Farmscape for December 15, 2009   (Episode 3375)

Manitoba Pork Council is applauding the launch of construction of the Bruce D Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre at the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Livestock and the Environment.

Officials with the University of Manitoba and invited guests gathered yesterday at the Glenlea Research Station south of Winnipeg for the official launch of construction of a new world class agricultural education facility and to unveil its new name.

The Bruce D Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, located on the grounds of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment is scheduled to be operational in 2010 and will provide the public a hands on opportunity to learn about agriculture and agricultural research.

Manitoba Pork research committee chair Rick Bergmann says the Canadian pork industry produces a quality product and to maintain its competitive position investment in research and education is essential.

Clip-Rick Bergmann-Manitoba Pork Council:
Once the discovery centre is up you're going to see a significant increase in value that that's going to bring to the awareness of agriculture here in Manitoba.

With the many R & D projects that are underway now as well as in the future, the building will enhance the ability for people to understand the value of agriculture and they'll also recognize if they don't now already that here in Manitoba is the best place to raise product and also to purchase the product.

It is under strict guidelines with the CQA and anybody who buys a Manitoba grown product buys a quality product.

The eight thousand 280 square foot discovery centre will feature interactive displays and exhibits focusing on various aspects of the food production chain, viewing galleries on the hog barn and videos relaying scenes from the demonstration barn, food retailing and food safety displays.

It is expected to be operational by October of next year and is expected to attract up to 30,000 visitors per year.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

       *Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council