{"id":369,"date":"2013-12-23T23:19:14","date_gmt":"2013-12-23T23:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/science\/?p=369"},"modified":"2013-12-23T23:20:04","modified_gmt":"2013-12-23T23:20:04","slug":"ufvs-new-agriculture-centre-of-excellence-b-c-s-future-is-growing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/science\/2013\/12\/23\/ufvs-new-agriculture-centre-of-excellence-b-c-s-future-is-growing\/","title":{"rendered":"UFV\u2019s new Agriculture Centre of Excellence – B.C.\u2019s future is growing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Article posted on UFV Today, Dec 12, 2013<\/a> (News release from the Province of British Columbia)<\/p>\n

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Provincial Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk (right) tours UFV\u2019s new Agriculture Centre of Excellence with UFV executive director of campus planning Craig Toews.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

British Columbia\u2019s newest centre of excellence is dedicated to agriculture, with construction progressing at the University of the Fraser Valley on a brand-new barn and greenhouses after an investment of $1 million by government.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are planting the seeds of success for students who want to reap an exciting and rewarding career in our province\u2019s vibrant agriculture sector,\u201d said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk<\/a>, who participated in a hard-hat tour of the new facilities. \u201cThe new Agriculture Centre of Excellence<\/a> facilities at UFV are an example of how our flexible and nimble post-secondary education system is adapting to ensure we produce students who can support a strong agricultural sector in B.C.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new structures \u2014 being built to replace buildings at the former UFV Chilliwack campus on Yale Road \u2014 are located at UFV\u2019s Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park. Facilities will include a demonstration barn and new innovative greenhouses that will provide on-campus venues for students to gain practical hands-on experience, pursue applied research and project opportunities, and perform lab and field exercises, all in a controlled environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Centre at UFV will help prepare students to succeed as agricultural and business leaders,\u201d said Agriculture Minister Pat Pimm<\/a>. \u201cGraduates will be well positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for B.C agrifood products locally, nationally and around the world, and contribute to our province\u2019s growing agrifood sector as employees or entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a region well known for its ties to the agriculture sector, UFV is taking a leadership role in developing the Fraser Valley\u2019s economy, including education in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors, and supporting professional functions and trades.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the support of government, Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation<\/a>, Envision Financial<\/a> and other community and industry partners, we have made a good start on building our Agriculture Centre of Excellence,\u201d said University of the Fraser Valley president and vice-chancellor Mark Evered. \u201cUFV is pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to the development of our region and province in a way that builds on the strengths of our valley and university and serves the educational and economic goals of B.C.\u201d<\/p>\n

UFV has offered agriculture education programs for more than 35 years with courses in subjects ranging from livestock to horticulture, and provides students with skills for careers in a wide variety of in-demand sectors, including agri-business and livestock.<\/p>\n

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UFV Agriculture Centre of Excellence<\/h2>\n

Facilities:<\/h3>\n

The University of the Fraser Valley\u2019s Agriculture Centre of Excellence at its Chilliwack campus at Canada Education Park will include a greenhouse, barn, and associated infrastructure constructed to LEED (Leadership Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Venues for agriculture teaching and innovation include:<\/p>\n