Residents of Olds, Alberta, will have the chance to help shape the future of farming at a public event hosted by Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. “Common Ground: Defining, Leading & Investing in Agriculture” takes place June 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Alumni Centre on campus. The evening is designed to bring together producers, industry partners, and community leaders to talk about how agriculture drives the local economy.
The event features a keynote speech from economist Todd Hirsch, who will explain why putting money into agriculture benefits everyone. Hirsch, formerly the chief economist at ATB Financial, will focus on how agri-food remains one of the most important parts of the economy and why investing in the sector is an investment in shared prosperity. The college describes agriculture as “the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities.”
The evening schedule starts with a networking reception at 5 p.m., followed by a formal program at 6 p.m. The keynote dinner is set for 7 p.m., and the 2026 Partner of the Year Recognition Feature Event wraps things up at 8 p.m. The partner award will highlight an organization that has made a real difference through collaboration with the college. Last year, Farm Credit Canada took home the honour for the second time.
This community discussion comes at a time when the college is also looking ahead. Its popular AgSmart expo is taking a reset year in 2026 and will return in 2027 with a sharper focus on applied research and technology. The college already runs a Smart Farm spread across more than 3,300 acres in two provinces, where 84 research projects are underway, many driven by the needs of the agriculture industry.
The event is open to anyone interested in the future of food production and rural economic development. “Common Ground” offers a chance for locals to hear directly from experts and join the conversation about what comes next for agriculture in the region.
