OAC celebrates 150 years | Farmtario

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) is celebrating 150 years of history, having first opened its doors in May 1874. It is one of the University of Guelph’s three founding colleges.

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From May 1 until the end of the year, the OAC will celebrate its 150-year history with a range of events, projects and activities that reflect its achievements and vision for the future, the university said in a release.  

A full list of events can be found here. They include history tours through campus, Food Day Canada celebrations and a capstone celebration during Alumni Reunion Weekend in June. The OAC community – alumni, faculty, staff, students and industry partners – is invited to reconnect with one another and share memories throughout the next 12 months of celebrations.

“The entire University of Guelph community is thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone in our history,” Dr. Charlotte Yates, U of G president and vice-chancellor said in the release. “OAC has a proud and rich legacy of developing leaders and cultivating innovation in the global agri-food sector.”

The OAC’s 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 Ridgetown, and now leverages the network of research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) that span the province, the university said.

Originally named the Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm, OAC changed its name in 1880 to better reflect its purpose and ambitions.

Throughout its history, the university said the OAC has always been a leader in innovation, research and teaching to support the agri-food sector.

In the May 1 release kicking off the OAC’s anniversary celebrations, John Cranfield, acting dean of OAC said “Today, 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.”

“With 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,” he said.

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. 

The University of Guelph said this commitment continues today as the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the university.

Milestones along the way

In 150 years, the university said the OAC “has 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”: 

• In 1903, the establishment of the Macdonald Institute on the OAC campus marked a significant entry point for women into the community and higher education. At first providing only domestic science education, women at the Macdonald Institute gained greater access to a range of programs and roles in the agricultural sector as societal attitudes shifted. 
• Over two world wars, OAC professors taught military leaders who were feeding soldiers how to make efficient use of war rations.
• In 1946, OAC welcomed its first international students from India who enrolled to learn the latest innovations in animal husbandry, beekeeping and soil biology.
• In 1964, OAC became a founding college of U of G, marking a new phase of growth that would help it match international standards.
• In 1997, OAC began offering programs and conducting research at two locations, as Ridgetown Campus officially became part of the University.