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Dr. Debbie Thompson, President of Olds College, provided updates about Olds College continuing to be a leader in agriculture across the province and country. The college is one of the very few post secondary institutions that is focused solely on agriculture and is creating the next generation of agriculture leaders by developing talent, advancing knowledge and championing stewardship and sustainability. It is focused on development technological innovation and development of workplace skills. Founded in 1913, Olds Colleges continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of the agricultural industry. The college strives to educate, advance research, train, and be an advocate for agricultural advances.
The School of Life Sciences (animal health, business and horticulture), School of Trades and Skills, and the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology (applied research) provide education to over 2500 learners each year with 93 % of students are employed within 6 months of graduating. The Smart Farm allows for applied research to be conducted that will help farming operations use smart technologies and solutions to evolve practices. Through continuous education students are able to upgrade their skills and take advantage of new opportunities for learning within a flexible schedule. Advocacy for agriculture is necessary in order for a sustainable future. Increasing the awareness and knowledge of the public of the importance of agriculture to the economy and our daily lives ensures a better future. Agriculture supports 2.3 milion jobs which is more than jobs in the oil, gas, automotives industries combined. In Alberta, over 44 000 Albertans are employed in primary agriculture and over 3800 involved in the food and beverage industry, attesting to the need for learning institutions such as Olds College to continue to evolve.