CARSTAIRS-OLDS -- The Pitstra family has donated 316 acres of agricultural land near Carstairs to Olds College.
Valued at $1.2 million, the land will be used to expand the Olds College Smart Farm, a high-tech farm that is transforming agriculture practices through installing, validating and demonstrating cutting-edge technologies, the college said in a press release.
"The Smart Farm creates a cutting edge learning environment for our students and lifelong learners by providing a hands-on venue for industry to develop, integrate and test new agriculture technology that will evolve our current ag practices," said Patrick Machacek, vice-president, development and strategy, Olds College.
"Through the Pitstras' generous gift, they are transforming agriculture education and research at Olds College, by allowing us to expand our Smart Farm."
Jackie Pitstra said that her parents, Willem and Marrigje (Mar) Pitstra, would have been very pleased to know their land was being used by the college.
"Both my parents would be thrilled to know that the farmland will be contributing to research that will inform farming practices in Alberta and around the world," said Jackie Pitstra.
"I believe my dad felt that the college would appreciate the land, and that by donating to the school he would be contributing towards a legacy of education for future generations."
The elder Pitstras both immigrated to Canada from Holland as young adults. They met in Canada and purchased a home in Calgary in 1968. In the 1980s the couple purchased the farmland west of Carstairs.
Willem Pitstra was a welder specializing in pressure welding, while Mar was a self-taught horticulturist and award-winning gardener.
Growing up during the Second World War and the occupation of Holland, educational opportunities were limited. That is why the Pitstras deeply valued education, and it was of high importance during the upbringing of their three children.
"It is so fitting and a great honour that Olds College has received this gift of land from a couple who displayed love for the trades, horticulture and agriculture," said Machacek. "Thank you to the Pitstra family for this generous gift that will have a lasting impact on agriculture education."
