Olds College is receiving more than $3 million from the federal government to expand its Smart Farm operations in Saskatchewan and purchase new equipment for agricultural research.
Dan Vandal, Minister of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced the funding at the school’s main campus at Olds, Alta., on Wednesday as part of a broader announcement of $21 million in federal funding for 14 value-added agriculture projects.
“We are extremely proud to be accelerating the development and adoption of agriculture technologies and practices, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and providing invaluable work-integrated learning for our students on the Olds College Smart Farm,” said Todd Ormann, Olds College’s vice president, development, as part of the announcement. “By expanding our research and Smart Farm operations, we get additional opportunities to integrate agriculture technology into the classrooms for an enriched learning environment so our students get the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the agriculture industry.”
The federal government, through PrairiesCan, was an early supporter of Olds College’s Smart Farm over the past six years, noted Joy Agnew, the school’s vice president, research.
“The team at Olds College has engaged with hundreds of SMEs on projects to advance over 500 products and services. These engagements have resulted in the creation of almost 1,000 new jobs in the ag tech space and close to $1 billion in business revenues by the companies who have been able to benefit from the unique assets and expertise at the Smart Farm,” noted Agnew.
The college expanded its Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan in 2022 thanks to a pledge of 800 acres of land west of Craik, SK, from Margery Steckler and her late husband, George Steckler.
The PrairiesCan announcement at Olds College on Wednesday also included funding commitments to the following businesses and organizations:
– G.S. Dunn Ltd. ($2,469,236)
Upgrade its southern Alberta facility with new milling and packaging equipment to expand production capacity and better meet growing global demand for its mustard products.
– Olds College ($3,017,720)
Expand Smart Farm operations into Saskatchewan and purchase new equipment to increase capacity to research agriculture challenges impacting the Prairies, including food security, crop protection, livestock health, and environmental sustainability.
– Olds College ($2,378,900)
Deliver programming to assist agricultural focused start-ups in partnership with THRIVE Canada and upgrade facilities to provide a space where small- and medium-sized ag businesses can showcase their innovations. This programming was delivered beginning in 2022 and facility upgrades were completed in 2023.
– Stettler Adult Learning Council ($250,000)
Establish a Regenerative Agricultural Lab to help Alberta food producers and stakeholders explore and adopt sustainable regenerative agriculture practices.
– University of Alberta ($250,000)
Purchase and optimize a prototyping unit that will determine best practices for producing regenerated cellulose fibre through the Lyocell process leading to Canadian-made, environmentally friendly, cellulose/hemp-based products including personal protective equipment, dental floss, healthcare products, and more.
– Alberta Bio Processing Innovation Centre and Alberta Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator ($1,125,000)
Purchase and install new equipment in the two provincially-operated facilities, enabling more small- and medium-sized businesses to test and commercialize value-added agricultural or food products.
– Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) ($1,038,538)
Lead a collaborative initiative to develop knowledge and supply chains that help organizations operating in the plant protein industry reduce food waste by converting starch by-products into high-value sugars used by biofuel and food manufacturers.
– Venturepark Labs ($523,064)
Host a new annual industry event and create a national online member-based program that offers workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to help early-stage food and natural product businesses launch and grow.
– PIP Lethbridge Inc. ($5,215,685)
Purchase equipment, recruit staff, and increase manufacturing capacity at the Lethbridge processing facility to better meet demand for its plant-based protein products.
– BiziSul Inc. ($2,590,000)
Establish a new manufacturing facility in central Alberta that converts waste sulphur from oil and gas production into a high-grade fertilizer.
– Pure Life Carbon ($2,071,828)
Upgrade and expand an existing manufacturing facility to increase production of its proprietary soil alternative products used in agricultural applications.
– Alexander Business Corporation ($146,800)
Assess the feasibility of two plant-based protein opportunities for Alexander First Nation including researching an investment opportunity and conducting a study on a possible nation-owned production facility that would sell raw flour to plant-based food retailers and ingredient manufacturers.
– North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance ($300,000)
Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to develop a water management model that will help inform development and water use decisions within the North Saskatchewan River Basin.
– Wyvern Incorporated ($458,344)
Launch a new proprietary system and network of satellites that significantly reduces the cost of satellite imaging used to increase the adoption of innovative farming solutions that help preserve ecological zones, increase agricultural yields, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
