604 465 4322General Store Site 12294 Harris Road Pitt Meadows, B.C.
Click Here for Directions& Visiting Hours
History of the Pitt Meadows Farmers Institute
Settlers in Pitt Meadows primarily relied on the business of farming to survive. Dairy and berry farming were most common in Pitt Meadows. As the municipality grew institutes, organizations and clubs were formed to nurture the common interests of Pitt Meadows’ residents.
One of those institutes was the Pitt Meadows Farmers’ Institute (P.M.F.I.) which was incorporated on March 20, 1928, to support and advocate for farmers. The Institute supported farmers by meeting regularly to help each other by sharing knowledge. Dairy farmers shared information about how to meet their milk quotas. Speakers were invited to educate local farmers about farming techniques and the latest technology. For example, on July 26, 1944, members of the Farmers’ Institute met at the municipal hall where Mr. Hicks from the Agassiz Experimental Farm gave a lecture on artificial insemination. Members benefited by being in the Farmers’ Institute because they were a part of a group that experienced the same challenges. The farmers in the Institute made resolutions to voice their objection to changes that could harm their business. For instance, in 1946, they met and ratified a resolution against the manufacturing of margarine which could reduce the income of dairy farmers. The Institute further assisted farmers by bringing services and supplies closer to their farms.
Many farmers in Pitt Meadows bought their supplies and feed at the Co-op located at Webster’s Corner in Maple Ridge. This meant that farmers had to commute longer to get necessities. The P.M.F.I. resolved this inconvenience by building a warehouse, a feed store, and a hammer mill that later became the Co-op in Pitt Meadows.
Farmers such as dairy farmers needed healthy cattle to ensure the success of their business. The Farmers’ Institute helped farmers in Pitt Meadows by finding and hiring a veterinarian. The Institute also assisted and cooperated with the government to administer vaccines to cows.
The P.M.F.I. promoted agriculture through competitions and a club for young people. For example, the Farmers’ Institute hosted its first ploughing match on November 20, 1929. In 1930, the Institute began organizing and sponsoring Calf Club 4-H work for boys and girls ages 10 to 18. Each year the Farmers’ Institute gave prize money to Calf Club 4H winners. In 1931, The Institute hosted a garden competition open to students and prizes were awarded.
The Farmers’ Institute discussed changes that happened in Pitt Meadows and publicly voiced their opinion to sway the outcome. They sent representatives to a meeting on preparing a plan for the building of a new bridge at Barnston Island. At another time the Farmers’ Institute convinced the Commissioner of Dykes that farmers in Pitt Meadows could not pay the increase in tax. They also resolved that the cost of education was too high. The Institute supported other organizations in the community. They generously gave donations to the Miss Pitt Meadows Day committee, the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, the Pitt Meadows Welfare, the Cancer Fund, the Community Church, the Women’s Institute and treats for children on Christmas and Halloween.
The P.M.F.I. was instrumental in empowering farmers by equipping them with the knowledge to improve farming practices, support them in the ever-changing demands of the market, provide essential supplies more conveniently and ultimately help farmers successfully provide for their families. This Institutes’ contribution to the community was the thriving of local businesses which led to Pitt Meadows becoming more sustainable. The Pitt Meadows Farmers’ Institute is still active today (as the Ridge Meadows Farmers Institute),but the Museum’s records regarding the Institute concludes in 1965.
Calf Club 4-H
The Farmers’ Institute organized a Calf Club 4-H work in the district for boys and girls ages 10 to 18 under the supervisor of the Department of Agriculture in 1930. Each year achievement nights were held and prizes given out. The Farmers’ Institute sponsored the 4-H clubs and supplied prize money. The Bank of Montreal donated the first cup. The Calf club’s membership seemed to lapse in 1939, but was renewed again in 1953, under the direction of G. Williamson.
The 4-H organization began in 1914 in British Columbia. The four H’s stand for head, heart, hands and health. The 4-H pledge is “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country, and my world.” The objectives of 4-H clubs are knowledge, leadership, awareness of agriculture, preparation to become adult citizens and personal development in youth to become a positive impact in their communities.
In the organization’s first year over 200 kids and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 18 became members of boys and girls clubs. Today, there are almost 3,000 young people between the ages of 6 and 21.
The 4-H competitions were sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. The program focused on a variety of agricultural projects like potatoes, poultry, swine, dairy, sheep, corn etc. The Department of Agriculture provided training, instruction in judging and, support. In 1952 the boys and girls clubs were renamed to 4-H clubs. Later, youth with no farming background were allowed to participate by working on crafts, learning about outdoor living and the environment.
One of those institutes was the Pitt Meadows Farmers’ Institute (P.M.F.I.) which was incorporated on March 20, 1928, to support and advocate for farmers. The Institute supported farmers by meeting regularly to help each other by sharing knowledge. Dairy farmers shared information about how to meet their milk quotas. Speakers were invited to educate local farmers about farming techniques and the latest technology. For example, on July 26, 1944, members of the Farmers’ Institute met at the municipal hall where Mr. Hicks from the Agassiz Experimental Farm gave a lecture on artificial insemination. Members benefited by being in the Farmers’ Institute because they were a part of a group that experienced the same challenges. The farmers in the Institute made resolutions to voice their objection to changes that could harm their business. For instance, in 1946, they met and ratified a resolution against the manufacturing of margarine which could reduce the income of dairy farmers. The Institute further assisted farmers by bringing services and supplies closer to their farms.
Many farmers in Pitt Meadows bought their supplies and feed at the Co-op located at Webster’s Corner in Maple Ridge. This meant that farmers had to commute longer to get necessities. The P.M.F.I. resolved this inconvenience by building a warehouse, a feed store, and a hammer mill that later became the Co-op in Pitt Meadows.
Farmers such as dairy farmers needed healthy cattle to ensure the success of their business. The Farmers’ Institute helped farmers in Pitt Meadows by finding and hiring a veterinarian. The Institute also assisted and cooperated with the government to administer vaccines to cows.
The P.M.F.I. promoted agriculture through competitions and a club for young people. For example, the Farmers’ Institute hosted its first ploughing match on November 20, 1929. In 1930, the Institute began organizing and sponsoring Calf Club 4-H work for boys and girls ages 10 to 18. Each year the Farmers’ Institute gave prize money to Calf Club 4H winners. In 1931, The Institute hosted a garden competition open to students and prizes were awarded.
The Farmers’ Institute discussed changes that happened in Pitt Meadows and publicly voiced their opinion to sway the outcome. They sent representatives to a meeting on preparing a plan for the building of a new bridge at Barnston Island. At another time the Farmers’ Institute convinced the Commissioner of Dykes that farmers in Pitt Meadows could not pay the increase in tax. They also resolved that the cost of education was too high. The Institute supported other organizations in the community. They generously gave donations to the Miss Pitt Meadows Day committee, the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, the Pitt Meadows Welfare, the Cancer Fund, the Community Church, the Women’s Institute and treats for children on Christmas and Halloween.
The P.M.F.I. was instrumental in empowering farmers by equipping them with the knowledge to improve farming practices, support them in the ever-changing demands of the market, provide essential supplies more conveniently and ultimately help farmers successfully provide for their families. This Institutes’ contribution to the community was the thriving of local businesses which led to Pitt Meadows becoming more sustainable. The Pitt Meadows Farmers’ Institute is still active today (as the Ridge Meadows Farmers Institute),but the Museum’s records regarding the Institute concludes in 1965.
Calf Club 4-H
The Farmers’ Institute organized a Calf Club 4-H work in the district for boys and girls ages 10 to 18 under the supervisor of the Department of Agriculture in 1930. Each year achievement nights were held and prizes given out. The Farmers’ Institute sponsored the 4-H clubs and supplied prize money. The Bank of Montreal donated the first cup. The Calf club’s membership seemed to lapse in 1939, but was renewed again in 1953, under the direction of G. Williamson.
The 4-H organization began in 1914 in British Columbia. The four H’s stand for head, heart, hands and health. The 4-H pledge is “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living for my club, my community and my country, and my world.” The objectives of 4-H clubs are knowledge, leadership, awareness of agriculture, preparation to become adult citizens and personal development in youth to become a positive impact in their communities.
In the organization’s first year over 200 kids and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 18 became members of boys and girls clubs. Today, there are almost 3,000 young people between the ages of 6 and 21.
The 4-H competitions were sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. The program focused on a variety of agricultural projects like potatoes, poultry, swine, dairy, sheep, corn etc. The Department of Agriculture provided training, instruction in judging and, support. In 1952 the boys and girls clubs were renamed to 4-H clubs. Later, youth with no farming background were allowed to participate by working on crafts, learning about outdoor living and the environment.
