Founded in 1947, the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) is the sole self-governing regulator of registered agrologists in British Columbia. By applying stringent accreditation procedures, mandatory professional development, and professional conduct standards, including rigorous complaint and discipline procedures, BCIA and its registrants protect the public interest in the province's agricultural, environmental, and natural resource sectors.
Agrology is a reserved profession in British Columbia.
Founded in 1947, the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) is the sole self-governing regulator of registered agrologists in British Columbia. By applying stringent accreditation procedures, mandatory professional development, and professional conduct standards, including rigorous complaint and discipline procedures, BCIA and its registrants protect the public interest in the province's agricultural, environmental, and natural resource sectors.
BCIA's Vision
Through effective professional self-regulation, BCIA and its registrants shall be consistently regarded by the people of British Columbia as upholding and protecting the public interest.
BCIA's Mission
The mission of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists is to ensure the professional integrity and competency of its registrants to protect the public interest in the sustainable use of resources.
Term "Agrologist"
Dr. J.B. Harrington of the College of Agriculture coined the term “agrologist” as the name for this new profession. It came from the Greek words “agros” for field or tilled land, and “logist” for scientist. The name quickly gained acceptance and was widely adopted across Canada.
Today's Agrologists - 75 Years Later
Today there are over 1,900 Agrologists practicing in British Columbia in every facet of the agriculture and related environmental sectors. BCIA ensures the competent and ethical practice of its registrants in support of the public interest.
HISTORY OF BCIA >
Shortly after the First World War, it became evident to a group of scientists working in Canadian agriculture that it was essential to have an organization that could bring all agricultural scientists together to discuss common problems, consider new findings and technical developments, and consolidate the work of the different agrology-related branches of science.
A group of five individuals was appointed to seek a solution, the result being the Canadian Society of Technical Agriculturalists (CSTA). Their inaugural convention was in 1920, with Dr. L.S. Klinck of the University of British Columbia elected president. Twenty-five years later, in 1945, the CSTA changed its name to the Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC).
The British North America Act gave provincial legislatures full power to form, recognize, and control all professional groups. As a result, the AIC could not gain professional status for its membership country-wide, and each province was required to form its own professional body for this purpose. In April 1947, the BC Legislature passed the Agrologists Act, creating the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) with BCIA's Bylaws in effect on June 1, 1947.
As it is today, the role of the Institute is to protect the public interest by governing the professional conduct of its registrants and protecting the province's natural resources. The agrology profession in 1947 was narrowly defined by today's standards, applying almost exclusively to those working in the agri-food industry.
In 2003, a new Agrologists Act broadened the focus to include the environment and natural resources. The new Act was part of a government policy to place greater reliance on the professions for regulating professional behaviour and setting and maintaining professional standards.
On February 5, 2021, The Cabinet of British Columbia repealed the Agrologists Act and enacted the Professional Governance Act (PGA).