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Olds College Announces Discovery Farm Woodstock has joined the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network

August 02, 2023

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is pleased to announce Discovery Farm Woodstock has joined the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network. This addition to the network brings total membership to eight smart farms across four provinces working collaboratively towards advancing ag tech solutions and sustainability across Canada.

Discovery Farm Woodstock

The Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network — led by Olds College — is a network of Smart Farms supporting Canada’s agriculture sector to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in response to emerging opportunities and challenges in the industry. The network fosters collaboration among researchers, producers, industry partners, and other stakeholders nationwide to drive innovative projects that address critical issues in ag tech development and adoption.

“I’m happy to welcome Discovery Farm Woodstock into the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network as our fifth expansion site — which also expands the network further east into Ontario,” says Dr. Joy Agnew, Vice-President of Research, Olds College. “Discovery Farm Woodstock brings production practices and soil types more common in Eastern Canada into network research activities, as well as specific expertise in soybeans and corn. The network’s continued expansion across different agricultural zones and land bases brings depth to the network’s projects and technology evaluations which benefit farmers and developers. Together, we’re working to drive innovation and growth in Canada’s diverse agriculture industry.”

Discovery Farm Woodstock is a 330-acre site in Ontario that showcases the innovative technology and equipment shaping Ontario agriculture. It has access to experts and industry partners including the University of Guelph research services team. Demonstration research at Discovery Farm involves the practical application and testing of various farming methods, technologies and practices in a real-world setting to provide farmers and agricultural professionals with tangible, applicable knowledge for their own operations. Discovery Farm is a national, multi-location demonstration farm and events facility with locations in Eastern and Western Canada leading events such as Canada's Outdoor Farm Show and Ag in Motion.

“We’re thrilled Discovery Farm Woodstock is a member of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, and is expanding the network and research into a new province and new agricultural zone,” says Lynda Tityk, Glacier FarmMedia Corporate Director, Discovery Farm & Events. “Discovery Farm Woodstock focuses on farmer-driven applied research and innovation in an array of agricultural areas including crop cultivation, livestock management, soil health and sustainable farming practices. Working together with members across Canada in the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network allows us to transfer knowledge on initiatives that provide information that matters to Ontario farmers and connect the public to Ontario’s robust and evolving agri-food sector.”

With $1.1 M from the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN), the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network is an $2.9M initiative, lead by the Olds College Smart Farm and includes Discovery Farm Langham located just north of Saskatoon, Sask., Lakeland College located at Vermilion, Alta., University of Saskatchewan (USask) Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) located near Saskatoon, Sask., Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc. (MBFI) located near Brandon, Man., Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative (EMILI) located near Winnipeg, Man.,; Lethbridge College located in Lethbridge, Alta.; and Discovery Farm Woodstock located in Southwestern Ontario.

With funding from the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN), the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network initiative will accelerate the development and adoption of ag technologies and systems, helping producers manage their risk of production to improve the productivity and sustainability of their farms.

Linking smart farms across the country multiplies the learnings and increases the value of data generated to connect farmers with industry and research partners to find practical solutions to ag challenges. The network facilitates knowledge exchange and capacity building, and serves as a platform for real-world testing and validation of new technologies.

Agnew and Rob O'Connor, representative for Discovery Farm and Ag in Motion Show Director, announced Discovery Farm Woodstock was joining the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network during AgSmart on Wednesday, Aug 2 in Olds, Alta. AgSmart, proudly produced by Olds College, is an educational expo focused on data and technology across the agriculture industry.

Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network

The Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, led by Olds College, is a network of Smart Farms committed to sharing data and expertise that will help farmers, industry and developers better understand, use and develop smart agricultural technologies. Visit oldscollege.ca/smartfarmnetwork to learn more about the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network, or contact Olds College Centre for Innovation to inquire about joining the network.

View the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Page

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