“Calgary and Alberta have deep roots in agriculture, and that legacy continues to drive innovation today. As we experience a growing population, AgSphere will help innovators and entrepreneurs continue tackling global food and energy challenges with creative 'made-in-Calgary' solutions,” said Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
Calgary’s strong foundation in agriculture, combined with its growing strengths in energy, research, talent and technology, provides an ideal location for the hub. AgSphere will connect Western Canada’s agricultural experience with Calgary’s innovation ecosystem to help address challenges such as rising population needs and global food security.
The hub is being developed with support from several founding partners, including AdFarm, the Calgary Stampede, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, and OCIF. These partners believe AgSphere will help farmers enhance their operations and grow the sector by creating opportunities for training, education and collaboration.
Temporarily located at Stampede Park, AgSphere will include an innovation and education centre, event spaces, a national producer network and a career platform. The initiative is expected to support 75 companies and train about 450 people over five years, including students and professionals looking to build new skills. This comes at a critical time, as Canada’s agriculture sector is expected to face a workforce shortage of more than 100,000 workers by 2030.
AgSphere’s focus on best practices, new technology development and strong partnerships aligns with Calgary’s broader innovation strategy. This strategy aims to make Calgary a leading destination for innovation across sectors, contributing thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth by 2034.
By improving collaboration, developing talent and supporting innovation, AgSphere is positioned to help strengthen Canada’s agriculture sector and support long-term national competitiveness.
Photo Credit: Agsphere