New Calgary-based agri-food innovation hub aims to strengthen industry

Alberta’s agri-food sector received a historic boost Tuesday with the launch of AgSphere, a Calgary-based innovation hub designed to accelerate agricultural innovation and strengthen Canada’s food supply chain.

AgSphere will serve as a connector between innovators and the resources they need — from capital to testing facilities — to bring new ideas to market.

The hub will focus on technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, gene editing, and drones, areas where farmers are already among the fastest adopters worldwide.

“When you look at Canada, there’s tremendous potential,” said Ben Graham, president of AdFarm, highlighting the opportunity for Alberta to position itself as a global leader in agri-tech.

The initiative is supported by $2.75 million from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, earmarked to help 75 companies and train 450 workers over the next five years. The investment comes at a critical time, with the National Agricultural Human Resource Council projecting a shortage of 100,000 workers in the industry by 2030.

“This is a high-tech industry. And regardless of your field of study, we can probably find a place for you in the agricultural supply chain,” said Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede.

Olds College, Alberta’s leading agri-tech school, is expected to play a central role. Its land and livestock facilities will act as a testing ground for new ideas, giving startups the chance to validate products before scaling.

“A company can come here to Calgary, get capital, get startup money, and then actually utilize places like Olds College to get that product validated, and then get it to market,” explained Todd Ormann, vice-president of external relationships and research at Olds College.

For many involved, the creation of AgSphere represents a long-awaited reinvestment in Calgary’s agricultural roots.

“Especially with all the trade disruptions that’ve occurred now, our ability to increase efficiency, create jobs, and really feed the planet—this is a great time for this to occur,” says Cowley.

Consumers may also see benefits at the grocery store, with the potential for greater variety and lower prices as innovations developed at AgSphere reach the shelves.