Olds College

What Olds College does

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is a public post-secondary institution headquartered in Olds, Alberta, founded in 1913 and operating under the Government of Alberta with 251-500 employees. The institution delivers diploma, certificate, degree, trades, apprenticeship, microcredential, and continuing education programs centered on agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental management, meat processing, and trades, and rebranded in 2021 to reflect a deliberate pivot toward agricultural technology.

The core technology platform is the 3,300-acre Olds College Smart Farm, Canada's primary AgTech testing facility and the anchor of the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network spanning Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Southern Ontario. Supporting infrastructure includes the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre (3,000 sq m), the National Meat Training Centre (the only facility of its kind in North America), the 25-acre Botanic Gardens and Constructed Wetlands, controlled environment agriculture facilities, and a 2,300 sq ft brewery and greenhouse operated as student-run social enterprises. In 2024/25 the college executed 84 industry-driven applied research projects and has engaged 415 organizations in research since 2018.

Revenue is dominated by government funding at 54% of total, supplemented by approximately 14% student tuition and 32% from industry partnerships, applied research contracts, and donations. Pricing varies by credential: a 15-week Meat Processing Certificate runs ~$5,200 CAD for domestic students, while continuing education microcredentials are priced between $449 and $899 per course. Distribution is primarily on-campus in Olds with a new Calgary-based AgSphere innovation hub at Stampede grounds (backed by $2.75M from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund) and online delivery for joint continuing education programs with Assiniboine Community College and the University of Saskatchewan. Recent strategic restructuring includes the suspension of the Craft Beverage and Brewery Operations program and the scheduled June 2026 closure of the Olds College Brewery.

Name

Olds College

Legal name

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology

Website

https://oldscollege.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is a Canadian public post-secondary institution delivering diplomas, certificates, trades, and microcredentials in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing, and AgTech. It operates the 3,300-acre Smart Farm, the National Meat Training Centre, and the pan-Canadian Smart Farm Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Vocational Training in Agriculture and Technology

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural technology education
• Horticulture certificate programs
• Applied agricultural research
• Trades and skills training
• Post-secondary agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Olds

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Olds College receives 54% of its funding from the government, making it the primary revenue source.
2. Student Tuition: Student tuition accounts for approximately 14% of total funding. Tuition varies by program with domestic students paying approximately $3,100 for the Meat Processing Certificate program.
3. Campus Learning Enterprises: Revenue generated from campus retail operations including the Olds College Brewery, Greenhouse, Retail Meat Store, and Campus Store. All revenue from these social enterprises supports academic programming.
4. Industry Partnerships and Donations: The college receives 32% of funding from other sources including industry partnerships, donor contributions, and applied research contracts with companies like SVG Ventures THRIVE, SeedMaster, and others.
5. Continuing Education Programs: Non-credit certificate and microcredential programs in areas like Craft Distilling, Brewing, Horticulture, and Meat Processing generate registration fees ranging from $449 to $899 per course.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Olds College is a public post-secondary polytechnic institution that delivers diploma, degree, certificate, trades, apprenticeship, microcredential, and continuing education programs with a specialization in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental management, trades, brewing, distilling, and meat processing. It couples teaching with applied research through the 3,300-acre Smart Farm, the Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI), the National Meat Training Centre, the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre, and other specialized facilities, providing industry partners with agricultural technology validation, workforce training, and applied research services.

Product overview

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology operates as a polytechnic institution with a portfolio of educational programs and campus learning facilities. The core offerings include the Olds College Smart Farm (3,300-acre agricultural technology testing hub), the Werklund Agriculture and Technology Centre, and the National Meat Training Centre. The institution's campus operations include a Greenhouse, Olds College Brewery (closing June 2026), Retail Meat Store, Botanic Gardens & Constructed Wetlands (25 acres), The Studio (film production), and Print Services. Educational programs span horticulture, meat processing, craft beverage production (brewing and distilling), with various diploma, certificate, and microcredential offerings. The institution also provides digital credentialing through MyCreds powered by Digitary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prairie Horticulture Certificate

Quantifiable outcome

• 415 organizations engaged in research projects since 2018
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AgSphereflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025New Calgary-based agricultural hub operating at Stampede grounds, created through collaboration between Calgary Economic Development and Olds College. Focuses on AI, sensors, drones, and gene editing technologies with testing and training services.
• Lethbridge PolytechniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Alberta Innovates funding initiative operating shared labs, testing sites, and programs for agricultural technology commercialization.
• SVG THRIVE (Silicon Valley-based)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilicon Valley-based partner organization in the Alberta Innovates funding initiative providing access to global AgTech innovation networks and testing infrastructure.
• Calgary Economic DevelopmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of AgSphere innovation hub at Calgary Stampede grounds. Calgary Economic Development provides strategic direction and $2.75M in funding from Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. Olds College serves as the testing ground for startups validating products.
• BridgelandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerField school partner for the Craft Distilling program where students complete their one-week practical work placement at an approved distillery.
• Assiniboine Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner with Olds College and University of Saskatchewan in the Prairie Horticulture Certificate program, specifically delivering Fruit and Vegetable Production stream courses and related horticulture curriculum.
• University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner with Olds College and Assiniboine Community College in the Prairie Horticulture Certificate program, delivering foundational courses including Applied Botany and Soils for Horticulture.
• Bob and Carollyne CollierflagshipOthersRecognized as 2026 Partner of the Year by Olds College - the highest honour bestowed, celebrating partners who demonstrate exceptional commitment. Bob Collier Foundation is also a significant donor in the $25,000-$99,999 category.
• Alberta CREATEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads the NanoFAB semiconductor fabrication facility used by Edmonton startup TransEON for technology commercialization. Supported through Alberta Innovates funding.
• University of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads DEFENDS, a province-wide defence initiative connecting SMEs to secure testing sites. Partner in Alberta Innovates shared infrastructure funding.
• Alberta Regional Lily SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2008 for lily trials and establishment of collection gardens including species lilies, Alberta Bred Lilies, and martagons in the Botanic Gardens.
• Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaminorOthersHonourable Heath MacDonald visited Olds College in June 2026 along with Deputy Minister Lawrence Hanson to tour facilities and meet with industry representatives.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Guelph (Ontario Agricultural College): Canada's premier agricultural university with extensive applied research infrastructure. Comparable as a research-intensive agricultural education institution with strong industry partnerships and Smart Farm-style innovation platforms.
• Red River College Polytechnic: Manitoba's largest applied education institution with strong trades and agricultural programs. Comparable as a prairie-region polytechnic delivering hands-on, industry-aligned programs across multiple trades disciplines.
• Lakeland College: Alberta-based public college with similar agricultural technology, trades, and applied programs. Directly comparable as a rural Alberta polytechnic offering agricultural diploma and certificate programs with industry partnerships.
• University of Saskatchewan (College of Agriculture and Bioresources): Joint partner in Prairie Horticulture Certificate program and a leading Canadian agricultural research institution. Comparable as a major prairie-region agriculture education and research provider with applied research mandate.
• Niagara College Canada: Canadian college with renowned food processing, brewing, and horticulture programs including the Canadian Food and Wine Institute. Directly comparable for craft beverage, meat processing, and horticulture program offerings.
• Lethbridge Polytechnic: Alberta peer institution that partnered with Olds College on Alberta Innovates funding for shared agricultural technology infrastructure. Comparable as an Alberta polytechnic with applied agricultural research focus.
• Assiniboine Community College: Manitoba-based partner in the Prairie Horticulture Certificate joint program. Comparable as a prairie-focused agricultural and trades education provider delivering applied diploma and certificate programs.

Emerging players

• Kwantlen Polytechnic University: BC-based polytechnic with notable horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and brewing programs. Comparable as a Canadian institution with applied agricultural programs and craft beverage education, though with a stronger horticulture than AgTech focus.

Broad incumbents

• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology): Larger Alberta polytechnic with broader trades and technology offerings. Comparable as a publicly funded applied education institution in Alberta, though with a broader mandate beyond agriculture.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology): Calgary-based polytechnic with technology and trades focus. Comparable as an Alberta public post-secondary institution with applied research and industry partnership models, though with less agriculture specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OldsCollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OldsCollegeAgTech
• Facebookfacebook.com/oldscollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/oldscollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/oldscollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Olds College