V. Bridging the Urban/Agriculture Divide
The future of farming in B.C. will be strengthened through a greater awareness of its value to the urban population and new policies targeted to allow generations of farming families to operate viable and integrated farm-related businesses.
There was once a great distance between “the city” and “the country,” but increasing urban populations and sprawling suburban development have brought the city’s borders right up against the farm and past it. The differences in attitudes, lifestyle and priorities of the urban versus the rural, which is commonly referred to as the “urban/agriculture divide,” has become a big issue in agriculture.
The more the public is aware of the importance of agriculture to their own economic and physical health, the more understanding there will be of the needs of local farmers. The strategies being put forward through the Agriculture Plan will increase public awareness and knowledge of B.C.’s agricultural industry. Fostering and encouraging partnerships among stakeholders with divergent interests will also help to garner a broader appreciation for and understanding of agriculture. We will continue to support positive and creative partnerships throughout the agriculture and food sectors, particularly at the local and regional level.
Reconnecting Children with the Source of Their Food
Strategy 20: Increase awareness and interest in agriculture and food among
B.C. youth.
There was a time when most youth had some direct family connection to a farm. Even if they did not live on a farm, they often worked on a relative’s farm for the summer. In more recent times, the number of farm families has decreased and this link to farms and farming has been lost. Our goal is to bridge this divide by educating British Columbians about agriculture and the benefits of eating local foods. We will continue our support for Agriculture in the Classroom and for the 4-H Program and look at other initiatives such as expanding school gardens. These activities connect young people with the land, link urban and agricultural communities together and provide hands-on learning opportunities to the leaders of tomorrow.
Agricultural Land Reserve
Strategy 21: Preservation of agricultural land for future generations of farm and ranch families.
The urban/agriculture divide creates many issues, but first among them is how to use the land. We need our farms to continue to feed a growing population, particularly as more and more people see British Columbia’s many positive attributes and choose to make this province their home.
This government firmly believes that the preservation of agricultural land through the Agricultural Land Reserve serves a compelling public interest. We want to protect agricultural land, and particularly prime agricultural land. We also recognize the wide-ranging needs of farm and ranch families with respect to changing production requirements and the intergenerational transfer of farmland. We therefore commit to reviewing the provisions of the Agricultural Land Reserve to ensure it continues to meet our goals of preserving agricultural land over the long term.
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Agricultural Land Reserve in British Columbia. |
Resolving Farm Practices Complaints
Strategy 22: Implement strategies to minimize conflict between rural and
urban residents.
The Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act was enacted to protect a farmer’s right to farm in B.C., and sets out the means of resolving concerns and complaints about farm practices associated with dust, odour, noise or other disturbances. The processes in place are intended to resolve concerns in order to let farmers farm, keep people out of court, deal fairly with people’s concerns and complaints and deal with poor farm practices when they might occur.
While by far the majority of farm practices issues are resolved without entering into a formal complaint process, the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board does have a mandate to hear complaints from persons who feel aggrieved by nuisances arising from farms. We have strengthened the Act to ensure that provisions are in place for follow-up enforcement of complaint decisions. To help minimize disputes between landowners, we will also institute measures to provide for disclosure of information regarding farm practices when land is being purchased next to agricultural land.
Local Government Agricultural Planning
Strategy 23: Increase agriculture industry input at the local government level.
Decisions and actions of local governments can have a significant impact on farming operations. This includes development decisions, planning, bylaws and other municipal measures. To ensure that bylaws, rules and regulations of municipalities and regional governments support the Agriculture Vision, we will work closely with local governments to establish agriculture advisory committees that include industry representation.
Local governments will be strongly encouraged to prepare agricultural plans as part of their Official Community Plans which address urban/agriculture edge issues, transportation, infrastructure and other key topics. We will bring these agriculture advisory committees together regularly to share experiences and work towards common approaches.
By facilitating discussion and sharing opportunities and challenges, each region can continue to foster growth appropriate to their specific needs while at the same time learning from others with shared experiences in British Columbia.
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