The Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Agassiz was recognized for almost 130 years of agricultural science and research with a Century Farm Award.
The award was presented by Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness last Friday, April 10 at the centre, on behalf of B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, to thank them for their contribution to the British Columbia agriculture industry and its history.
“British Columbians identify the Fraser Valley with great-tasting and nutritious food, and as the centre of our $12 billion-a-year agrifood economy,” says Throness. “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.”
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.
