The University of the Fraser Valley Agricultural Centre of Excellence will now be known as the Otter Co-op Cold Barn.
The recognition is to thank Otter Co-op for supporting the university’s agricultural programs through a $75,000 donation of funds and in-kind donations.
The funding is being used to help build and outfit barn facilities on the UFV Chilliwack campus.
Otter Co-op general manager Jack Nicholson said that as a co-operative, his organization’s values include investing in the community and supporting sustainable initiatives.
“Supporting UFV’s Agriculture programs is right in line with our values,” he said.
Otter Co-op’s support of UFV Agriculture includes a cash donation towards capital costs of outfitting the new barn facility at the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, and “in kind” donations of feed, fuel, and other supplies to support the livestock program.
“Being hands-on is how we students learn best,” said Kayli Sartori, an agriculture student who plans to apply what she learns on the family hop farm in Chilliwack’s Columbia Valley. She thanked Otter Co-op on behalf of the students. “We like to be right there with the animals, plants, insects, and dirt.”
“We welcome partnerships like this because our goal of growing the agricultural sector is enhanced by generous community members and businesses that are forward-thinking and invest in their community,” said Garry Fehr, the director of the UFV Agriculture Centre of Excellence.
