DOT Seeding Smart Farm for Olds College. Photo Credit: Sergei Belski

By Troy Gillard

first in alberta to sign UN accord

Olds College and Lethbridge College sign agriculture research agreement

Apr 28, 2021 | 10:54 AM

Olds College has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lethbridge College to further explore agricultural research.

To launch the deal, both institutions have signed on to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They’re the first two colleges in Alberta, and among the first in Canada, to sign the accord.

“Olds College and Lethbridge College have a history of addressing the key issues and opportunities of Alberta’s agriculture sector, including through our growing applied research programs,” said Olds College President Stuart Cullum.

“Our impact is significantly enhanced through collaboration and information sharing and this MOU formalizes our intent to work more closely in support of Alberta’s agriculture industry and our province’s economic recovery.”

Cullum added that by signing the SDG Accord, the colleges are, “embracing the leadership that the agriculture sector demonstrates and our roles in enhancing it for the benefit of our industry, our institutions and our students.”

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Lethbridge College’s President and CEO, Dr. Paula Burns said, “both Lethbridge College and Olds College care deeply about creating real-world solutions for our province’s agriculture industry and leading the way into a sustainable future.”

“By clearing the path for our applied research activities to easily collaborate and share information, producers and others in the agriculture industry will benefit, which boosts our province’s economy. And we are making our partnership even more powerful by signing the SDGs accord and showing commitment to being leaders in sustainability.”

The two post-secondary institutions will work together to identify joint projects, refer companies to each other based on the best fit with infrastructure and research expertise, and share relevant data and data networks.

With both college’s having agriculture-based Technology Access Centres, which offer industry support through fee-for-service research activities, Lethbridge and Olds will work in tandem to provide a consistent and competitive fee structure for industry partners.

The MOU initially covers a three-year period and will be governed by a joint committee of representatives from both Lethbridge College and Olds College.