Friday - Jan 9 - The future of farming

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Good morning!

We're back with your weekly roundup of Fraser Valley news. Today's feature looks at the upcoming Pacific Agriculture Show in Abbotsford, which is tackling the industry's labour shortage head-on by highlighting high-tech career paths. With nearly a third of the agricultural workforce set to retire by decade's end, schools like UFV and KPU are stepping up to fill the gap.

Plus, if you’re already missing Christmas cheer and you can brave the risk of rain, head to Harrison Hot Springs for one final skate under the lights.

– The FVC team (Emily, Robyn and William)

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🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

Today’s Feature

Agriculture labour shortage takes centre stage at Abbotsford show

Western Canada's largest agricultural event is putting careers front and centre this year as the industry works to fill a growing labour gap.

The Pacific Agriculture Show returns to Abbotsford's Tradex Centre from January 22 to 24, bringing together farmers, producers, and students for three days of networking and education. This year's focus is on agriculture as a modern, technology-driven field offering stable career opportunities—a shift organizers say is critical as Canada faces widespread labour shortages.

"We've seen how artificial intelligence is taking over skilled roles in nearly every industry, making it challenging for the next generation to find a future-proof career," said Jim Shepard, the show's producer. "BC is crafting a new lens around agriculture as a long-term career."

According to the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, the domestic labour gap in agriculture will grow by 15% by 2030, reaching over 100,000 unfilled positions. Nearly 30% of the current agricultural workforce is expected to retire by the end of the decade.

What to expect»

Need to Know

🚗 Fraser Health reminded drivers and pedestrians to take winter safety precautions including checking tire tread, clearing windshields, and wearing appropriate footwear to avoid increased motor vehicle crashes during winter months. [Fraser Health]

💧 Harrison Hot Springs clarified that the village did not discharge untreated wastewater into Harrison River or Lake during December 2025's heavy rains, responding to false claims in local media. [Village of Harrison Hot Springs]

🎤 The Abbotsford-Mission Rock Choir opened registration with rehearsals featuring a four-piece rock band and all concert proceeds benefiting local charities after raising $26,766 for Chilliwack Community Services in 2025. [Abbotsford-Mission Rock Choir]

📊 Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 census workers ahead of the May 2026 census, with enumerator positions paying $25.87 per hour plus expenses. [Statistics Canada]

💔 A structure fire in Langley on January 7 claimed the life of a 15-year-old youth, with no indication of criminality as investigators examine the circumstances. [Langley RCMP]

🐟 The Fraser River section from Mission to Hope tied with the Cowichan River for BC's most endangered river on the 2026 ORCBC list due to urbanization threatening salmon and sturgeon habitats. [Hope Standard]

🏥 Mission Memorial Hospital's Emergency Department resumed full 24/7 operations on January 7 after temporary service disruptions. [Fraser Health]

🏘️ Harrison Hot Springs property values rose 3 per cent to $882,000 while District of Kent values remained unchanged at $778,000, reflecting a softening Lower Mainland real estate market. [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]

🏢 Chilliwack Council rezoned two empty School Street lots for a planned seven-storey, 278-unit mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space. [Chilliwack Progress]

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Inside Hopcott Farms: The math of survival

What does resilience look like on a modern Canadian farm? At Hopcott Farms in Pitt Meadows, it means adapting to climate volatility, managing people, and making decisions that protect long-term viability. In this Young Farmers Series profile, Travis Hopcott shares how a third-generation farm stays upright in uncertain times. Read his story here.

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🗓 Things to do

Lights by the Lake: Harrison Hot Springs' lakeside lights and winter displays run through January 11, with this weekend marking the final chance to see the lakeside lights before they come down.

Starlight Skating Rink: Free outdoor skating beneath twinkling lights at Harrison Hot Springs runs through January 11 with skate rentals available on select days for a fee.

Open Mic Night: In Chilliwack, Sidekick Brewing's monthly live music open mic on Wednesday, January 14 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM welcomes acoustic musicians of all genres to perform 2-3 songs. Performers receive a free 16oz beer with sign-up; open mic night is hosted by Jakub n' Jules on the second Wednesday of every month.

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