Office of the Premier
Premier Christy Clark helped kick off the University of the Fraser Valley’s 40th anniversary party with today’s official opening of the new Agriculture Centre of Excellence.
“We promised to support a new, state-of-the-art agriculture facility at UFV, and we’re here today delivering on that promise,” said Premier Clark. “The new Agriculture Centre of Excellence at UFV supports the BC Jobs Plan, BC Agrifoods Strategy, and our overall plan to grow our economy and create more opportunity.”
The new centre is part of UFV’s Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park. It includes a large demonstration barn and North America’s tallest greenhouse at 11.5 metres. The greenhouse, the first in the world to be programmable to be pressurized or de-pressurized, also allows about 95% of available light to be captured and used.
“UFV’s new agriculture centre will provide an outstanding base for agriculture and agribusiness education in the Lower Mainland,” said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. “Our investment will help to ensure students get the education and training they need to meet workforce demands in B.C.’s growing agricultural economy.”
The agriculture training facilities will support students as they develop knowledge and gain technical skills, pursue applied research and project opportunities, and perform lab and field exercises in a controlled environment.
In collaboration with other facilities in Western Canada, UFV expects the centre will help to establish a network of applied research that leads to best practices in technology, with hands-on skill building opportunities in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors.
“We are grateful for the support of our government and the community and industry partners who helped us establish our centre in this multi-million dollar facility,” said UFV president Mark Evered. “Our regional and provincial economies will benefit from this investment in the training of graduates with the practical and creative leadership skills needed for the complex and technologically-rich world of agriculture and agribusiness.”
UFV has offered agriculture education programs for 40 years with courses in subjects ranging from horticulture to agribusiness, and provides students with skills for careers in a wide variety of in-demand agriculture-related areas.
The university has a proud history in the Fraser Valley, and it continues to have a positive impact in the community and around the world.
The completion of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence represents government meeting its platform commitment and direction in mandate letters from Premier Clark to the Minister of Advanced Education and the Minister of Agriculture.
Learn More:
UFV agriculture programs: www.ufv.ca/agriculture.htm
UFV 40th anniversary: http://40.ufv.ca
Media Contacts:
Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252
Scott Sutherland
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400
Dave Townsend
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
Anne Russell
Marketing and Communications
University of the Fraser Valley
604 795-2826
BACKGROUNDER
UFV Agriculture Centre of Excellence
Facilities:
The University of the Fraser Valley’s Agriculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) is located at the Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park, where it is housed in a complex that includes a greenhouse and barn that complements current classroom and lab facilities.
ACE provides infrastructure and programs to identify and react to trends, challenges and opportunities in agribusiness that includes production, processing and marketing for food, ornamental plants and nutraceuticals.
The project is a $2.7-million investment in agriculture teaching and innovation. It includes:
- A 780-square-metre demonstration barn with individual compartments for livestock, and a centralized heating plant designed to expand with the barn and greenhouse.
- A 600-square-metre polycarbonate greenhouse - 11.5 metres at its peak makes it North America’s tallest - to provide a multi-use facility incorporating features such as growth chambers and laboratories, and enable applied research partnerships with UFV’s biology and geography departments, and practical research into crop ‘beneficials’ (for example, friendly bugs).
- A controlled and focused environment to conduct field and lab exercises, support applied research and project activities required for undergraduate courses.
- Facilities that meet the requirement of a managed safe bio-secure zone.
- Facilities for new trades and technology programs in agriculture automation and agriculture heavy duty mechanics.
In addition to the greenhouse and barn, the project includes provision of site services for the buildings and purchase of new agriculture automation and farm equipment.
Funding to-date for Phase 1:
Ministry of Advanced Education $1,000,000
Local industry and partners investment $387,000
University of the Fraser Valley $1,100,000
Chilliwack Economic Partners Corp. $250,000
Programs:
UFV’s Agriculture Centre of Excellence offers a bachelor’s of business administration in agriculture management, and diploma and certificate programs that provide specialized training in areas including berry production, integrated pest management and livestock production.
The Centre will enhance UFV’s programs and provide opportunities for further growth.
The Ministry of Agriculture works with UFV’s agriculture faculty and will assist them by:
- Supporting curriculum and program development
- Offering guest lectures, mentoring and training opportunities for students
- Collaborating with UFV faculty on agricultural research programs that benefit B.C.’s agriculture sector
Snapshot of agriculture and agrifoods industries in B.C.:
- B.C.’s agrifoods sector (including seafood) generated $11.7 billion in revenue in 2012.
- Primary agriculture - farming - generated $2.8 billion in 2012.
- Over 200 primary agriculture products are produced in B.C.
- In 2012, the top 10 agriculture products produced in B.C. were: dairy, poultry, floriculture products, beef, nursery products, blueberries, eggs, mushrooms, and greenhouse tomatoes and peppers.
- In the same year, B.C. producers ranked first in Canada for primary agriculture production of: blueberries, sweet cherries, raspberries, pears, apricots, Brussels sprouts and rhubarb.
- B.C. exported $1.6 billion in agriculture products to 130 different markets in 2012 - the highest level in more than 10 years.
Media Contacts:
Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252
Scott Sutherland
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400
Dave Townsend
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
Anne Russell
Marketing and Communications
University of the Fraser Valley
604 795-2826
