News release
LETHBRIDGE RESEARCH CENTRE CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF SERVICE IN SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, July 28, 2006 – This month, the Lethbridge Research Centre is celebrating 100 years of excellent service in agriculture science and innovation. To mark the anniversary, the Centre is hosting an open-house and field day for the public. Celebrations also include the official opening of Canada’s new state-of-the-art Insect Microbial Containment Facility.
“I’m pleased to be here to congratulate the staff of the Lethbridge Research Centre for their great work and dedication in continuing a tradition of scientific excellence,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. “This dedication to expertise and partnerships in science and innovation is the cornerstone of this new government’s commitment to a sustainable and profitable future for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry.”
“The history of this Centre is very closely tied to the development of the City of Lethbridge and other communities in this area,” said Dr. Zahir Mir, Research Manager at the Lethbridge Research Centre. “There is a lot to celebrate as we showcase a century of service to Canadians, and look to the future with the opening of our new research facility.”
The Centre was established in1906 to address the farming challenges of the Prairies’ short growing season, lack of moisture, high winds, different soils, and lack of adapted crop varieties. Today, research continues to evolve to meet current challenges and create new opportunities to keep Canadian producers competitive in world markets.
The Insect Microbial Containment Facility and research space expansion adds over 4,000 square meters of space to the Lethbridge Research Centre to address priority research, and encourage opportunities for research collaboration with universities, government departments and agencies, and other potential partner organizations.
Open-house activities will include guided tours of research plots, research demonstrations, antique farm and research equipment, and historic and scientific displays.
More information about the Lethbridge Research Centre and Centennial events is available at http://res2.agr.ca/Lethbridge/cent/index_e.htm or by calling 403-327-4561.
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For more information, media can contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(613) 759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's office
613-759-1059
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