A new program will boost the profile of agriculture fairs and exhibitions and expand the number of events across the province, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell announced today.
A partnership with the B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions (BCAAFE), the new provincial fair program will provide funds for the association to highlight the importance of the agriculture industry by promoting fairs and exhibitions. Part of the promotional plan calls for fairs and exhibitions to showcase B.C. grown and raised agriculture products.
“Every region in B.C. has an agriculture industry and we need to do more to show the importance of the industry and the people in it,” Bell said during celebrations of B.C. Agriculture Day at the legislature in Victoria. “By strengthening the role of fairs and exhibitions, we will increase the public’s awareness of the wide variety of B.C. agriculture products and the contribution our farmers make to B.C.’s economy.”
In addition to its annual base funding of $150,000, the Province is providing $225,000 to the BCAAFE in order to help it develop an enhanced recognition program and fair expansion strategy.
B.C. Agriculture Day is when British Columbians recognize and celebrate the province’s farming industry, its people and the benefits of healthy eating.
"Through ActNow BC, we are supporting programs that promote healthy living and prevent illness in our society, and a significant part of that initiative is focused on healthy eating,” Health Minister George Abbott said. “We know that the healthiest foods are grown and raised right here in B.C. Every British Columbian can make small choices – such as eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day – that result in big improvements to our quality of life.”
Growing the fairs and exhibitions program is the aim of the BCAAFE, its president said. “I know that every one of our members supports this expanded program,” said Jim Levin, president of the BCAAFE. “Not only will it allow them to promote themselves and agriculture products from their own farmers, but it will show other agricultural towns and regions that an annual fair brings the community together.”
The B.C. Agriculture Council also sees the program as a way to highlight the importance of the agriculture industry. “Agriculture is a major contributor to the economy of the province, providing high quality safe and nutritious foods, stability and quality of life in all regions of the province,” said Dick Klein Geltink, chair of the BC Agriculture Council. “We are pleased to see this program announced today. It will certainly assist in providing greater linkages between the industry and our consumers and it will enhance the understanding of the important contribution of our farmers and ranchers. Agriculture is an industry to be celebrated and B.C. Agriculture Day is one of the opportunities to do just this.”
For more information visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
