Overall goal of the Centre

• To retain and re-create existing farm and forest lands at the University of British Columbia into an internationally significant centre for sustainable agriculture, forestry and food systems

History

1913 - Plan for new University sets aside 200 acres of Farm Lands on the southern-sloped portion of the Point Grey plateau

1915 - Faculty of Agriculture helped prepare agricultural research land at UBC's future Point Grey location**

1925 - 1950's - Agricultural areas shifted from west end of campus to the south end.

1950's - early 1980's - Agricultural research and teaching facilities shifted again to the south.

1970's - 80's - Began the move even further south to where the farm is now located.

1990's - changing research priorities and uncertainty of future land uses lead to a decline of activity on the south campus farm areas

2000 - Present: Active re-invention of the existing farmlands, creating the current multi-functional academic and community working farm system.

Future - Students and community members are increasingly excited by the possibility of retaining land-based, sustainably managed, participatory agro-ecological systems here on the UBC campus. The farm continues to diversify and expand. With continued growth and support, the future looks positive!

Overview

• Located on the traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation, historically this area was forest used as hunting grounds
• 24-hectare teaching, research, and community farm
• Student driven initiative, supported by staff and members of the community and faculty
• The only working farmland within the city of Vancouver

Main areas of focus

Education

• Focus on providing experientially based environmental education opportunities for UBC students and the wider community
• Ensure education is engaging interactive and participatory

Research

• Home to many student and non-student research projects over the last five years
• Emerging research projects with faculty members, government, and non-profit organizations

Community

• Holds public markets in the summer
• School programs and summer camps
• Community garden projects