2019 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. The theme of this years tour is Diversity in Agriculture.
The Tour will depart from at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre Parking Lot A, with registration at RBC
Stops on this year's tour include:
Maple Lane Farms and Agricultural Innovation Playground
Maple Lane Farms and Agricultural Innovation Playground owned by Don Campbell and Connie Campbell, houses multiple innovative agriculture projects including a new greenhouse operation for Lepp Family Farm; a new aquaponics research system in conjunction with UBC Farm - Centre for Sustainable Food Systems; and a Research and Education vegetable seed farm operated by FarmFolk CityFolk. The Poultry in Motion Mini Barn will also be on site for participants.
Fraser Valley Gleaners Society
Fresh and frozen produce is picked up by our volunteer drivers on a daily basis. The volunteer staff next transform thisproduce into a cut-up, ready-for-the-dryer mix that will spend anywhere from 8 to 10 hours in an industrial-size drying unit. The dried product is then scraped and barreled in anticipation of a future “mixing” date.
Once we have an entire season’s worth of dried items for our soup mix, the mixing lines are set up and several of the winter months are devoted to transforming individual barrels of vegetables into a tasty just-add-water soup mix.
Maan Farms, Country Experience & Estate Winery
Maan Farms has a long and proud history of providing quality local produce to the citizens of Abbotsford, the Fraser Valley and Greater BC. Started in 1977 by Jawahar and Gurbachan (Grandpa and Grandma) Maan with the help of their three children. Maan Farms began by producing cole crops but soon shifted to growing the delicious strawberries, raspberries and blueberries for which they became famous. Many things have changed since the farm opened almost 35 years ago. From one small berry stand, Maan Farms has grown into a place with something for everyone. Whether you want to sample the fresh assortment of berries, fruits and vegetables; enjoy the delicious ice cream and homestyle jam, make some new friends in the petting zoo, get lost in the fall corn maze or simply stop by for lunch.
Guest Speaker MLA Ian Paton - Official Opposition Co-Critic for Agriculture
Ian was elected as MLA for Delta South in 2017. He currently serves as the Official Opposition Co-Critic for Agriculture and is Member of the Select Standing Committee on Health.
Elected in 2010 as a councillor in Delta, Ian's responsibilities have included chairing the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Dikes and Drainage Committee. In addition to serving as Vice Chair of other committees, Ian was also the council liaison for the Delta Farmers' Institute and the Ladner Business Association. He has also served as a representative on the Metro Vancouver Regional Planning and Agriculture Committee.
Ian graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of British Columbia in 1978. A lifelong Delta resident, Ian has over 30 years of experience running and owning a dairy farm and farm auction business. His wealth of agricultural knowledge has been used to inform municipal, provincial, and federal level government studies.
Locally, Ian is the past president of the East Delta Community Hall Society, a past member of the Hall 4 Volunteer Fire Department, and has volunteered with many local organizations, including the Delta Hospital Foundation, REACH Child and Youth Development Society, and the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust.
Special meals or dietary restrictions must be requested at the time of registration for the provided lunch.We recommend you wear comfortable shoes (no sandals) and layered clothing.
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32900 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
Please park on the westside of RBC in parking lot A
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Departure from Sevenoaks Shopping Centre
32900 South Fraser Way
Please park on the westside of RBC in parking lot A
Non-Members: $80 per person
Prices subject to GST
Lunch will be provided
