Grainswest - Spring 2023

Spring 2023 grainswest.com 17 BY ELLEN COTTEE • ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY CHU Entrepreneur, industry advocate and philanthropist has built an impressive agricultural legacy The adventure of a lifetime H ailing from near the village of Rhein, SK, Art Froehlich’s up- bringing in the 1950s and ’60s was modest, but his contribution to ag- riculture has been substantial and far-reaching. His childhood on the family’s mixed farm was full of fun, family and 4-H competitions. These were years spent learning valuable agricultural knowledge that would serve him well later in life. His subsequent study of soil science at the University of Saskatchewan initiated a life- long agricultural adventure as an entrepreneur and investor. Known for his role as president of AdFarm during its launch in 2000 and the first thought leader in smart agriculture at Olds College, Froehlich now enjoys his role as a mentor and supporter of agricultural devel- opment programs across the world. Awarded both the Alberta Order of Excellence and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for his contributions to the industry, the farm kid-turned-philanthropist is a committed cham- pion of agriculture. GrainsWest: How did you know agriculture was the industry for you? Art Froehlich: When we were growing up, there were only three or four things we really cared about in life. The farm was number 1 from an early age. We [two brothers and two sisters] did everything on the farm with our parents. There was the farm, family and 4-H. From a very early age I knew I was always going to be in agriculture. I was going to farm or do something closely related. GW: In university, you received a scholarship from a shipping company to study in the U.K. How did that experience shape you? AF: I was really lucky. I worked on the ship over there, worked on the ship back and worked for three companies while I was there. From that moment on, I knew I was going to work inter- nationally, simply to see the world. That program was really the catalyst to get an 18-year-old kid thinking about the future. GW: What motivates you to stick with the agriculture industry? AF: It’s the most fascinating industry in the world. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world. I’ve been fortunate to travel and do business in more than 50 countries. Agriculture is an important industry. We’re feeding people, and what could be better than that?