Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) have teamed up to conduct further research about marginal land, which represents an estimated five to 10 per cent of cultivated land in Canada. Producers farm these areas at a net loss, creating challenges for their bottom line as they try to balance profitability with sustainable land use.
This research project was launched in 2025 and ends in 2028. It is being conducted at the Olds College Smart Farm, which is a living laboratory on campus for crop, livestock and agricultural technology research spread over 3,000 acres.
The project seeks to address opportunities to restore marginal cropland into profitable cropland using remediation methods that will produce results within one growing season. The insights gained by researchers will support FCC and its customers in making informed decisions about sustainable land remediation strategies.