Latest Innovations in B.C. Agriculture to be Showcased at the 50th Anniversary Horticulture Growers’ Short Course and Pacific Agriculture Show

Media Release | February 13, 2008

BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Horticulture Growers' Short Course (Short Course) will be celebrating fifty years of horticulture innovation at the Pacific Agriculture Show (PAS), B.C.'s premier grower event showcasing valuable agriculture education and industry seminars.

Playing a significant part in B.C.'s economy, agriculture is facing dynamic challenges in an international market. Current issues affecting the industry include global competition, lowering food prices, severe weather, and urbanization.

With these challenges in mind, the Short Course is an exceptional example of how the sector is collectively addressing these demands. Produced by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BC MAL) and the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association (LMHIA), the Short Course is an educational forum, allowing those in the horticulture field for the past fifty years to further competitiveness with research, information and technology transfer.

"I would like to congratulate the Association in celebrating this milestone," said Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell. "One of our Ministry's main goals is to promote innovation and education in B.C.'s agricultural sector and this program does just that. Its wide variety of topics is very successful in showcasing the diversity of the industry in B.C."

BC Innovation Council (BCIC) is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor contributing $10,000 to the Horticulture Growers' Short Course. The event is valued by many as a leading forum for dialogue in the agriculture industry. Its fifty year history is rooted deeply in providing a channel for B.C. growers to discuss industry constraints and explore how growers in B.C. and other horticulture epicenters are achieving success.

"We are very pleased to have BC Innovation Council as a major sponsor at our upcoming 50th Anniversary Horticulture Short Course, said Bruce Fatkin, President, LMHIA. "Our organization has always been committed to fostering innovation in horticulture and is looking forward to partnering with BC Innovation Council to further develop a competitive and healthy BC industry."

This is BCIC's first year participating at the PAS, furthering its focus in the areas of biorefining, food safety and clean technologies within the Agriculture, Food and Bioproducts sectors-a segment of B.C.'s economy generating over $20 billion.

For more information, visit BCIC on-site in Hall A.

Event Details

February 14th to 16th, 2008
Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre
1190 Cornell Street
Abbotsford, BC

Further information about the Pacific Agriculture Show is available at www.agricultureshow.net.

- 30 -

For more information contact:

Stephanie Leung
Communications Coordinator
BC Innovation Council
604.602.5249 | 1.800.665.7222
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ABOUT BC INNOVATION COUNCIL

BC Innovation Council (BCIC), a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia, advances the awareness and commercialization of applied science and technology in partnership with government, industry and academia. Through talent development and industry collaboration, BCIC contributes a vital element to the success of BC's economy.

For more information about BC Innovation Council, visit www.bcic.ca.

Printer Friendly | PDF