Chilliwack Agricultural Commission

"Chilliwack is the perfect location for agricultural business. With an abundance of the highest quality agricultural land in Canada, low cost of living, proximity to the US and Vancouver markets, a business friendly government and a great growing climate, there is no better place to develop an agricultural business than Chilliwack, British Columbia.”

- Walter Dyck
Owner, SpruceWood Farms Ltd.

Chilliwack Agricultural Commission

The Chilliwack Agricultural Commission is a subsidiary of the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO). CEPCO is a unique, community-based economic development organization within the City of Chilliwack.

CEPCO's Strategic Plan fully recognizes the significance of agriculture to the economic base of Chilliwack, where agriculture currently represents approximately 30% of Chilliwack's economic activity and agriculture occupies approximately 65% of the land.

In recognition of the significance of agriculture in the Chilliwack economy, CEPCO established the Chilliwack Agricultural Commission with its own Board of Directors, consisting of a large group of stakeholders representing a broad, diverse cross-section of agricultural interests in the community.

The Mandate

The Chilliwack Agricultural Commission's mandate is to encourage the establishment of Chilliwack as a center of excellence in agriculture by means of implementing an agricultural strategy that facilitates a diverse and sustainable agricultural sector.

The Objectives

The Chilliwack Agricultural Commission's objectives are as follows:

to educate and raise awareness as to the importance of agriculture to the community and economy;
to work with existing businesses through business retention and expansion programs;
to attract agricultural related businesses to the community;
to enhance agricultural education opportunities by working with community stakeholders;
to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Committees

Public Awareness
Education

2008 Chilliwack Agricultural Commission Board of Directors

Walter Dyck, Chair
Sprucewood Farms Ltd.

Peter Awram
Honeyview Farm Ltd.

Chris Byra
Greenbelt SWINE Veterinary Services Ltd.

Pat Clark
Councillor, City of Chilliwack

Tony Degroot
Tonesa Holsteins Ltd.

Reg Ens
Meyers Norris Penny LLP

Walter Esau
Royal Lepage Wheeler Cheam Realty

Paul Goerzen
Unifeed Ltd.

Clint Hames
Mayor, City of Chilliwack

Tim Loewen
Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd.

Rose Morrison
University of the Fraser Valley

Steve Saccomano
BMO - Bank of Montreal

Chuck Stam
Councillor, City of Chilliwack

Stan Vander Waal
Rainbow Greenhouses

Chris Zabek
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands