Olds College is the largest agricultural college in Alberta and has maintained its small class sizes and practical training since its founding over a century ago. Most of the school’s 1,400 students attend the main campus in Olds, while the rest study at the Calgary site, which is home to the school’s fashion institute.

The college offers programming in agriculture, horticulture, land and environment management, animal science, food production, business and trades. The school’s extensive facilities include a “farm of the future,” which employs the latest technologies to boost productivity and use resources sustainably. The 2,800-acre smart farm is home to 160 cows and 120 sheep, as well as the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, which gathers and analyzes data from the farm. Through applied research, these facilities accelerate the development of technologies that improve productivity, profitability and sustainability in the agricultural and agri-food industries.

Students can opt to live on the main campus in townhouse-style residences that accommodate up to four people per unit or in the newer Centennial Village residence, which has 450 single rooms with double beds and private washrooms. Communal spaces include a fitness centre and a large student lounge with a fireplace and a big-screen TV.