Abbey Taylor is a seventh-generation farmer from Belmont, Ontario. Abbey is passionate about pastured meat production and is constantly learning about new ways to grow food while sequestering carbon and improving soil health. She is currently a third-year student in the Applied Degree in Agribusiness program at Olds College where she also plays on the Broncos badminton team and acts on the SAOC Board of Directors. She has been enjoying her time in Alberta by hiking in the mountains and visiting local farms and ranches. Her personal motto is “Keep smiling!”

Jasmine Bartelen

Born in Calgary, AB — but raised on a predominately cropping farm operation in North-Central New South Wales, Australia — Jasmine has a deep passion for agriculture that has served her well in her aspirations to become an independent agronomist here in Alberta. She looks forward to achieving this goal within the next five years. Jasmine currently resides in Beiseker, AB where she gets the opportunity to interact with local growers to learn about challenges they face, particularly in the harsh winter seasons exhibited across the prairies — which has helped Jasmine come up with her innovative ag idea!