The Brief: From the Plow to Blockchain: How Technology is Advancing Alberta Agriculture (BONUS)

Alberta's opportunity to contribute to global solutions in agriculture, energy, and health is immense. Seizing this opportunity will take big ideas, lots of collaboration, and a little “can do” attitude.

In the special series of The Brief, called Missions & Moonshots, we are talking to top experts, business leaders, innovators, and thought leaders across Alberta and Canada exploring solutions to the world’s biggest challenges in energy, agriculture, and health.

Our guest is Kim McConnell, a renowned Canadian expert in agriculture and Special Advisor to the Business Council of Alberta, and he shares his insights into the role that technology has and will continue to have as we face the global challenge of feeding more people on less land. Our discussion includes: 

• the challenges with Canada's healthcare systems today
• the potential to transform healthcare in Alberta
• strengths, assets, opportunities, and challenges to reach our potential
• policies and investments needed

The full paper can be read here: http://bit.ly/3h5Lb0k

About Kim McConnell

Kim McConnell is the founder and former CEO of AdFarm, one of the largest agricultural marketing communications firms in North America.

Over the years, Kim has led national and international brand and marketing assignments for many respected national and international agriculture and food companies and has been the catalyst behind many major industry ventures including an initiative to build greater public trust in food and farming.

Kim is also the recipient of many national business awards including "Agri-Marketer of the Year" and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation “Mentor of the Year”.

In 2012 he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. And in 2017 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian award.

Kim remains a director on a number of corporate, industry and volunteer boards and is a mentor to emerging executives and fast-growth companies.

Kim and his family live on an acreage on the edge of Calgary. Kim is passionate about agriculture, food, youth, and the entrepreneurial spirit.