Ryder Lake's Farmers Institute whose first aim was "to improve conditions of Rural Life, so that settlement may be permanent and prosperous", and later "to promote social intercourse, mutual helpfulness and the diffusion of knowledge and to make new settlers welcome" was formed in 1941.
The Farmers Institute in East Chilliwack was incorporated on January 16, 1973, with a large membership of active farmers. This group has spearheaded many initiatives including bulk buying, drainage projects and other agriculturally related activities.
Group portrait of the Chilliwack Farmers Institute, taken in the Chilliwack