2016 June Agriculture Bus Tour

SOLD OUT!

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.

Stops on this year's tour will highlight niche commodities from the following businesses:

Petkov Kiwi Production
With a Masters Degree in Horticulture, and having worked on professional agricultural projects in Europe and Canada, George Petkov has extensive knowledge and experience in fruit production as well as in viticulture. The desire for healthy, fresh, pesticide-free fruit germinated the idea of growing local kiwi. After a thorough analysis of the climate, soil and market conditions, their kiwi vineyard project took root in 2008. Requiring an ongoing commitment of knowledge, hard work and passion, they have established a beautiful 8 acre plantation.

BC Hop Co
BC Hop Co is in the business of world class harvesting, processing and distribution of BC grown hops. Thanks to the incredible growth of the craft beer industry, hops are serious business in British Columbia. Inspired by the great traditions of hop production throughout the Fraser Valley and one of the best hop growing environments in the Pacific Northwest, partner farmers are bringing locally grown hops back to the Valley. The BC Hop Co mission is to provide the highest quality BC grown hops to brewers. An investment in European processing technology and innovation guarantees we deliver on that commitment. We share our passion for beer and support the craft beer industry by hosting BeerBQ in July and BC Hop Fest in October.

ACI Foods
ACI Foods, in operation for 2 1/2 years, is the only hemp seed processing facility in BC and sole "strictly organic" operation in North America. ACI provides contract and private label de-hulling (hemp hearts), cold pressing (oil, high % protein powder and flour), packaging (retail and bulk) and distribution of organic industrial hemp seed products. Presently, ACI Foods ships its products all over BC, USA, New Zealand and soon, Korea.

Artisan SakeMaker
Masa Shiroki is the first to make hand-crafted artisanal sake (rice wine) in Canada and the first to grow his own sake-grade rice to do so. His fields in Abbotsford are the most northerly commercial rice production in the world. Having proven that it can be done, Shiroki is now expanding production from sake-grade rice to include table rice. Established in 2007 on Granville Island, Artisan SakeMaker is known as a unique commercial winery that produces award winning, hand-made, small batch and fresh sake. The philosophy of their production centres upon ?sustainability, all natural and locality.?

Click HERE to view the agenda.

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

Lunch will be provided. Special meals or dietary restrictions must be requested at time of registration.