For the past 100 years, the McBride Farmers’ Institute has proudly represented area farmers and it is this century of commitment that is being celebrated in McBride today. Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, is in McBride presenting the institute with a Century Farm Award.

It was late winter in 1915 when the McBride area settlers signed a Declaration of Association to become a Farmers’ Institute. A Certificate of Incorporation was issued shortly after and the McBride Farmers’ Institute started their work promoting agriculture in the area. It was busy times as the institute lobbied for roads, schools, trails, tourism and farming needs.

In 1940, a boys and girls poultry club was established, and in the 1980’s, the institute acquired the use of a reclaimed garbage dump and built a yard for gathering livestock for weighing and shipping. Today, the McBride Farmers’ Institute meets monthly and its 30 members continue to provide agriculture leadership for McBride and the Robson Valley.

Century Farm Awards honour agricultural organizations that have been active for 100 years. Each Century Farm Award celebrates the rich heritage of farming and ranching families and organizations in B.C. The Century Farm award program was created in 1994 to mark the centennial of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick -

“Congratulations to the McBride Farmers Institute on 100 years of promoting agriculture excellence. Thanks to your organization, we are ensuring the legacy of farming and agriculture in British Columbia continues with the next generation.”

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond -

“It is an honour to represent an area of the province that has such rich history and I want to congratulate and thank the McBride Farmers’ Institute for their century of service. Very few organizations can boast about this kind of accomplishment and I am proud to present them with this special recognition.”

Marion Cousineau, secretary treasurer, McBride Farmers’ Institute -

“Our organization is honoured to receive the Century Farm Award. We appreciate the dedication of our early settlers who established the McBride Farmers’ Institute and we look forward to continuing the legacy of representing farmers in the Robson Valley.”

Learn More:

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 (mobile)

Marion Cousineau
McBride Farmers Institute
250 968-4479
marcousineau@yahoo.ca