| 1995 |
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada introduces the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund (CARD). The fund requires that adaptation councils be set up in each province and territory. Run by boards of industry representatives and government ex-officios, the adaption councils function as third-party delivery agencies with decision-making powers. |
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| 1996 |
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| May 27 |
After meeting with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Federation of Agriculture, BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Horticulture Coalition, Council of Marketing Boards of BC and Farmers’ Institute Food And Agriculture Responsibility Member Community Council of BC join together as the original members of BC’s adaptation council.
The BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands) provides administration and office space for the Foundation – an arrangement that has been officially extended to March 31, 2007. The Ministry also facilitates development of the Foundation’s constitution and bylaws. |
| Oct 15 |
Members appoint the first board of 11 directors, comprised of nine producers and two agri-business representatives. One federal ex-officio and one provincial ex-officio are also appointed to the board. Bruce Bakker chairs board meetings until the first executive is elected. |
| Oct 31 |
The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC is incorporated under the BC Society Act as a not-for-profit society. |
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| 1997 |
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| Jan 9 |
The first executive is elected and Gary Kenwood is appointed chair of the board. |
| Feb 26 |
The Foundation receives initial funds from CARD and the Agriculture Safety Net Companion Program. The total funds from these programs will eventually total $2.78 million from CARD I and $21.72 million from Safety Net. |
| May 1 |
The Foundation board approves the first project applications to receive funding. |
| May 2 |
The Foundation’s first annual general meeting is held in Abbotsford. |
| Mar 7 |
The Foundation board allocates funding to the Central Farm Working Group to establish the BC Agriculture Council. This new central farm organization replaces the BC Federation of Agriculture. |
| Spring |
The Foundation is assigned to distribute $1 million for the National Soil and Water Conservation Program under CARD. |
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| 1998 |
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| Oct 30 |
The Foundation becomes the escrow agent for the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program, managing $2 million provincial funds and $2 million federal funds. |
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| 1999 |
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| Apr 1 |
CARD II funds totalling $4.77 million are announced, signalling an increase in BC’s share of the fund. |
| Sept 16 |
The Foundation board amends the bylaws enabling the members to approve the addition of new members. The board accepts the BC Milk Producers’ Association as a member. |
| Dec 14 |
The Western Agri-Food Institute, an initiative of six industry-led bodies including the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, is launched. |
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| 2000 |
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| June 9 |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announces funding for an Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Initiative, to be delivered in British Columbia by the Foundation. |
| Nov 14 |
AgAware BC, an organization funded in part by the Foundation, hosts the first BC Agriculture Festival in Vancouver. |
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| 2001 |
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| Mar 16 |
The BC and federal governments announce a $13.3 million Agri-Food Futures Fund to be directed at 14 emerging sector initiatives in BC and administered by the Foundation. |
| Apr 6 |
The Foundation welcomes three new member organizations: BC Grain Producers Association, BC Pork Producers Association and the Horse Council of BC.
Foundation members decide to increase the number of voting directors by two to allow for broader representation of the BC agriculture industry. |
| Oct 1 |
A website and revamped newsletter are launched with the positioning statement: "Helping agriculture adapt, diversify and grow." |
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| 2002 |
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| Feb 28 |
The Chilako River Watershed Council receives the CARD-sponsored Countryside Canada Environmental Stewardship Award for a project funded by the Foundation. |
| Spring |
A second instalment of $9.5 million is allocated for the Agri-Food Futures Fund; $8 million is earmarked for environmental programs and the remaining funds are reserved for the Food Quality & Safety Initiative. |
| Apr 24 |
The Foundation board welcomes two new member organizations (the BC Greenhouse Growers Association and BC Landscape and Nursery Association) and rescind the BC Horticulture Coalition as a member. |
| May 23 |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Health Canada launch a funding program through CARD to increase the availability of reduce-risk pesticides. |
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| 2003 |
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| Jan 20 |
CARD II fund is extended to spring 2004 with an additional $1.49 million. |
| Apr 1 |
The Foundation assumes management of the Orchard Renovation Program, formerly the Tree Fruit Industry Revitalization/Orchard Replant program of the Okanagan Valley Tree Fruit Authority. |
| May 30 |
Walter Goerzen is appointed chair of the board, replacing Gary Kenwood. |
| June 13 |
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands) and the British Columbia Agriculture Council initiate the Environmental Farm Plan Program. The Foundation serves as the program trustee. |
| Aug 1 |
The Foundation hires its first full-time Executive Director, Robert Simon, to handle its expanding mandate. |
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| 2004 |
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| Apr 7 |
The Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program is launched as the successor to the CARD funding program. BC’s allocation of funding is $1,696,345 annually with an additional $254,452 of matching funding available for projects funded through collaboration with other adaptation councils. |
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| 2005 |
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| Mar 14 |
A Small Projects Program is pilot tested to offer fast turn-around times for projects with funding requests under $5,000. |
| Mar 31 |
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands announces $1.5 million for the Poultry Biosecurity Initiative, a program administered by the Foundation to tackle issues surrounding avian influenza. |
| Feb |
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands announces an additional $4.65 million to the Orchard Renovation Program to help plant higher density orchards. |
| Apr 26 |
The Council of Marketing Boards of BC resigns as a member and the BC Poultry Association joins. |
| July 7 |
The Foundation approves a seven-year Livestock Waste Tissue Strategic Plan for the allocation of $5 million toward projects on innovative and efficient waste tissue disposal options. |
| Nov 7 |
The BC Agriculture Council is awarded the Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence for Environmental Stewardship after being nominated by the Foundation. |
| Dec 21 |
The Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program is allocated an additional $1 million from the BC government and $1.6 million from the Foundation. |
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada approves an additional $1.5 million to fund pilot projects for on-farm biosecurity within the Foundation's Poultry Biosecurity Initiative. |
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| 2006 |
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| Mar 31 |
Focus on the Future, a province-wide consultation process initiated by the Foundation, identifies key issues important to the agriculture industry’s lasting success. |
| Apr 3 |
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands announces $5 million to help industry meet requirements for a uniform meat inspection system through the Meat Transition Assistance Program. The program is delivered by the BC Food Processors Association and administered by the Foundation. |
| Apr 24 |
The Small Projects Program expands and doubles the small project funding cap to $10,000. |
| May 30 |
H.A. (Bert) Miles is appointed chair of the board, replacing Walter Goerzen. |
| Oct 31 |
The Foundation celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
To date, member organizations include: the BC Cattlemen’s Association, BC Fruit Growers’ Association, BC Grain Producers Association, BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association, BC Landscape and Nursery Association, BC Milk Producers Association, BC Pork Producers’ Association, BC Poultry Association, FARM Community Council and the Horse Council of BC. |
