Central Experimental Farm
Encyclopedia
The Central Experimental Farm (CEF) is an agricultural facility, working farm, and research centre of the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
. As the name indicates, this farm is centrally located in and completely surrounded by the City of Ottawa
, Ontario
, Canada
. The 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi) square kilometre farm is a National Historic Site and most buildings are protected and preserved as heritage buildings.
The CEF original intent was to perform scientific research for improvement in agricultural methods and crops. While such research is still being conducted, the park-like atmosphere of the CEF has become an important place of recreation and education for the residents of Ottawa. Furthermore, over the years several other departments and agencies have encroached onto the CEF property, such as Natural Resources Canada
, National Defence
(HMCS Carleton
on Dow's Lake), and the Ottawa Civic Hospital
(helicopter pad).
The CEF is bordered by the Rideau Canal
(a National Historic Site as well) to the east, Prince of Wales Drive to the South-East, Baseline Road
to the south, and Merivale
and Fisher Roads to the west, and Carling Avenue
to the north.
The Victorian era
was a time of great interest in the advancement of natural sciences and many nations built zoo
s, observatories
, botanical garden
s, and experimental farms. Canada followed suit and as the result of lobbying by John Carling
, the Minister of Agriculture, and William E. Saunders, the first director of the research branch, the "Act Respecting Experimental Stations" came into force in 1886. The CEF started out with 188 hectares, chosen because of their proximity to Parliament Hill
but (at that time) outside the city. Over the next few years the site was prepared by improving the land, building the facilities, and planting the Arboretum and forest belt. Early research projects focussed only on entomology
, botany
, and horticulture
.
In 1889, livestock was introduced to the CEF. Over the years the scope of research grew and changed, prompting a need to increase the farm's lands and buildings. The Horticulturalist's house and staff residences were removed by the 1930s (they were no longer needed since the city had grown around the farm), the forest belt gradually disappeared, and new larger centralized facilities were built, starting with the Saunders Building in 1935, followed by the Neatby Building, Geophysical Lab, Laboratory Services Building, and the Carling Building.
In 1983, the agricultural museum was created in the former Dairy Barn. The CEF was designated as a National Historic Site in 1998.
In 2003, Public Works and Government Services Canada
bought the Skyline office complex on the corner of Merivale and Baseline Roads from Nortel Networks. The complex has been renamed to "NHCAP" (= National Headquarters Complex for the Agriculture Portfolio). The head offices of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
have been relocated from the Sir John Carling Building
to this facility.
Notable office and research buildings:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada , is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies governing agriculture production, farming income, research and development, inspection, and the regulation of animals...
. As the name indicates, this farm is centrally located in and completely surrounded by the City of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi) square kilometre farm is a National Historic Site and most buildings are protected and preserved as heritage buildings.
The CEF original intent was to perform scientific research for improvement in agricultural methods and crops. While such research is still being conducted, the park-like atmosphere of the CEF has become an important place of recreation and education for the residents of Ottawa. Furthermore, over the years several other departments and agencies have encroached onto the CEF property, such as Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada
The Department of Natural Resources , operating under the FIP applied title Natural Resources Canada , is the ministry of the government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping and remote sensing...
, National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
(HMCS Carleton
HMCS Carleton
HMCS Carleton is a unit of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve based in Ottawa, Ontario, with approximately 230 sailors who are part time, full time and work with the Chief of Maritime Staff.-History:...
on Dow's Lake), and the Ottawa Civic Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital or L'Hôpital d'Ottawa is a major, non-profit, public, university teaching hospital in Ottawa made up of the former Grace Hospital, Riverside Hospital, Ottawa General Hospital and Ottawa Civic Hospital. It is a 1,195-bed academic health sciences centre...
(helicopter pad).
The CEF is bordered by the Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal , also known as the Rideau Waterway, connects the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the Ottawa River to the city of Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario. The canal was opened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States and is still in use today, with most of its...
(a National Historic Site as well) to the east, Prince of Wales Drive to the South-East, Baseline Road
Baseline Road (Ottawa)
Baseline Road is a road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Baseline runs from Richmond Road east in a straight line until it ends at the Heron Road Bridge over the Rideau River and Rideau Canal when it becomes Heron Road. Before the 2001 City of Ottawa amalgamation, Baseline formed the border of the city...
to the south, and Merivale
Merivale Road (Ottawa)
Merivale Road is an arterial road in the western part of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It starts at Island Park Drive just north of Highway 417 and continues south until it ends at Prince of Wales Drive in Rideau Glen...
and Fisher Roads to the west, and Carling Avenue
Carling Avenue
Carling Avenue is a major east-west arterial road in the west end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It runs from March Road in Kanata to Bronson Avenue in the Glebe...
to the north.
History
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
was a time of great interest in the advancement of natural sciences and many nations built zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
s, observatories
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
, botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
s, and experimental farms. Canada followed suit and as the result of lobbying by John Carling
John Carling
Sir John Carling, PC, KCMG of the Carling Brewery was a prominent politician and businessman from London, Ontario, Canada...
, the Minister of Agriculture, and William E. Saunders, the first director of the research branch, the "Act Respecting Experimental Stations" came into force in 1886. The CEF started out with 188 hectares, chosen because of their proximity to Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
but (at that time) outside the city. Over the next few years the site was prepared by improving the land, building the facilities, and planting the Arboretum and forest belt. Early research projects focussed only on entomology
Entomology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, a branch of arthropodology...
, botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, and horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
.
In 1889, livestock was introduced to the CEF. Over the years the scope of research grew and changed, prompting a need to increase the farm's lands and buildings. The Horticulturalist's house and staff residences were removed by the 1930s (they were no longer needed since the city had grown around the farm), the forest belt gradually disappeared, and new larger centralized facilities were built, starting with the Saunders Building in 1935, followed by the Neatby Building, Geophysical Lab, Laboratory Services Building, and the Carling Building.
In 2003, Public Works and Government Services Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for the government's internal servicing and administration....
bought the Skyline office complex on the corner of Merivale and Baseline Roads from Nortel Networks. The complex has been renamed to "NHCAP" (= National Headquarters Complex for the Agriculture Portfolio). The head offices of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada , is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies governing agriculture production, farming income, research and development, inspection, and the regulation of animals...
have been relocated from the Sir John Carling Building
Sir John Carling Building
The Sir John Carling Building is located along Carling Avenue at the Central Experimental Farm, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Until recently it was the headquarters of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, containing administration facilities and the offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister of...
to this facility.
Features
Major features:- Dominion ObservatoryDominion ObservatoryThe Dominion Observatory was an astronomical observatory in Ottawa, Canada that operated from 1902 to 1970. The Observatory was also an institution within the Canadian Federal Government. The observatory grew out of the Department of the Interior's need for the precise coordinates and timekeeping...
- Canada Agriculture MuseumCanada Agriculture MuseumThe Canada Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, houses a modern working farm. Its purpose is to illustrate how advances in farming science and technology have transformed the lives of Canadians...
- Dominion ArboretumDominion ArboretumThe Dominion Arboretum is located at the Central Experimental Farm of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Originally begun in 1889 the Arboretum covers about 26 ha of rolling land between Prince of Wales Drive, Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal. Carleton University is located...
- Ornamental GardensOrnamental GardensThe Ornamental Gardens are located at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. Once used as a test facility for the development of winter hardy roses, weigela and peonies, it now acts as the steward to several large collections of ornamentals...
, consisting of:- the perennial collection
- the rock garden
- the rose garden
- the annuals garden
- the Macoun Memorial Garden
- the hedge collection
- Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Notable office and research buildings:
- Sir John Carling BuildingSir John Carling BuildingThe Sir John Carling Building is located along Carling Avenue at the Central Experimental Farm, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Until recently it was the headquarters of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, containing administration facilities and the offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister of...
- Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre (ECORC)/ K.W. Neatby BuildingK.W. Neatby BuildingThe K.W. Neatby Building is located at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The building contains the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre , a research centre belonging to the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The building is a Recognized Heritage...
- Skyline Building, 1341 Baseline Road.
- The Canadian 4-H Council and Canadian 4-H Foundation
See also
- List of Ottawa, Ontario parks
- Canada Agriculture MuseumCanada Agriculture MuseumThe Canada Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, houses a modern working farm. Its purpose is to illustrate how advances in farming science and technology have transformed the lives of Canadians...
- Manitoba Agricultural MuseumManitoba Agricultural MuseumThe Manitoba Agricultural Museum is dedicated to collecting vintage farm machinery and buildings from 1900 and beyond. Located on in Austin, Manitoba, to date they have amassed over 500 piece of machinery and a pioneer village consisting of more than 20 buildings complete with artifacts. This is...
- Ross Farm MuseumRoss Farm MuseumThe Ross Farm Museum is an agricultural museum located in New Ross, Nova Scotia, about an hour's drive from Halifax. The exhibits feature working artisans, live animals, historic buildings, and antique implements and furnishings. The goal of the Ross Farm Museum is to give visitors an...
- Agriculture in CanadaAgriculture in CanadaCanada is one of the largest producers and exporters in the world. As with other developed nations, the proportion of the population and GDP devoted to agriculture fell dramatically over the 20th century but it remains an important element of the Canadian economy....
- Ontario Agricultural MuseumOntario Agricultural MuseumThe Country Heritage Park is located next to Highway 401 and the Niagara Escarpment in Milton, Ontario, Canada, and recreates rural life in the 19th century in Ontario...