(L-R): Michael Frankiw, student; Debbie Thompson, Vice President Academic and Student Experience, Olds College; David Werklund, Founder and Chairman of Werklund Ventures Ltd.; Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College; Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary–Bow and Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education. (Olds College)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

higher learning

Olds College opens new agricultural technology school

Sep 22, 2019 | 6:00 PM

Olds College has announced the launch of the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology.

Through the school, students will have access to new ag tech programs, including a diploma in Precision Agriculture – Techgronomy, and post-diploma certificate in Agriculture Technology Integration.

Classes will take place in the Olds College Smart Farm, the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, and the new ag tech learning hub which is set to open in fall of 2022.

“This is a historic day for Olds College. The launch of the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, is a profound statement of our commitment to building Alberta’s position as a global leader in agriculture and technology,” comments Stuart Cullum, President, Olds College. “On behalf of Olds College, I would like to sincerely thank David Werklund and Susan Norman for investing in Olds College, our students and the future of agriculture.”

The new school is so named after Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and oilfield industry leader David Werklund, who along with his wife Susan Norman have been supporters of Olds College for several years.

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“Susan and I are delighted that the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology will lead the way to a revolutionary change in agricultural learning,” says Werklund. “We have a passion for innovation and new technologies and we firmly believe in investing in youth and education. Olds College was a natural choice for us because of its longstanding commitment to agriculture education and our shared vision towards engaging more of Alberta’s youth in the business of agriculture through leading technological advancement.”

Registration for the new agriculture technology diploma and post-diploma certificate programs will begin Oct. 1, 2019, with the first intake slated to start on campus in fall of 2020.