An Olds area farm owner and operator will take the lead, as Olds College’s newly announced board chair.
Leona Staples was appointed by the Alberta Government’s Ministry of Advanced Education after previously serving on the college’s board of governors for two terms.
She owns and operates The Jungle Farm with her husband Blaine. The farm has been in Leona’s family for 110 years and the couple took over operations in 1996.
“Leona Staples is a respected member of the Central Alberta community and an expert in agricultural entrepreneurship and marketing,” said Dr. H.J. (Tom) Thompson, Olds College president. “Her experience in innovation and sustainability will help guide the college as it works toward achieving its vision to be the premier integrated learning and applied research community specializing in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental stewardship.”
Staples takes over for former chair Robert Clark, who served as board chair for three years.
“I’m honoured at my appointment to be the chair of the board of directors at Olds College,” Staples said in a release. “Agriculture is my passion, and with the college’s dedication to emerging technologies and smart agriculture, I look forward to working with the fellow members of the board as we help lead this industry into the future.”