2024 News Stories

Broncos Second Annual Battle with the Broncos a Success Earlier this month, the Battle with the Broncos — Fire vs. Police hockey game took place at the Olds Sportsplex following the Town of Olds Santa Claus Parade of Lights in front of a crowd of approximately 500 fans.

General, Partnerships Olds College Enters Agreement with The TireGrabber Ltd. Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is excited to announce a new partnership with The TireGrabber Ltd., who have generously donated a Tire Grabber TG4000XL model and TG Equipment Sprayer Jack that will enhance the learning experience for students in the College’s agriculture and heavy equipment programs.

Faculty Success James Palidwar Advances Education With AWS Scholarship James Palidwar, a welding instructor at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, is a proud recipient of the American Welding Society (AWS) Educators Scholarship.

Partnerships, Student Success Kenneth Murray — Recipient of the 2024 RME Ken Wood Memorial Award Congratulations to this year's recipient of the Rocky Mountain Equipment (RME) Ken Wood Memorial Award, Kenneth Murray, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment diploma student.

Smart Farm Olds College Ranked One of Canada’s Top Research Colleges

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has been ranked one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, according to Research Infosource Inc. Currently, Olds College finds itself in 14th place in the rankings.

Agriculture, Events, Smart Farm World Soil Day 2024

Soil, just like any living entity in our environment, requires proper care to continuously contribute to the overall well-being of Mother Earth. On this World Soil Day, with the theme of “Caring for Soils,” we recognize soil requires tender loving care to perform vital functions effectively.

Student Success Olds College Student Awarded Prestigious Golf Scholarship

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is proud to announce that Hannah Isinghood, a first-year student in our Turfgrass Management program, received the Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship.

Partnerships Olds College Supports ‘Tomorrow Needs 4-H’ Campaign Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is happy to support the Tomorrow Needs 4-H campaign with a $5,000 donation from the College, as well as having numerous staff members give personal donations.

General, Smart Farm Dr. Gellatly recognized by Forbes Dr. Désirée Gellatly, Research Scientist with the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) team at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the 50 women taking Brazilian agriculture to the world.

General, Administration Olds College Welcomes New Dean, School of Life Science & Business Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is pleased to welcome Amos Ngai into the role of Dean of the School of Life Science & Business. Ngai brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, having served as Associate Dean at Bow Valley College and most recently at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

Olds College Research Team Wins ASTech Award The Smart Agriculture Applied Research team at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has won a prestigious ASTech Award. Since 1990, the ASTech Foundation has recognized outstanding achievements in science and technology innovation across Alberta.

Smart Farm TACLP Recognized Nationally TACLP uses its resources — which include a 1,000-head capacity feedlot, commercial cow-calf herd, purebred Red Angus herd, sheep flock, and broadacre native and tame pasture — to demonstrate, evaluate and optimize technologies with the potential to improve animal health and welfare, increase production efficiency and enhance environmental sustainability.

General, Events Celebrating RVT Month In Alberta, October marks Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVT) month, an annual observance that recognizes the vital role RVTs play in animal health care.

General Important Update Regarding the W.J. Elliott (Trades) Building Renovation Last week, the Executive Leadership Team at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology approved plans for a temporary building relocation during the upcoming three-year renovation and expansion of the W.J. Elliott Building, scheduled to begin in summer 2025.

General, Faculty Success Elliot named finalist for Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program Brianna Elliot, Project Lead with the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) team at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, is one of the finalists for the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders Program.

General, Partnerships Bumper to Bumper's Commitment to Supporting International Students with Essential Tools Locally owned Bumper to Bumper has once again demonstrated its commitment to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology by donating five full toolbox sets for international students, which have already been spoken for by eager students who will benefit from this invaluable donation.

General, Agriculture, Donors, Events, Partnerships, Student Success Olds College and Rupertsland Institute Strengthen Partnership to Support Métis Learners Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and Rupertsland Institute (RLI) marked a significant expansion of their longstanding partnership during a special event held on campus yesterday. The enhanced collaboration underscores both institutions' shared commitment to providing Métis learners with increased educational opportunities in agriculture and related fields.

Student Success Two Olds College Students Win the 2024 Bayer Crop Science Opportunity Scholarship We're thrilled to share that two of our very own students, Zenith Vanstone and Keagan Grills, have been awarded the 2024 Bayer Crop Science Opportunity Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship supports first-year students pursuing post-secondary education in agriculture, food science or culinary programs.

General, Events, Programs Olds College Hosts 2024 Open House; Attracts Future Leaders in Agriculture and Technology With open doors and plenty of excitement, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology welcomed more than 1,000 prospective students during its two-day Open House on Oct. 4 and 5. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the campus and envision their future at the College.

Smart Farm Olds College Research Team Nominated for ASTech Award The Smart Agriculture Applied Research team at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has been nominated for an ASTech Award. Roy Maki, Research Project Manager; Yevgen Mykhaylichenko, Technology Integration Specialist; Sofia Bahmutsky, Data Scientist; and Julie Cobb, Research Technician make up part of a team of 20 people at Olds College vying for the prestigious honour of Researcher of the Year.

Agriculture, Smart Farm Olds College Receives $1.5 Million for Applied Agriculture Research Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is receiving $1.5 million from the federal government to support applied agriculture research.

Agriculture, Events, Partnerships Olds College, Agri-Trade Announce Transition of AgSmart Educational Expo Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is excited to announce the transition of the AgSmart Educational Expo to the Agri-Trade Equipment Expo group. This strategic move follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Olds College and Agri-Trade earlier this month.

General, Admissions, Programs Olds College Celebrates Apprenticeship Day Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is thrilled to celebrate Apprenticeship Day on Sept. 23, a day established by the Alberta Government through the Special Days Act in 2022. This important occasion is recognized annually on the fourth Monday of September and highlights the vital role of skilled tradespeople in our economy.

General, Partnerships, Programs Olds College Collaborates with Industry Partners to Raise the Bar in Craft Beer Quality To assist the domestic craft brewing industry in tackling a long standing and well recognized challenge of improving quality assurance and quality control measures in small and medium-sized breweries, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology worked alongside a team of industry and academic partners to establish the Canadian Craft Brewery Quality Program.

Smart Farm Cutting Energy Costs The Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) building on campus features 44 solar panels, which help reduce energy costs.

General Olds College Unveils the Newly Renovated Animal Health Education Centre: A New Era in Animal Health Learning We're proud to announce that the final phase of construction on our newly renovated Animal Health Education Centre is now officially completed. This cutting-edge facility has fully opened its doors just in time to welcome students for the fall term this week, marking a significant milestone in the College's dedication to advancing animal health education and fostering future growth.

Partnerships, Smart Farm Olds College Partners with University of Guelph on Research Project The Government of Canada has announced a $87.5 million investment over four years to support 16 collaborative research projects involving 165 researchers from 30 different academic institutions across Canada that will contribute to a sustainable, profitable and resilient agriculture and agri-food sector.

Broncos Olds College Broncos Unveil New Brand On Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, the Broncos officially revealed an updated brand that will be used to represent Olds College athletics teams this year and into the future. The new look is reflected on a wide variety of team assets, including new uniforms for basketball, women's hockey, rodeo, soccer and volleyball teams, which account for approximately 160 student-athletes.

Smart Farm Research Gains Interest from Australia Autonomous agriculture research at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has gained interest from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia.

Events, Smart Farm DiscoveryLab Recap Startups, new ventures, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture technology and agribusiness sectors were busy pitching plans at the DiscoveryLab@AgSmart event at Olds College on July 29.

Partnerships New MOUs Signed with Three International Post-Secondary Institutions Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is thrilled to announce new Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), Tarlac Agriculture University (TAU) in the Philippines and Shinhan University in South Korea.

Events, Partnerships, Smart Farm Bushel Plus Harvest Clinic More than 40 producers from across Western Canada gathered at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology on Aug. 7-8 to attend Bushel Plus & Harvest Optimization Clinic.

Smart Farm Celebrating 6 years on the Smart Farm In June 2018, Olds College officially launched the Olds College Smart Farm on 110 acres. Six years later, the Smart Farm is more than 3,000 acres in five different geographic locations across two provinces & focused on accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada's agriculture industry.

Donors, Partnerships Self-Guided Tour Launches at Shuttleworth Conservation Park The tour, which takes about an hour to complete, features a wide range of sights and sounds. If you're taking a walk through the park, you'll see several things, including wetlands, a woodland ecosystem and wildlife.

Agriculture, Events, Smart Farm AgSmart 2024 Welcomes Over 3,600 Attendees The fifth annual AgSmart, held on July 30 and 31 at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, proved to be a resounding success, drawing over 3,600 attendees eager to explore the latest advancements in agricultural technology.

Donors, Partnerships, Smart Farm FCC renews commitment to Olds College Smart Farm and AgExpert Data Lab Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is pleased to announce a renewed financial commitment to Olds College, marking five years of successful partnership focused on advancing ag technology and applied research through the Olds College Smart Farm.

Donors, Partnerships, Smart Farm Olds College Recognizes RME as 2024 Partner of the Year Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is proud to announce RME as its 2024 Partner of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding contributions to the college and the agriculture industry. The announcement was made today as part of AgSmart, Olds College's annual educational expo.

Donors, Smart Farm Exploring the Saskatchewan Smart Farm with Marge Steckler Margery Steckler and her late husband, George, pledged 800 acres of land west of Craik, Saskatchewan to Olds College in 2022, and Marge recently traveled back to Craik for the first time since 1971 with two Olds College team members.

Agriculture, Events Alberta Young Speakers For Agriculture On July 8, 2024, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology hosted the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture's (AYSA) preliminary judging round for their public speaking competition.

General, Agriculture, Donors, Smart Farm Olds College Receives More Than $3 Million from PrairiesCan Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is receiving more than $3 million from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to expand Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan and purchase new equipment to help further research agriculture challenges impacting the Prairies.

General, Events Pitch your Plan at DiscoveryLab@AgSmart on July 29 We're inviting startups, new ventures and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in agriculture technology and agribusiness to join DiscoveryLab@AgSmart on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General, Smart Farm Olds College Receives $1 Million from Canada Foundation for Innovation Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is receiving $1 million in infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

General Olds College Continuing Education Renamed to Industry Training & Continuing Education Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is pleased to announce its Continuing Education & Corporate Training department is renamed to "Industry Training & Continuing Education".

Partnerships, Smart Farm Olds College Receives Federal Research Funding Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is getting a significant boost to support applied research in agriculture with an award of $516,723 from the College and Community Innovation program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

General, Programs Education Minister Visits Olds, and Emphasizes the Importance of Career-Based Learning The partners of the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI) program were pleased to showcase career pathways learning underway in Central Alberta, at an event at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology held on June 20.

Events, Student Life, Student Success Olds College Celebrates 109th Graduating Class A milestone was reached at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology as we celebrated our 109th graduating class with a total of 939 graduates, our largest in history and the first time that convocation was split into two ceremonies.

General, Events, Programs A Day of Discovery & Exploration Our recent Discovery Day held on May 15 was a resounding success, bringing together approximately 750 attendees from all corners of the country from British Columbia to New Brunswick. A total of 23 school groups participated which created a vibrant and diverse student group across campus at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.

Broncos, Student Success Broncos Rodeo Produces Strong CCFR Showing The Olds College Broncos rodeo team has another Canadian College Rodeo Association (CCRA) champion in its stable.

General, Smart Farm Olds College Hosts Ambassadors from Around the World On May 22, 2024, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology was pleased to welcome 29 ambassadors organized by Global Affairs Canada to tour the campus and Olds College Smart Farm to learn more about digital agriculture and technology.

Donors, Partnerships, Smart Farm Rocky Mountain Equipment Sponsors New Sprayer for Olds College On May 10, 2024, Rocky Mountain Equipment (RME) delivered a brand-new New Holland Sprayer to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to be used during the growing seasons for the next three years on the Smart Farm. This generous donation from Rocky Mountain Equipment includes the usage of equipment to support Smart Farm operations, research activities and general farm management.

Donors, Partnerships New Scholarship from the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park, a new $3,500 scholarship, the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park Award has been created at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to encourage students with a passion for food sustainability.

General, Programs, Student Success Olds College Instructor Explores Digital Communication in Peer-Reviewed Article Olds College is proud to share the accomplishment of Noah Bradley, Communications Instructor in the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, who recently had a peer-reviewed journal article published.

Smart Farm Olds College is the Gold Recipient of the Applied Research & Innovation Excellence Award at CICan Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is thrilled to be the gold recipient of the 2024 Applied Research and Innovation Excellence Award from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). The College received its Award of Excellence during the CICan Awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at CICan's Annual Conference held in Calgary this year.

Olds College Hosts CICan Delegation from the Caribbean & Kenya On April 26, 2024, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology was thrilled to welcome over 30 guests from numerous post-secondary institutions located in the Caribbean as part of the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) initiative in partnership with CICan (Colleges and Institutes Canada) experiential learning initiative.

Events, Smart Farm AgTech Investment Panel a Resounding Success Hosted by Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and the Regional Innovation Networks (RINs) across Alberta that are supported by Alberta Innovates, a virtual panel on "Investing in Agriculture Technology" drew attention from across the province and beyond, with 65 attendees from a diverse audience eager to explore opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Dr. Ben Cecil, President and CEO of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

General, Administration Olds College Calls for Equitable Federal Funding to Boost Research Impact and Economic Growth Dr. Ben Cecil, President and CEO of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, delivered compelling testimony before the Federal Government's Standing Committee on Scientific Research, urging for a re-evaluation of the distribution of federal government funding to better support college research activities.

Broncos Olds College Broncos Honour Soccer & Futsal Standouts at Annual Awards Night Soccer and futsal dominated the major award selections at the Olds College Broncos annual awards night on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Tiona Paton, from Morinville, Alta. enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree - Agribusiness, and Pedro Noschang, from Novo Hamburgo, Brasil enrolled in the Business Management program, were named the 2023-24 Broncos Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively.

Student Success Aspiring jockey from Barbados pursues dream in Alberta Meet our inspiring student, Zach, from Barbados, chasing his dream to become a world-class jockey with our Continuing Education Racetrack Exercise Rider program.

Programs In Step with Industry: Olds College Renames Animal Health & Brewmaster Diplomas Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is excited to unveil the renaming of two of our diploma programs. This update shows the College's ongoing commitment to remain at the forefront of industry standards and ensure our educational offerings reflect the evolving landscapes of their respective fields.

General, Student Life New Functional Fitness Space Now Open at Community Learning Campus The Community Learning Campus (CLC) is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest addition, the eagerly awaited functional fitness space. With the floor laid, walls freshly painted and state-of-the-art equipment installed, the space is now ready to welcome members.

Events, Programs, Student Success Olds College Hosts Successful Annual Horseshoeing Contest, Raises Funds for Farrier Benevolent Fund March 23-24, 2024 was Olds College annual horseshoeing contest "The Olds Classic". Aaron Perry and Madeline Kwan collaborated with the competition company, North 49 Farriers, to organize and run this significant industry event. We had the great pleasure of hosting the incredible Justin Fountain as our judge, he has been on the Canadian farrier's team multiple times and is currently on the team this year.

Student Success Business Management Students Excel at Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition Five ambitious students in their second year of the Business Management Diploma program at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology showcased their business strategy skills at the annual Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition on March 14 to 16.

Events, Smart Farm Sheep Producers Thrilled with the First Sheep Research Showcase On March 20, 2024, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and Lakeland College Applied Research co-hosted a Sheep Research Showcase in Olds, Alta. welcoming close to 70 people to the first-time event (in the midst of a snowstorm). The Sheep Research Showcase was created to highlight emerging technologies and management practices to support students and producers interested in sheep production.

Events, Programs, Student Success Dual Credit Students Test their Skills at Welding Competition Three high school students got the opportunity to showcase and access their welding skills at the Skills Canada Alberta Regional competition on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Broncos Broncos Make History with ACAC Futsal Awards A pair of Olds College Broncos futsal players were recognized in Lac La Biche as the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) handed out All-Conference awards in the sport for the first time in its history.

Smart Farm Olds College Research Associate Gets Peer-Reviewed Journal Article Published We're proud to announce Dayani Patuwatha Withanage, Research Associate, Crop Research at Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), recently had a peer-reviewed journal article published.

Smart Farm trades-building.jpg We're proud to announce Dayani Patuwatha Withanage, Research Associate, Crop Research at Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), recently had a peer-reviewed journal article published.

Donors Olds College Receives $63M for Trades Building Renovation The Government of Alberta announced on Thursday, February 29, the allocation of $63 million in capital funding to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology for the renovation and expansion of the W.J. Elliott Building.

Student Life, Student Success Empowering Tomorrow: Highlights from the Career Fair The winter Career Fair held on Tuesday, February 6 in the Alumni Centre and Learning Commons brought together 76 employers, including 21 premium employers, and attracted a crowd of 600 students eager to explore their future career prospects.

Agriculture, Partnerships, Programs, Student Success Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Impact of Industry Partnerships on Work-Integrated Learning Work-integrated learning bridges academia and industry, empowering students with real-world experience. Olds College cultivates partnerships, providing students with practical skills and industry with talented individuals. Students gain valuable experience and competitive advantage, exemplified by Connor Dawson's training at Hebert Grain Ventures. Collaboration between academia and industry shapes the future of agriculture, equipping students for success.

General Trades Students Service Rotary Los Amigos Project In preparation for a long journey to Mexico through the Alberta Rotary Club Los Amigos Project, two frosty fire trucks were serviced by students in the Heavy Equipment Technician Diploma program at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.

Administration Board Chair Announcement Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is announcing that the Honourable Ted Menzies is stepping down as Board Chair effective immediately due to personal reasons. While regretful of the need for this decision, Ted expressed deep optimism for the work that the Board and College will do together to ensure the sustainability of Olds College long into the future.

The Recruitment team was among the many groups who worked so hard to have us meet our enrolment targets.

General Breaking New Ground: Olds College Surges Toward Strategic Enrolment Goals Olds College of Agriculture & Technology proudly announces it is on track to meet its enrolment target for the current academic year and projected to meet the enrolment goals set in its strategic plan, Growing 2025. As of Jan. 16, 2024, the enrolment projection for the 2023-2024 academic year stands at an impressive 1,987.21 full load equivalents (FLEs) with a headcount of 3,150.

Olds College Hosts Distinguished Visitor from the Philippines In a warm welcome that transcended borders, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology hosted guests: Zaldy B. Patron, the Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, and Nathan Cooper, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.

Community Learning Campus Upgrading Fitness Facilities to Meet Growing Training Needs! The Community Learning Campus (CLC) is thrilled to announce plans to upgrade its fitness facilities to better cater to the increasing training needs of its valued clients.

Student Life Home for the Holidays Initiative Brings Joyful Connections In the spirit of giving and togetherness, the "Home for the Holidays" initiative, run by Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, successfully brought together international and out-of-province students with local community hosts.