2018 June Agriculture Bus Tour

Online registration for the Agriculture Bus Tour is now closed.  To be put on the waitlist, please call 604-859-9651 ext 304.

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 Farm Credit Canada, 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 include:

        
WestGen, originally known as the Lower Fraser Valley Artificial Insemination Association, was established in September of 1944. WestGen and the other 2 partners of the Semex Alliance sample over 300 dairy bulls globally, per year, and offer a complete line up of dairy and beef genetics. The Semex Alliance group of studs have produced more millionaire sires than any other AI organization in the world. In July 2016, after 67 years at the Milner location, WestGen relocated to Abbotsford to be nearer to the heart of the British Columbia Cattle Industry after building a new home for the future. Phase 2 of the project includes a new barn and lab, which houses Boviteq West. The new barn opened on October 30, 2017.
www.westgen.com


Nutriva Group through the Bakerview EcoDairy Farm is an early adopter when it comes to agri-food innovation. In 2017, two new technologies were added to the farm - Calf Rail and HydroGreen.
The Calf Rail system is an automated milk feeder for young calves. It automatically feeds 2.5 liters of milk or milk replacer five times per day. Compared to traditional bottle or pail feeding methods, the system helps to improve animal health and growth rates, lowers morbidity and mortality rates, and reduces labour costs. The HydroGreen system is an automated hydroponic system. In just 6 days, it grows quality grass from seed to feed using water, light, climate control and minimal labour.  With this new system, Bakerview is capable of producing the annual equivalent of 20 acres of feed in an 800 sq ft building.  This new technology has enabled Bakerview to enter the niche market of producing grass-fed beef to meet consumers' demand for local and healthy beef products.


Vyefield Farms Ltd.
Dairy ProQ Robotic Rotary Operation


Valley Food and Farm Collective
WHO WE ARE
A not-for-profit association designed to bring together a cross-section of passionate, educated and invested people in the community to solve key challenges and create opportunities to shape our food culture and build a stronger connection to agriculture.
Our Vision: Using food to transform our community
Our Mission: Act together to shape a vibrant food culture for ourselves, for our families, for our community and for the future of our valley.

Honourable Lana Popham
Minister of Agriculture
Lana was raised on Quadra Island in a do-it-yourself community, where growing food, raising animals and harvesting from the sea was a way of life. Her interest in urban planning led her to UBC where she graduated with a degree in geography. In 1996, Lana made her home in Saanich South. She co-founded and operated Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island. She also managed a crew of vineyard workers who took care of many vineyards on the Saanich Peninsula, and has been a strong advocate for food producers in Saanich for many years. Lana served on Saanich's Planning, Transportation, and Economic Development Committee and on the Peninsula Agricultural Commission. She was also president of the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association, chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association, and a member of the Investment Agriculture Board. After being elected in 2009, Lana served as Opposition critic for agriculture for eight years.


Special meals or dietary restrictions must be requested at the time of registration.

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