University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College: 150 years of developing sustainable agriculture leaders

Can agriculture feed the world’s growing population in a more sustainable manner? That’s the question many agri-food leaders are working on throughout the world, hoping to advance technology and science in hopes of transforming the way food is produced.

For example, AeroFarms is growing crops indoors using 95% less water, while John Deere’s AI-powered smart tractors optimise planting and harvesting. These advancements not only increase food production but also reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming practices. By combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable approaches, agriculture is showing promise of not only meeting our future food demands but doing it responsibly and improving life for generations to come.

One of the key institutions leading the charge in agricultural breakthroughs is the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). For over 150 years, OAC has been a global leader in agricultural science, technology and business, working to address the world’s most pressing food challenges. Known as “Canada’s Food University,” OAC is ranked #1 in the nation for agricultural sciences and #2 in plant and animal sciences. The university’s longstanding commitment to research and development has helped shape the future of agriculture both in Canada and around the world.

At OAC, faculty and staff are working on some of the most critical issues in food production, agriculture, environmental resilience, and community development. Just as successful farming requires a combination of the right conditions, success in the agricultural sector depends on strategic progress and leadership. According to John Cranfield, acting dean of OAC, the college’s current priorities include “educating the next generation of leaders, advancing economic and environmental sustainability, and providing insights on technology and policy.”

OAC’s holistic approach to these challenges — combining research, education, and policy development — has positioned it as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.

One example of OAC’s impact can be seen in its research on soybean production. In the 1970s, farmers started growing soybeans at scale in Ontario. Today, more than three million acres of soybeans are in production in the province. This growth is largely due to the genetics research and discovery work carried out at the University of Guelph, which has helped adapt soybean genetic profiles to Ontario’s growing conditions.