OLDS — Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Olds College have extended their initial five-year Smart Farm partnership -- which began in 2019 -- for another five years.
The partnership extension, which was actually inked about six months ago, was officially announced July 31 on the second and last day of AgSmart, the college’s annual outdoor on-campus agriculture innovation and practices show.
Olds College vice-president of of development Todd Ormann and vice-president of research Joy Agnew praised FCC, not only for supporting the college’s efforts at innovation and research, but also helping it expand that role into Saskatchewan, as well as helping to support students, with visits to Agribition in Regina, for example.
“In the world of agriculture there are very few organizations like FCC that, like the college, champion not just their business, but agriculture as a whole,” Ormann said.
He said FCC’s AgExpert division is “very tailored to Western Canada, it’s very tailored to various different groups, like potato growers, farmers here.”
Agnew echoed Ormann’s words.
“Their funding allows us to explore critical issues facing the ag sector and develop practical solutions that benefit producers on the ground,” she said.
Agnew said one example is FCC’s support for researching best management practices for marginal crop land.
“This project helps producers identify and manage their marginal farmland, based on environmental and economic factors and really showcases the fact that they can increase their profitability and their environmental sustainability by managing areas differently,” she said.
“This is real-world, practical information that farmers benefit from today and it would not be possible without the support we get from FCC.”
“In short, FCC’s partnership is a game-changer for Olds College. Their financial support, combined with their strategic vision and commitment to collaboration is propelling us forward in our mission to advance ag research and education.”
Mohammed Yaghi, vice-president of AgExpert and the Innovation Hub at FCC, praised Olds College for its part in the partnership.
He said FCC are “proud partner/sponsors” of AgSmart and they plan to continue that, because they see Smart Farms like the one in Olds and others across the country as key for Canada’s efficiency and competitiveness in the agriculture sector.
He said that’s why FCC and Olds College renewed their partnership, because they see it as “extending our commitment to solving problems and ensuring that we’re solving the biggest problems the ag sector faces.”
Yaghi said since the partnership began in 2019, Olds College has made “significant strides” in new technology and innovative practices within the agricultural sector.
“Together, FCC and Olds College are poised to further redefine the sector and bring more contributions,” he added.
“FCC is proud to continue working with a partner like Olds College and hopes that this new phase of our partnership will only lead to bigger and better things.”
It was noted that, in recognition of that partnership, the college’s Smart Farm Operations Centre has been renamed the FCC Smart Farm Operations Centre.
Those who attended the partnership extension announcement were invited to get on board buses for a drive to the operations centre to see the new signage and take a tour.
