Agricultural Area Plans

in British Columbia

- Process and Case Studies

Renewing Rural Economies

Agricultural Development

ForumFebruary 18, 2011

University of Guelph; Guelph, Ontario

Presented by: Jim LeMaistre, Land Use Planner

Sustainable Agriculture Management Branch

B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (AGRI)

A G E N D A

Strengthening Farming Program Overview

Agricultural Area Plans in B.C.

Overview of approach

Sample content

Implementation

Schedule and budget

3 case studies

Agricultural Land Reserve

Established in 1973, to preserve farm land for present & future agriculture

4.7 million ha (5%)

Includes soil classes 1 to 7

ALR is a provincial zone where agriculture is recognized as the priority

use.

Areas of Concentrated Population and

Agricultural Activity

Two areas of BC contain:

2.7% of BC land area

81% of BC population (2006)

80% of BC annual gross farm receipts (2005 $)

Strengthening Farming Program

Initiated in 1996 to draw agriculture more fully into local government planning to: Address conflicts in farming areas

Encourage policies and bylaws supportive of farming

Farm practices protection component Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act

Farm Industry Review Board

Planning for agriculture component Local Government Act

Land Title Act

Our Partnership Approach

Partnerships connect farmers, local

governments, and Provincial agencies

Local

Govt’s

Agri-Food

Industry

Agri-teams of ALC

and AGRI staff are

assigned to each

local government.

Find them at:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/r

esmgmt/sf/Contacts.htm#A

gri-Team_Members

Province

- AGRI

- ALC

- FIRB

Guide for Bylaw Development in Farming Areas

Ministerial standards development including edge planning, riparian

setbacks, agri-tourism, residential (Temporary Farm Worker Housing)

Agricultural Area Plan assistance and review

Agricultural Advisory Committee support & facilitation

Regular AAC meetings

Biennial AAC workshop(s)

Land Use Inventories & GIS support

Plan & Bylaw review

Agricultural awareness projects

Edge planning

Planning for Agriculture Work

Agricultural Area Plans

& Strategies

34 completed

since 1992

37 more under

way or being

considered

(February 2011)

Agricultural Area Plan- Purposes

Raise awareness of

agriculture

Build community support for

farming

Identify opportunities to

support and expand farming

Resolve limitations for

agriculture

Promote land use

compatibility – urban-rural

interface

A document for local government and farm business operators:

Provides policies and bylaws supportive of agriculture• Official Community Plan,

zoning

Can be a business development and marketing strategy for farmers• New products, training,

tours, Farm Fresh Guide

Agricultural Area Plan- General Contents

Agricultural Area Plan

Titles Vary, Reflect Purpose

Agriculture Plan

Agricultural Strategy

Agricultural Viability Strategy

Strategic Agricultural Plan

Rural Plan and Bylaw Review

Agricultural Policy Review and Development

The Future of Agriculture

Rural Plan

Rural Land Use Study

Area Farm PlanAgricultural Area Plan

Agriculture Strategy

Economic Strategy for Agriculture

Foodshed Analysis

Food System Plan

Agricultural Area Plan

Planning Area

Some OPTIONS Whole city

Overall policies

Key sub-regions Important issues to

be resolved early

Combination Chapter on common

issues & solutions

A chapter for each

sub-region

Agricultural Area Plan

Who could be involved?

Farmers

Individuals – e.g., by survey

Commodity groups

Agri-business & ag-related organizations

Processors, other value-added businesses

Community food action and health advocates

Residents in and near farm land

Business development groups

Local government

Agricultural Area Plan

General Process – local govt. leads

1. Steering or Advisory Committee

farmers, processors, community

2. Collect agricultural data

3. Identify issues for agriculture,

food

Survey, small groups, town hall

meetings

4. Draft policies and

recommendations with Committee

Public review and comments

5. Formal receipt – local govt., other

agencies

Agricultural Area Plan

Typical Report Stages

Background data and identified local issues

for agriculture

Census of Agriculture data

Land use inventory (Geographic Info System)

Opinions on issues gathered from farmers,

processors, and others

Action plan

Proposed resolution of identified issues

Plans, policies, bylaws to be amended

Farm business management support

Implementation group & program required

Agricultural Area Plan

Sample Results

Policies, maps, and bylaws to Preserve agricultural land

Minimize urban - farm conflicts

Support infrastructure for farming

Programs to promote Existing farms, crops

New products, value-added

Agri-tourism

Steps toward food sustainability New and expanded farm retail and

farmers markets

Residents’ and restaurants’

connections to local farm businesses

Someone to lead the actions An implementation committee or ag society

• Local government

• Farm, food, and community groups

• Economic and business development groups

Local government• Update bylaws and plans to support agriculture

• Infrastructure identified for farming

• Ongoing Agricultural Advisory Committee

• Agriculture awareness events, publications

Agricultural Support Officer on local staff• E.g., Regional District of Central Okanagan

Work Program

Annual Budget

Agricultural Area Plan

Implementation

Project Schedule

Can vary: 8 months to 2 years; inventory in year 1

Allow for timing of farm activities

• E.g., planting, harvest

Budget

Total costs can vary: $40,000 to $70,000

Cost sharing

•Local government – funds, in-kind (time, supplies)

•Producers – in-kind (time, tours)

•Support available

• Investment Agriculture Foundation - grants

• Ministry of Agriculture - in-kind: GIS, staff

Agricultural Area Plan

Schedule and Budget

Case Study

Comox Valley

Agri-food identified as a

key sector by economic

plan

Economic Development

Society took lead

Promotion:

Website

www.investcomoxvalley.com

Lure brochure

Regional TV ads

Producers’ testimonials

Growers Guide brochure, map

Permanent farmers’ market

Case Study

Regional District of Central Okanagan

Agricultural Support Officer

hired jointly by Regional

District & Economic

Development Commission Sector and 1-to-1 farmer support

Implement agriculture plan

Agriculture is a key sector in

economic strategic plan fruits, wine

Case Study

Cowichan Valley Regional District

Economic Development

Cowichan (EDC) saw value

of an agricultural area plan

and assisted in building

community support.

Implementation is being

coordinated by EDC in

consultation with an Agricultural

Advisory Committee.

In Summary

Planning for agriculture is expanding across B.C.

Local governments define and lead each process,

with agri-food sector involvement.

Most agriculture

plans have 2

general

directions: For governments

For farmers and

agri-food sector

Implementation

must have leader

and budget.

1 2 3 3 4 5 68 9 10

1315

1719 20 21

26

29

34

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Nu

mb

er

of

Pla

ns

Year Completed

Cumulative Number of Agricultural PlansSource: BC Ministry of Agriculture

Planning for Agriculture – on the

Strengthening Farming Website

www.al.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/sf/planag/index.htm

Jim LeMaistre

Land Use Planner

Jim.LeMaistre@gov.bc.ca

604- 556-3106