The province’s largest agricultural trade show kicks off this week, as the Pacific Agriculture Show celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Tradex in Abbotsford on January 26-28.
Registrations for the rebranded Regenerative Agriculture and Growers Short Course indicate strong attendance this year that will push Tradex – now under new management – to the max.
Organizers told participants to expect “a really full event” when the show kicks off January 26. The trade show floor will be full, and the province’s role as lead organizer has seen admission to all parts of the event lowered to just $15 per person.
“Tradex has assured us there are adequate food service options for attendees,” organizers reported last week, with food trucks adding an element of excitement to the standard fare.
Running concurrent with the trade show, the short course marks its 65th anniversary this year. It will kick off with sessions on regenerative agriculture, agritech and greenhouse and vegetable production on January 26.
Raspberries and strawberries will also feature on the first day, followed by all-berry sessions on Friday and blueberries on Saturday.
Sessions on January 27 focus on potatoes, field vegetables, hazelnuts and cannabis, as well as spotlights on the province’s Feed BC initiatives, including Every Chef Needs a Farmer.
Direct marketing, organics and hops production dominate Saturday, alongside blueberries.
Saturday is often prime time for families to attend and learn more about local farms. Displays include an expanded petting zoo where kids can get up close and personal with their farm friends.
Due to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak, live poultry will not be present as poultry producers continue to observe stringent biosecurity protocols. Tradex sits in the middle of one of the primary control zones established by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to control the disease.
While registrations have been steady, those who cannot attend have the option to register to attend virtually. The popularity of this option in the past has made it available once again this year. In-person attendees will also receive a code to stream the live presentations after the fact, reviewing them for details they might have missed.
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