Olds College of Agriculture & Technology welcomed over 75 researchers, producers and industry leaders to campus for the 2026 Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW), held Feb. 17-19, 2026. The theme of the 62nd edition of this conference was the Future of Soil Science in Regenerative Agriculture.
Three representatives from Olds College played key leadership roles in organizing the event. Dr. Tahmid Huq Easher served as Conference Chair of the 2026 ASSW Organizing Committee, alongside committee members Dr. Semeton Amosu and Michael Frankiw.
The conference showcased an impressive lineup of more than 30 speakers from across Alberta’s agriculture sector — many of whom are instructors and researchers from Olds College. Sessions highlighted advancements in regenerative agriculture, soil microbiology, marginal land management, nutrient optimization and soil information systems that support land-use decision making.
"Chairing this 62-year legacy was a privilege,” says Huq Easher. “Together, we’re fostering the networking and expertise needed to achieve resilient agronomic, environmental and reclamation success in Alberta."
Kicking off the conference, Bob Hoffos, Geospatial Technology Instructor at Olds College, led an interactive workshop featuring hands-on demonstrations of the Agricultural Region of Alberta Soil Inventory Database (AGRASID). Participants explored how AGRASID provides detailed soil and landscape descriptions for agricultural regions.
On the second day, Jay Steeves, Dean of the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology at Olds College, moderated an engaging panel discussion titled Soil at the Crossroads: Science, Stewardship and Scale in Regenerative Agriculture. Panelists included Dr. Carlos Romero, Senior Sustainability Manager at Nutrien, Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, CEO of CL Ranches Ltd. and First Vice-Chair of the Calgary Stampede, and Dr. Eric Bremer, Head of Research & Development, Western Ag Innovations Inc.
A series of research presentations followed, covering a wide range of forward-thinking topics. Sofia Bahmutsky, Data Scientist with the Smart Agriculture team at Olds College, presented research on measuring agricultural nitrous oxide emissions in variable-rate fertilization cereal plots. She also shared findings from her work titled, Variable Rate Fertilization Strategies for Emissions Reduction: Spatially Resolved Life Cycle Assessments of Alberta Cereal Crop Production.
Daniel Stefner, Project Lead for the Smart Agriculture team, discussed innovative approaches to converting marginal cropland input drains into income gains — demonstrating how data-driven decision-making can turn underperforming acres into strategic opportunities. Dr. Semeton Amosu, Research Associate with Environmental Stewardship at Olds College, reviewed how digital technologies can optimize soil quality and health assessments, enabling more accurate monitoring and long-term sustainability planning.
Dr. Luke Laurence, Instructor at Olds College, introduced a tiered approach for implementing nitrogen mineralization estimates to better inform nutrient management decisions. Dr. Felippe Karp, Faculty Member at Olds College, presented on on-farm precision experimentation to optimize seeding and nitrogen rates in Alberta wheat production.
Dr. Debbie Thompson, President & CEO of Olds College, welcomed the conference participants to the banquet dinner, celebrating the community’s shared passion for soil science. She highlighted Olds College’s role in cultivating the next generation of soil stewards and leaders through specialized, hands-on programs and cutting-edge research.
The 2026 ASSW not only highlighted the depth of expertise within Alberta’s agricultural community, but also reinforced Olds College’s leadership in applied research and technology-driven agriculture. As attendees returned to their operations and organizations, they carried forward new ideas, strengthened partnerships and a renewed commitment to stewarding Alberta’s soils.