From May 1 until the end of the year,\u00a0the Ontario Agricultural College will celebrate its 150-year history with\u00a0a range of events, projects and activities that reflect its achievements\u00a0and vision for the future, the university said in a release.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0full list of events can be found here<\/a>. They include history tours through campus, Food Day Canada celebrations and a capstone celebration during Alumni Reunion Weekend in June. The OAC community \u2013 alumni, faculty, staff, students and industry partners \u2013 is invited to reconnect with one another and share memories throughout the next 12 months of celebrations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entire University of Guelph community is thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone in our history,\u201d Dr. Charlotte Yates, U of G president and vice-chancellor said in the release. \u201cOAC has a proud and rich legacy of developing leaders and cultivating innovation in the global agri-food sector.\u201d<\/p>\n The OAC\u2019s first graduating class had 28 diploma students, holding classes on a 550-acre farm purchased by the province. The OAC has grown to over 3,300 students across two campuses in Guelph and\u00a0Ridgetown, and now leverages the network of research centres owned by the\u00a0Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario\u00a0(ARIO) that span the province, the university said.<\/p>\n Originally named the Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm, OAC changed its name in 1880 to better reflect its purpose and ambitions.<\/p>\n Throughout its history, the university said the OAC has always been a leader in innovation, research and teaching to support the agri-food sector. \u201cWith strategic partnerships across various sectors, including government and organizations championing agriculture, food, the environment and rural communities, OAC is poised to continue its important mission,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n When the college opened, the Ontario government intended the college to secure its place on the world stage, the university said. In 1874, it was one of the first schools in Canada to integrate scientific research into farming practices, helping to modernize agriculture across the country.<\/p>\n The University of Guelph said this commitment continues today as the\u00a0Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance<\/a>, the collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the university.<\/p>\n In 150 years, the university said the OAC \u201chas seen the world change in fundamental ways, and the stories throughout its history tell us how it has become the powerhouse of innovation education it is today\u201d:<\/p>\n
\nIn the May 1 release kicking off the OAC\u2019s anniversary celebrations, John Cranfield, acting dean of OAC said \u201cToday, the influence of OAC extends far beyond agriculture, helping to bolster the backbone of our global agri-food system. OAC is a beacon of support for those dedicated to nurturing the land, sustaining our communities, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n