2017 June Agriculture Bus Tour

Find out what makes Abbotsford the Agricultural Capital of Canada!  Abbotsford farms and agri-business creates over $1.8 billion for our city's economy and generates over 11,300 jobs in Abbotsford.

In the morning guests will load buses at the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, from there we will visit all the stops on the tour, enjoying snacks, lunch, and networking along the way.

Stop's on this year's tour include:


ACS Garden Project Urban Farm

A newly reclaimed property next to the ACS back parking lot. It is home to a group of raised garden beds waiting to burst forth with new life. A teaching garden and working urban farm in the heart of downtown Abbotsford. It is quickly becoming a vibrant addition to the neighborhood. Plans for the site include:
- A site which will produce locally grown produce
- A place to host community events and workshops
- A space for people interested in learning about growing their own fresh food


BW GLOBAL Structures

BW GLOBAL is one of Canada?s most innovative companies and the leading provider of solutions for the global issues of food and water. Focused on evolving the production of food and plants in controlled environments, they are endeavouring to solve these issues because they are issues that affect the entire world's population.
On its mission to be a leading provider of solutions for the global issues of food and water, BW GLOBAL works together to enhance controlled environment agriculture through new technology, refined designs, and improved thinking.


Ripples Estate Winery

At Ripples Winery, they believe in creating pure unique products by using their own blueberries and produce grown on their farm. Great wines start with great soil and the Fraser Valley is known for its blueberry production. Within the Valley there are little pockets of micro-climate like theirs, that can produce the best of the best. All of their wines are hand crafted and bottled onsite ensuring their products are local and wholesome.  The winery is a family operated business and with help and support from friends they have made many styles of wines to appeal to every palate and pair with many meals.


Old Abbey Ales

Old Abbey Ales produces premium and ultra-premium craft beer with a focus on Belgian style ales. The brewery owner owns a number of successful businesses including a brewery equipment manufacturing company called Brew-Stuff. All of the brewing equipment in Old Abbey Ales was manufactured through Brew-Stuff. The main reason for the brewery was to have a demonstration brewery so customers buying brewing equipment from Brew-stuff could actually see the equipment in action. Old Abbey Ales is a production craft brewery and has a tasting room located at 30321 Fraser Highway, in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Guest Speaker:


Garry Fehr, PhD
Director of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence
Department of Geography and the Environment
University of the Fraser Valley
 
Garry Fehr grew up in Fraser Valley and greater Vancouver area with seasonal participation in family agriculture activities that ranged from berries to poultry. However, he was a late bloomer when it came to education and completed his PhD at the University of Guelph in 2007. Dr. Fehr?s research and teaching is focused on rural livelihoods, agriculture innovation and sustainability. His research and teaching has taken him to India, Kenya, China, Mexico, and more recently his focus has been on the sustainability of BC?s agriculture sector. As Director of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence at UFV, Garry facilitates innovative partnerships between researchers and entrepreneurs, and encourages collaboration between BC?s post-secondary institutions on agriculture education.

Lunch will be provided in the Student Union Building at the University of the Fraser Valley. Special meals or dietary restrictions must be requested at time of registration.

We recommend you wear comfortable shoes (no sandals) and layered clothing.