The Smart Farm at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology wants to highlight and acknowledge the ‘behind the scenes’ technical and logistical expertise on the farm team. They’re involved in every aspect of keeping the Smart Farm operating, thriving, and ready for applied research and student experience activities!
Someone from the farm team is always on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. After daily meetings starting at 7:30 a.m., the farm team disperses to conquer the endless farm-related tasks.
Alex Baker is the Lead Hand at the Olds College Smart Farm, where he oversees and coordinates daily operations. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agr.) from the University of Guelph, where he majored in Animal Science. He values working with the diverse and dynamic teams that a college environment attracts and enjoys balancing the traditional practices of mixed livestock and crop production with the non-traditional demands of academic and research settings.
Outside of work, Alex operates a commercial and purebred sheep operation alongside his wife, four children and mother. Together, they enjoy exhibiting and marketing purebred replacement stock, as well as training and trailing border collies.
Breanna Houlton is an Assistant Manager for the Olds College Smart Farm and provides leadership across both operational and administrative functions to ensure efficient, safe and innovative farm practices. She supports day-to-day livestock and crop production activities, coordinates staff and contractors and plays a key role in implementing new ag technologies that enhance productivity and sustainability. Breanna's favourite part about her role is working with animals — they’re the best coworkers. She also enjoys connecting with a wide range of people and thrives on the daily problem-solving the job demands. Each day brings new challenges, opportunities to adapt and fresh ideas to explore. She appreciates the opportunity to see emerging ag technologies makes the work even more rewarding.
Breanna graduated from Olds College in 2011 with a diploma in Equine Science, majoring in Equine Reproduction and Breeding. Outside of work, Breanna enjoys anything that gets her outdoors, especially when she’s spending time with her three young kids — two boys and a girl. She loves riding horses, quadding, snowmobiling, hiking, camping and going to live music shows.
Thomas is the Smart Farm Operations Coordinator at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and is responsible for fielding requests that come to the farm. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Mount Royal University and also brings value to the farm team, as he lives on a mixed farm himself. He loves that there is never a dull moment and always something on the go on the farm, and enjoys the opportunity to interact with all departments across the College.
Outside of work at the College, Thomas enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, tinkering with vehicles and participating in escape rooms.
Cara is the Administrative Assistant for the Smart Farm – she is the go-to person for all things administration on the farm. Cara loves the people she works with and enjoys learning something new every day. Cara is also an alumni of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with a certificate in Office Administration. When Cara isn’t working, she loves to garden, travel and spend time with family and friends.
Darrell has been with the Olds College Smart Farm since 2019, and his role focuses on the health and well-being of the cattle. He supports cattle operations which includes helping manage the feedlot, feeding cows, supporting calving and maintaining fences. He also has a big hand in helping students at the College get hands-on experience with the cattle through labs and calving through their programs, such as Animal Health Technology (AHT) program. Darrell says the highlight of the farm team is working with animals everyday and getting to help students gain the experience they need in their programs.
Darrell has extensive experience managing grain and hay farms and cow/calf operations as well as working with cattle at the local auctionmart. He owns his own small cow operation outside of town and is grateful calving season at home occurs at a different time of year than at the College. Darrell is also an alumni of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and took Beef Production.
Roger has been with Olds College of Agriculture & Technology since 2010, and is primarily responsible for animal husbandry. He heads the sheep department and also works with the cows regularly. Roger designs the breeding program for the sheep, and works closely and mentors student teams during lambing season. He is dedicated to his work and is on the clock 24/7 during lambing and calving season. Roger enjoys working with the animals and is quick to say his colleagues on the farm team make for a great working environment. He also highlights working at the College is a continual learning experience for everyone.
Roger thoroughly enjoys animal husbandry and is never far away from livestock. He has spent his whole life on a local farm that breeds and raises national champion Clydesdale horses. His parents were in the Clydesdale business, and Roger has passed his love for horses to his own children who have won championships in driving Clydesdales. His numerous certificates in animal reproduction and animal nutrition for both bovine and equine come in handy at the College and his home farm. Roger is regularly touring state fairs with his champion Clydesdale horses and definitely has a passion for livestock.
Noah joined the farm team in 2022, after graduating with an Animal Science Technology Diploma with a major in beef, and is excited to be part of the advancement of technology and sustainability in agriculture at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. His role is a unique position of helping with everything and anything related to Smart Farm operations and livestock.
Noah highlights that he enjoys the variety of work he does, and all the different people he gets to work with on the Smart Farm including colleagues, researchers and students. Farming has been in Noah’s family for generations, and when he isn’t working, he’s usually helping on the family farm or working on his truck.
As a Smart Farm Technician, Eliana assists all farm operations with a special interest in working with and helping manage the sheep flock on the Smart Farm. She enjoys working with the variation of livestock, especially the sheep and horses. Eliana gained a diploma in Equine Science at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Outside of work, Eliana enjoys hiking, snowboarding and horseback riding.