Federal government invests $2.1 million to benefit agriculture students at UFV

L to R: BC Dairy Farmer Devan Toop, UFV Acting President and VP Students Jody Gordon, UFV Board of Governors Chair Barry Delaney, Western Economic Diversification Minister Michelle Rempel, MP Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon Mark Strahl, UFV Dean of Applied and Technical Studies John English.

Government of Canada news release:

August, 7, 2014 – Chilliwack, British Columbia – Western Economic Diversification Canada

Today, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding of over $2.1 million for state of the art training equipment for the Agriculture Centre of Excellence at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).

The investment will provide specialized equipment to train the next generation of agricultural technicians, engineers, researchers, and scientists. The training equipment will enhance existing programs and offer two new programs related to designing and implementing automated agricultural systems and robotics.

Quick Facts

In 2012, BC’s agri-food sector generated $11.7 billion in revenues and exported $2.5 billion worth of products to more than 130 countries.

In the centre’s laboratories, equipment will be set up for students to acquire skills in design, installation and maintenance of advanced automated systems and robotics.

Local businesses will benefit from the University’s applied research efforts that will help determine new methods and technologies to improve production and market opportunities.

Quotes

“The agriculture industry is an important driver of the western Canadian economy. This investment will provide industry with the skilled workforce it needs to adopt new technologies, services and processes, and ultimately grow the agriculture sector.”

– The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

“With today’s exciting announcement, we are building on our past successes and strengthening our competitive advantage. This will have tremendous benefit for our agriculture sector which is a vital industry in the Fraser Valley.”

– Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl

“Thanks to this investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Agriculture Center of Excellence will be well-equipped to train students on the latest in agricultural mechatronics and robotics. With this training, students will enter the workforce ready to design and maintain the advanced technologies that will help innovate agriculture in BC.”

– Barry Delaney, Chair, University of the Fraser Valley Board of Governors

“Dairy farming in the Fraser Valley has its own unique advantages and challenges. The future of our industry relies on the professionals and innovators that this grant will help create at UFV.”

– Devan Toop, BC Dairy Farmer

Contacts

Emily Goucher
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: 613-668-2903
Email: emily.goucher@wd-deo.gc.ca

Anne Russell
University of the Fraser Valley
Telephone: 604-795-2826
Email: anne.russell@ufv.ca

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD. Follow us on Twitter at @WD_Canada.