The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance and National Revenue, visited Olds College of Agriculture & Technology on Sept. 9, 2026, observing firsthand how the institution is driving innovation and sustainability across Canada's agricultural sector.
As part of the campus tour, Minister Champagne experienced the Olds College Smart Farm, the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre and the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP) feedlots, exploring how Olds College is advancing agriculture for a better world. He was able to see Olds College’s multi-pronged impacts, from the ground-breaking applied research that directly benefits Canadian producers, to the industry partnerships that test and validate new technologies, to the students learning critical skills that prepare them for jobs across the agriculture industry.
“The work happening at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology showcases the strength of Canada’s agricultural sector. By validating cutting-edge technology and innovations for practical farm application and training our workforce for the future, Olds College is strengthening both the agricultural and educational sectors, and driving economic growth across Alberta and all of Canada."
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue
Since 2018, the 3,300-acre Olds College Smart Farm has partnered with nearly 500 agricultural companies to accelerate market-ready technologies for farmers and ranchers nationwide. Today, industry collaboration accounts for about 40 per cent of the College’s applied research revenues.
Olds College serves as a global showcase for Canadian agricultural technology, welcoming over 3,000 visitors annually from more than 34 countries and partnering with leading agricultural academic institutions like the University of Alberta, University of Guelph, and University of Saskatchewan, among others.
“Olds College was honoured to welcome Minister Champagne to our campus and showcase the high-impact work taking place on the Smart Farm. We discussed how validating new agricultural techniques and technologies — such as autonomous equipment, crop treatments, agricultural drones, livestock diagnostic tools and so many others — helps producers save time and capital, while helping businesses ensure their products are market-ready.”
Todd Ormann, Vice President of External Relations and Research, Olds College
During the visit, College leadership engaged with the Minister on key strategic priorities to support Canada's long-term prosperity. Discussions focused on the importance of predictable federal funding for applied research, emphasizing a needed shift toward stable operational funding for applied agricultural research.
Long-term support ensures the preservation of multi-year field trials, retains top talent within Canada, and enables the strategic infrastructure planning and upgrades required to keep Canadian agriculture competitive on the global stage.
Olds College is part of a vital economic engine for Canadian agriculture, ensuring farm and ranch operations across Alberta and the entire country stay resilient, innovative, and sustainable for generations to come.