Series GR-0405 - Register of agricultural and horticultural societies

The Ministry of Agriculture was established in 1894 under its first name, Dept. of Agriculture, with the enactment of the Department of Agriculture Act (SBC 1894, c. 1). Prior to 1894, all agricultural functions were placed within the jurisdiction of a single minister, who was responsible for both finance and agriculture. With the 1894 establishment of the department, the statistician became the first deputy minister. One of the main functions of the department at this time was to collect and analyze statistics relating to agriculture in the province for the purpose of planning further agricultural progress.

Although legislation established separate departments for agriculture and finance, a single minister continued to act as both the minister of finance and agriculture until 1916 when separate ministers were appointed. At this time, the BC Government enacted a new Department of Agriculture Act (SBC 1916, c. 53). The minister of agriculture was responsible for the administration of the laws relating to agriculture, horticulture, and the pastoral industries. The functions of the department included the supervision of model and experimental farms, and of all agricultural, horticulture, livestock, poultry, and dairying associations and institutes receiving government aid. Marketing, and the collection and publication of statistics continued to be an important function.

The work of the department was divided among the following branches in 1947: agricultural development and extension; field crops and seed improvement; horticultural; live stock; markets; plant pathology, entomology, and apiary inspection; and soil surveys. As well, the deputy minister was responsible for farmers’ and women’s institutes, agricultural associations, exhibitions, fall fairs, and agricultural statistics and publications. In 1976, the department was renamed the Ministry of Agriculture (OIC 3199/76).