There are a few things Renee Prasad loves more than reconnecting with UFV's agriculture alumni. So many students have graduated from the university and gone on to do wonderful things in the ag sector, and she'll see some of them on Saturday, Oct 5 when UFV Chilliwack hosts the Agriculture Alumni Pop-Up Farmer's Market.
"My favorite thing about my job at UFV is the students and alumni," says the associate professor and Agriculture department head. "Regardless of why they are interested in agriculture and where they end up, it is just so rewarding to be a tiny part of their journeys."
"It's cool to see your students out there living their dreams."
The market is being held from 10 am to 1 pm under the big arched roof of Building R, the old RCMP shooting range. It's protected from the elements and provides plenty of space. Renee says the date was chosen so folks can stock up on locally-grown goodies before Thanksgiving.
Products that will be on sale, and the farm/alumni producing them include:
- Hazelnuts from Van Maren Farms (Cornel Van Maren, Dip '16)
- Cheese from Smits and Co.w Farm (Caitlin Smits)
- Field vegetables from KBF farm (Gagandeep Khakh, Cert '19)
- Field vegetables from Lundstrom Farm (Heidi Lundstrom, Cert '12)
- Goat meat from Island Goat Ranch (Heidi Lundstrom, Cert '12)
- Wagyu beef (ground) from Fraser Valley Wagyu (Liam Ritchie, Dip '20)
- Microgreens from South Side Greens (Mwenda Dyck, Cert '24)
- Fall Ornamental Plants from Qualitree Nursery (Garry Neels (Cert '04), Tony Van Oort (founders) along with Stephanie Saccomano, Mindy Neels (Cert '22), and Chris Knezetic (lead growers))
- Cranberries from Hopcott Farms (Travis Hopcott, Dip '07)
Renee laughs when asked what she's interested in buying.
"Hazelnuts. Goat meat. Cheese. Basically, I'm listing everything," she says with a grin. "Liam is quite excited to see what the reaction is to the Wagyu beef, and when I told my husband that, he told me I should make sure I'm first in line."
It's a hectic time of year for farms, and some alumni told Renee they couldn't do the market because they're busy with harvest or agri-tourism events. But all of them were excited about the idea and expressed a desire to participate.
"They're sending products to be sold, and that's because they see the value in community building and supporting the school where they got their undergrad training," Renee says. "Even though some of them can't attend, it makes me feel good that they are so busy having success in their field.
"That's very encouraging."
The market is part of the UFV 50th anniversary celebration, funded by the UFV 50 Program Fund. Agriculture was one of the first courses that was taught at Fraser Valley College back in UFV's earliest days, and the market will see alumni from as far back as the 1990's participating.
"This initiative embodies the goals of the 50th anniversary year," says Laura Authier, Associate Vice President, Community Engagement. "The Agriculture Alumni Pop-up Market raises the profile of the agriculture program, showcases the accomplishments of the program's graduates, and allows alumni, students, and the greater community to make new connections."
In addition to offering great products, the market offers the opportunity to showcase how UFV's agriculture programs have evolved over the decades.
"Fifty years ago, most of our students were coming from farms and going back to farms, and now that is less than 25 percent," Renee notes. "Students are realizing that agriculture offers diverse career pathways. You can work with plants or animals, but primary production is not the only option. Our graduates also become technicians, consultants, technical reps, agronomists, or ag scientists after going to grad school.
"As the needs of the students and agriculture industry evolved, so too have our programs."
Renee feels good about that, and she says the market will include an educational component. As people wander about, they'll be able to check out posters that highlight student and faculty research. She hopes to turn this into an annual event.
Source: University of the Fraser Valley.