The B.C. government is recognizing the almost 130 years of agricultural science and research conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Agassiz with a Century Farm Award.

Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness presented the award to staff at the Agassiz facility on behalf of B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick today, thanking them for their contribution to the British Columbia agriculture industry and its history.

The Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre was created in 1886 as an experimental farm and by 1900 was well known for its collection of more than 3,000 varieties of plants and fruit trees. Over the last 100 years research at the centre has included new varieties of fruits, vegetables and forages, with a focus on dairy cattle nutrition beginning in 1986, and the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre being established in 1998. Today, research at Agassiz also includes small fruits, greenhouse vegetables, special crops and forages; soil resource conservation and land evaluation.

The Centre is also conducting research to improve the understanding of the flows, interactions and impacts of agriculture systems within densely populated regions, including the links between food, nutrition and health, securing and protecting food production, and balancing the activities of agriculture with the goal of a sustainable environment.

Century Farm Awards honour agricultural organizations that have been active for 100 years. The Century Farm award program was created in 1994 to mark the centennial of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Quote:

Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness -

“British Columbians identify the Fraser Valley with great-tasting and nutritious food, and as the centre of our $12 billion-a-year agrifood economy. The employees at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Agassiz have played an important role in the development and innovation in farming and food production in B.C. over the last 130 years, and deserve our thanks - we enjoy the results of their hard work in our meals every day.”

Learn More:

Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre - Agassiz: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/science-and-innovation/research-centres/british-columbia/pacific-agri-food-research-centre-agassiz

For more information about B.C.’s Century Farm Program: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/regional/CenturyFarmAwards/CenturyFarms.htm

Media Contacts:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (cell)

Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613 773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613 773-7972
1 866 345-7972
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