Simon Fraser University is taking a leading role in advancing agricultural technology through a new partnership with the City of Surrey. At the Mayor's Forum on the Future of Agriculture in Surrey, SFU and the City signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the SFU Frontier Hub for Agritech Research and Methodology (SFU-FARM), a new centre dedicated to agritech research, innovation, and commercialization.
Dilson Rassier, SFU's Provost and Vice-President Academic, and Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, sign an MOU at the Mayor's Forum on the Future of Agriculture in Surrey.
The hub will accelerate the development and adoption of technologies that enable more efficient, sustainable, and resilient farming practices. It will also serve as a space for testing, demonstrating, and scaling agritech solutions that strengthen food security and support economic diversification.
"Simon Fraser University is proud to partner with the City of Surrey on the creation of the SFU Frontier Hub for Agritech Research and Methodology (SFU-FARM)," says Dr. Joy Johnson, president of Simon Fraser University.
"This new hub will accelerate agritech research, innovation, and commercialization in British Columbia and beyond, with a focus on precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. SFU-FARM reflects our commitment to advancing climate innovation and addressing global environmental challenges through world-leading agritech solutions. These future-ready innovations will strengthen B.C.'s agricultural sector, support Canadian food security, and contribute to a resilient economy."
Under the agreement, SFU will lead the design and development of the hub, oversee applied research programs, and secure grant funding and external investment to support its growth. The City of Surrey will provide approximately 10 acres of Agricultural Land Reserve land through a long-term, low-cost lease and assist with zoning, permitting, and regulatory processes.
"This MOU between the City of Surrey and Simon Fraser University's Global Institute for Agritech will lay the groundwork for SFU's FARM to evolve into a vital regional R&D hub, supporting innovation across the agritech community", says Dr. Woo Soo Kim, director of SFU's Global Institute for Agritech.
The MOU further strengthen SFU's leadership position in agritech and innovation in the region. SFU's Surrey campus is already home to the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), which supports growers, producers, processors, and small and medium-sized businesses in adopting transformative technologies and bringing new products to market.
"Surrey is looking to become a leader in agricultural innovation in this region," said Mayor Brenda Locke. "But leading doesn't mean leaving traditional farming behind. Our partnership with SFU will give farmers the tools they need to innovate, grow sustainably, and build a stronger local food system to benefit families and the economy alike."
