Growing the Future of Agriculture at CDC South

Agriculture has always been part of the County of Newell’s story, but the future of the industry depends on more than tradition. It depends on research, innovation, collaboration, and the ability to turn good ideas into practical results.

That was the focus of the CDC Newell Ag Summit, held June 18 and 19 in Brooks. The event brought together over 120 people representing producers, researchers, industry partners, government representatives, and community members to talk about the opportunities shaping agriculture in southern Alberta.

The Crop Diversification Centre South is a long-standing agricultural research facility located just east of Brooks, Alberta. Once underutilized, CDC South has entered a new chapter through the County of Newell’s 10-year lease agreement with the Government of Alberta. The Summit served as an introduction to the CDC South for those present who did not know what is on offer, and a reintroduction to ag-industry folks who are ready to take their plans to the next level.

For the Brooks Newell Region, the goal is simple: keep this valuable facility working for agriculture.

CDC South includes research fields, laboratories, workshops, greenhouse space, and other specialized assets that can support everything from crop trials and applied research to controlled-environment agriculture. Its greenhouse alone offers 36,000 square feet of growing space, with separate areas for research, production and demonstration projects.

During the summit, attendees had the opportunity to tour the site, take part in discussions, listen to industry experts, make new connections, and learn more about how CDC South can support research, education, production, and economic development in the region.

The message throughout the event was clear: innovation does not happen in isolation. It happens when producers, researchers, funders, industry, and government are brought into the same conversation.

That is where CDC South has the potential to make a meaningful difference. By making the facility available on a cost-recovery basis, the County is helping create space for new partnerships, practical research, and ideas that can move from concept to field, greenhouse, or marketplace.

The summit was an opportunity to imagine a future where agricultural research is connected to real-world application, where local producers are part of the conversation, and where southern Alberta continues to play a leading role in the future of agriculture.

For the Brooks Newell Region, CDC South represents more than a facility. It represents opportunity, partnership, and a renewed commitment to supporting agriculture in one of the most productive regions in the province.

Want to know more? Reach out > Get in touch with CDC South