Nelson Motors and Equipment invest in the future of agricultural equipment technicians

Nelson Motors and Equipment commit $150,000 to help expand hands-on learning in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Agricultural Equipment Technician program.

March 2026

For more than six decades, Nelson Motors and Equipment has supported farmers across southern Saskatchewan. Now they are investing in the future of the agricultural industry in another way by supporting the next generation of skilled technicians.

Nelson Motors and Equipment has committed $150,000 investment to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Time to Rise campaign, supporting renovations to the shop at the Saskatoon campus and enhancements within the Agricultural Equipment Technician (AET) program. This commitment reinforces the dealership’s dedication to advancing workforce readiness and supporting the next generation of highly skilled agricultural technicians.

Since it was founded in 1959, Nelson Motors and Equipment has grown from a family-operated business in Avonlea, Saskatchewan into one of the province’s most respected John Deere dealerships with locations in Estevan, Oxbow, Radville and Redvers. With a strong reputation for technical excellence and customer-focused service, the dealership now employs 50+ technicians, including both apprentices and journeypersons — a vital workforce supporting agricultural producers across the province.

As agricultural equipment becomes increasingly complex through automation, telematics and precision agriculture technology, the industry’s need for highly trained technicians continues to grow. Nelson Motors and Equipment’s investment in Saskatchewan Polytechnic ensures students have access to modern tools, equipment and hands-on learning environments needed to meet these industry expectations.

“We know that the future of our business depends on the strength of our people,” says Jaret Nelson, General Manager of Nelson Motors and Equipment. “Our customers rely on technicians who can diagnose complex issues and keep their operations moving. Supporting Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a direct investment in the quality of talent entering our industry and the long-term success of our dealership.”

Nelson Motors and Equipment maintains a long-standing connection with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, employing many graduates of the Agricultural Equipment Technician program and supporting students through apprenticeship pathways.

The relationship is also personal. Gary Nelson, Nelson Motors and Equipment CEO, is an alumnus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Civil Engineering Technology program, graduating in 1967. His experience has helped shape the company’s appreciation for applied, hands-on education.

“Technicians are the backbone of our industry,” says Gary Nelson, Nelson Motors and Equipment CEO. “Agriculture depends on highly trained people who can work with increasingly sophisticated equipment. Supporting Saskatchewan Polytechnic means helping ensure those skilled people are ready to enter the workforce.”

This investment will help enhance training shops and support access to modern agricultural equipment, ensuring students develop the skills required in today’s technologically advanced dealership environments. The result is a stronger, more resilient workforce prepared to serve the needs of agricultural producers across Saskatchewan.

“The Time to Rise campaign is about investing where it matters most—preparing a highly skilled labour force for Saskatchewan’s future,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO. “Nelson Motors and Equipment’s contribution ensures our Agricultural Equipment Technician graduates are workforce ready and positioned to support one of the province’s most critical industries.”

For Nelson Motors and Equipment, the investment reflects the philosophy that has guided the business for generations — supporting the people and industry that sustains Saskatchewan.

“Education and industry have to work together,” Jaret Nelson says. “If we want agriculture to remain strong in this province and worldwide, we need to invest in the people who will carry it forward.