Regenerative agriculture is the hot topic at this year鈥檚 Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford from Jan. 26 to 28.
As Western Canada鈥檚 largest agricultural event, showcasing what鈥檚 new, exciting and cutting edge in farming has always been a big part of their mandate.
A new initiative this year is that all trade-show visitors may attend Thursday鈥檚 Regenerative Agriculture and the Agritech/Innovation, and Friday鈥檚 Every Chef Needs a Farmer and Feed BC programs free of charge with their admission to the trade-show floor.
鈥淎fter navigating the past few years of the pandemic, we鈥檙e thrilled to celebrate our 25th year of the show with the entire community,鈥� said Jim Shepard, producer of the Pacific Agriculture Show. 鈥淔rom rising food costs to regenerative agriculture, there are many new issues affecting our local farmers and the future of Canadian growers.鈥�
This year鈥檚 event showcases the latest and most innovative equipment and technology. Thousands of farmers and agri-food producers will attend to compare and investigate what over 300 exhibitors have to make their operation more efficient.
鈥淭he size and scope of this year鈥檚 show is greater than last year,鈥� said Shepard, mainly due to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in better shape this year. A lot of exhibitors couldn鈥檛 cross the border last year.鈥�
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Technological advancements have been made in every aspect of farming, including autonomous tractors, vertical farming, drones, and software and hardware breakthroughs. Shepard says the high-tech revolution continues to shape the way farmers grow their business.
鈥淗ow do we feed eight billion people?鈥� asks Shepard. 鈥淲ith climate change and flooding and all the different wild cards we haven鈥檛 seen before, the B.C. government has become very interested in regenerative agriculture.鈥�
A Regenerative Agriculture and Growers鈥� Short Course will be presented by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food together with the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association at this year鈥檚 show
B.C.鈥檚 agriculture industry is unique in its diversity, and the show attracts attendance from all the livestock and horticulture sectors, including: dairy, cattle, poultry, equine, hogs, llamas, alpacas, vegetable, berry, grape, bulb, ornamentals, hothouse, flower and shrub growing and more.
鈥淎griculture is so high tech and relevant now,鈥� Shepard said. 鈥淥ur best and our brightest need to know there is a future in the industry.鈥�
Shepard points out the emerging cannabis field as just another farming stream that young and old alike can pursue.
Industry leaders and experts will also be in attendance throughout the show. This includes the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the City of Abbotsford Economic Development. The Agri-Tech Venture Acceleration Program will also be on site, featuring startup and early-stage agri-tech companies in the Fraser Valley.
The Pacific Agriculture Show takes place Jan. 26 to 28 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tradex at the Abbotsford International Airport. Visit for more information or to purchase tickets.
