Olds College now has a thought leader in smart agriculture (farming utilizing the latest in high-tech, computerized technology).
Art Froehlich has been hired for that new position, which involves serving as an advisor and industry connector within the Werklund Agriculture Institute.
He was introduced Thursday as the college's experimental smart farm was officially launched. It's part of the Werklund Agriculture Institute (WAI), which will specialize in smart agriculture.
That institute was made possible as a result of a $16-million donation announced last year by David Werklund and Susan Norman.
It was the largest-ever personal donation to an Alberta college or technical institution. There's potential for that figure to rise to $32 million if enough individual and other donations come in.
As thought Leader, Froehlich will chair the newly developed smart agriculture industry advisory council, which will help create a smart agriculture ecosystem at Olds College.
This ecosystem will be anchored by the Olds College Smart Farm and will engage a community of entrepreneurs, businesses, research organizations and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world.
The ecosystem will be a catalyst for the enhancement of academic and research programming at Olds College and investment and business development within the Calgary-Olds Smart Agri-Food Corridor.
“Mr. Froelich is a proven entrepreneur and global agri-business leader. He has a deep knowledge and understanding of the agriculture sector and what is needed in terms of talent and business supports,” Olds College president Stuart Cullum says.
“His experience and insight will be a valuable addition to the college as we continue to build partnerships and grow our smart agriculture ecosystem.”
Froelich is a longtime friend of Olds College. He was bestowed with an honorary degree from there in 2014 and also served as a member of its board of governors.
An active philanthropist, Froelich has been involved in numerous community and corporate organizations and has spent the last three decades working in primary food production, agri-business, and agri-marketing, including executive positions with Westcan Malting Limited, Alberta Wheat Pool and AdFarm.
His resume is bolstered by a list of appointments to industry boards including Canterra Seeds, Genome Alberta and Richardson International Limited, among others.
Froelich values agricultural education, mentoring young entrepreneurs in the Business Development Bank of Canada, and young agrologists for the Alberta Institute of Agrologists.
He is still active in agriculture, raising registered Red Angus cattle, grains and oilseeds on his farm in Saskatchewan.
This story, edited by the Albertan, was provided by Randy Butler, a communications advisor in corporate communications and marketing at Olds College.
