€¦ · delta agricultural plan . phase 2 report: issues and options . submitted to: the...

Delta Agricultural Plan

Phase 2 Report: Issues and Options

Submitted to:

The Corporation of Delta

4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent

Delta, BC V4K 3E2

Project Coordinator:

Ms. Lisa King, Planner

Submitted by:

Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Consulting

15787 Buena Vista Avenue White Rock, BC, V4B1Z9

604-535-7721 FAX 604-535-4421

[email protected] http://www.zbeetnoffagro-environmental.com

and

Quadra Planning Consultants Inc.

Coquitlam, BC [email protected]

June, 2011

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.zbeetnoffagro-environmental.com/

mailto:[email protected]

Phase 2: Issues and Options

i Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

Executive Summary Phase 2: Issues and Options represents the second of a three-phase process to develop an Agricultural Plan for Delta. The purpose of this Report is to articulate key issues identified in Phase 1 consultations, Workshop #1, and Workshop #2, and presents a range of options for responding to the issues. This report provides the material for formulation of draft Agricultural Plan policy and actions that will be presented at a forthcoming Public Open House for review and comments. A full range of potential candidate options are described for consideration in addressing issues and formulating recommendations in the Agricultural Plan. The Plan will include those options considered most feasible for the Delta situation, as discussed in Workshop #2 and with the Corporation of Delta’s Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) and staff.

1 Issues and Options

A large number of issues have been identified in the investigation and consultations. An array of options to address the issues has been articulated by workshop participants and this information has been supplemented by research on approaches in other jurisdictions. In developing the planning framework, the issues and options have been distilled into goals, objectives and action areas (see Executive Summary Table 1).

2 Draft Vision for Delta Agriculture

Based upon investigation and consultation, a vision of agriculture in Delta is proposed. The vision is a high level representation of the aspirations of agriculture in Delta into the future. To support the vision, desired outcomes are articulated to guide policy development that would promote agriculture’s position in the community. “Delta is a place where agriculture supports viable farms while contributing vitally to the community‘s ecological attributes and social and economic well-being “ Desired outcomes include:

The agricultural sector is highly productive, creating efficient production systems and significant value added activity, assisted by well functioning infrastructure

Local agriculture supplies and competes effectively in local and non-local markets

Agriculture’s ecological and social attributes are recognized by and cost-shared with the broader community

Farming is attractive and accessible, providing a successful alternative career for younger people and new entrants

Agriculture will have successfully adapted into the future by adopting new technology, embracing innovation, adjusting to climate change, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.


ii Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

3 Planning Goals for the Agricultural Sector

The Issues and Options investigation and analysis has identified key issues affecting Delta agriculture. These issues fall into four main categories and alleviation of their impacts is captured by the pursuit of four goals: Goal #1: To Promote the Viability of Farming in Delta Goal #2: To Improve Farmland Capability Goal #3: To Increase Agricultural Uses and Discourage Non-Agricultural Uses of Farmland Goal #4: To Appreciate Delta Agriculture as a Vital Component of Community Well-being

4 Key Objectives and Planning Action Areas

Key objectives have been formulated to actuate the goals. The last column of Executive Table 1 contains the categories of actions that would be anticipated to implement the objectives of the Agricultural Plan, mirroring the objectives. Essentially, the goals may be promoted through strategies to:

Improve the Economic Sustainability of Delta Agriculture o Local Processing Options o High Input Costs o Rural-Urban Interface o Appropriate New Technology o Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs.

Enhance Agricultural Resources o Drainage and Irrigation in the ALR o Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access.

Create Opportunities for Efficiency, Competitiveness, Diversification and New Entrants o Non-Farm Use in the ALR o Lease Access to Farmland o Smaller Scale Farmers and Diversification.

Increase Public Support for Agriculture o Public Awareness of Local Agriculture o Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts o Local Institutional Support for Agriculture.


iii Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

Executive Table 1: Planning Goals, Objectives, and Action Areas

Goals Objective Action Area

Goal #1: To Promote the Viability of Farming in Delta

Improve the Economic Sustainability of Delta Agriculture

Local Processing Options

High Input Costs

Rural-Urban Interface

Appropriate New Technology

Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs

Goal #2: To Improve Farmland Capability

Enhance Agricultural Resources Drainage and Irrigation in the ALR

Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access

Goal #3: To Increase Agricultural Uses and Discourage Non-Agricultural Uses of Farmland

Create Opportunities for Efficiency, Competitiveness, Diversification and New Entrants

Non-Farm Use in the ALR

Lease Access to Farmland

Smaller Scale Farmers and Diversification

Goal #4: To Appreciate Delta Agriculture as a Vital Component of Community Well-being

Increase Public Support for Agriculture

Public Awareness of Local Agriculture

Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts

Local Institutional Support for Agriculture

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, are pleased to participate in the production of this report. They are committed to working with their industry partners to address issues of importance to the agriculture and agri-food industry in British Columbia. Opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Investment Agriculture Foundation, the BC Ministry of Agriculture or Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.


iv Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ i

1 Issues and Options ............................................................................................................................. i

2 Vision for Delta Agriculture ................................................................................................................ i

3 Planning Goals for the Agricultural Sector ........................................................................................ ii

4 Key Objectives and Planning Action Areas........................................................................................ ii

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iv

List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ vi

Acronyms Used in the Report and Appendices .......................................................................................... vii

1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Planning Consultation Process ...................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Phase 1 Report: Delta Agriculture Profile ............................................................................. 1

1.1.2 Interviews .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1.3 Agricultural Stakeholder Workshop #1 ................................................................................. 1

1.1.3 Agricultural Stakeholder Workshop #2 ................................................................................. 1

1.2 Developing a Vision for Delta Agriculture ..................................................................................... 1

1.2.1 Agricultural Policies in Delta’s Official Community Plan ....................................................... 1

1.2.2 Understanding the Need for Farming Viability ..................................................................... 2

1.2.3 Goals of the Agricultural Plan ............................................................................................... 3

1.2.4 A Vision for Delta Agriculture ............................................................................................... 3

1.3 How to Use This Report ................................................................................................................ 4

2.0 Key Issues and Options ..................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Threatened Viability of Farming in Delta ...................................................................................... 5

2.1.1 Local Processing Options ...................................................................................................... 6

2.1.2 High Input Costs .................................................................................................................... 8

2.1.3 Managing the Rural-Urban Interface .................................................................................... 9

2.1.4 Appropriate New Technology ............................................................................................. 11

2.1.5 Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs ................................................................... 12

2.2 Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 14

2.2.1 Management of Drainage and Irrigation in the ALR ........................................................... 14

2.2.2 Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access .................................................................... 15

2.3 Declining Ability to Stimulate Farming ........................................................................................ 16

2.3.1 Non-Farm Use of the ALR .................................................................................................... 16

2.3.2 Lease Access to Farmland ................................................................................................... 18


v Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

2.3.3 Smaller Scale Farming and Diversification .......................................................................... 20

2.4 Limited Public Appreciation of Agriculture ................................................................................. 22

2.4.1 Public Awareness of Local Agriculture ................................................................................ 22

2.4.2 Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts ...................................................... 24

2.4.3 Institutional Support for Agriculture ................................................................................... 26

3.0 Next Steps ....................................................................................................................................... 29

Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 30

Appendix A: Delta Agricultural Policies in the Official Community Plan .................................................... 31

Acronyms Used in the Report and Appendices .......................................................................................... 33

Appendix B: Summary of Key Issues and Options ...................................................................................... 35


vi Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

List of Tables Executive Table 1: Planning Goals, Objectives, and Policy Action Areas ..................................................... iii Table 1: Goals, Key Issues, Objectives and Option Areas ............................................................................. 5


vii Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

Acronyms Used in the Report and Appendices AAC – Agricultural Advisory Committee

AAFC – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

ALC – Agricultural Land Commission

ARDCORP – Agricultural Research and Development Corporation

BCAA – BC Assessment Authority

BCAC – BC Agriculture Council

BCATA – BA Agri-Tourism Association

BCMA – BC Ministry of Agriculture

BMP – Beneficial Management Practice

CF – Community Futures BC

CFBMC – Canadian Farm Business Management Council

CRAFT – Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in Ontario

CWS – Canadian Wildlife Service

DAS – Delta Agricultural Society

DCC – Develop Cost Charges

Delta – Corporation of Delta

DCOC – Delta Chamber of Commerce

DDI – Delta Diking, Drainage and Irrigation Committee

DFO – Department of Fisheries and Oceans

EFP – Environmental Farm Plan

EW – Earthwise Society

FCC – Farm Credit Canada

FF/CF – Farm Folk/City Folk

FIRB – Farm Industry Relations Board

FVFDMA – Fraser Valley Farm Direct Marketing Association

FVREB – Fraser Valley Real Estate Board

FVRD – Fraser Valley Regional District

GHG – Greenhouse gases

IAF – Investment Agriculture Foundation, BC

KPU – Kwantlen Polytechnic University

MOED – Ministry of Education

MOEN – Ministry of Environment

MV – Metro Vancouver Regional District

NGO – Non-Government Agency

PIBC – Planning Institute of British Columbia

RCA – Revenue Canada Agency

REBGV – Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

SD – School District

SFCF – South Fraser Community Futures

SSFPA – Small Scale Food Processor Association

TFN – Tsawwassen First Nation

UBCM – Union of BC Municipalities

UBC - University of British Columbia


viii Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

UFV – University of the Fraser Valley

WWOOF – World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms


1 Zbeetnoff Agro-Environmental Quadra Planning

1.0 Introduction This Report is Phase 2: Issues and Options, representing the second of a three-phase process to develop an Agricultural Plan for Delta. The purpose of this Report is to articulate key issues identified in Phase 1 consultations, Workshop #1, and Workshop #2, and presents a range of options for responding to the issues. This report provides the material for formulation of draft Agricultural Plan policy and actions that will be presented at a forthcoming Public Open House for review and comments.

1.1 Planning Consultation Process

Various consultations and investigations have been conducted specifically to develop the context and content of the Agricultural Plan. These efforts have included the following undertakings.

1.1.1 Phase 1 Report: Delta Agriculture Profile The Delta Agriculture Profile was developed to provide baseline context for the Agricultural Plan, employing literature research, analysis of agricultural statistics and incorporating advice from the Agricultural Advisory Committee. The Profile also includes a scan of issues identified in the investigative phase and literature review.

1.1.2 Interviews Approximately 30 interviews were completed with knowledgeable persons familiar with the industry and/or in positions to influence agriculture, to discuss strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in local agriculture. Interviewees were primarily farm operators, but also included local organizations with interests in agricultural lands in Delta.

1.1.3 Agricultural Stakeholder Workshop #1 Workshop #1 was conducted with farm operators using the issues identified in the Profile and through interviews as a starting point. The purpose of Workshop #1 was to verify the priority and importance of issues as well as to identify new issues that may have been missed in the investigations to date.

1.1.3 Agricultural Stakeholder Workshop #2 Workshop #2 was conducted as the Issues and Options Report reached an Interim Stage. A broader range of agricultural stakeholders was invited to investigate a range of options to address Delta agricultural issues. Attendees included farm operators, farm organizations, and agencies with responsibilities affecting agriculture, agencies with responsibility for agriculture, and regional community interest groups.

1.2 Developing a Vision for Delta Agriculture

The proposed vision for Delta agriculture is based on the policy objectives of Delta’s Official Community Plan (OCP), consultations, and workshop findings.

1.2.1 Agricultural Policies in Delta’s Official Community Plan Delta’s OCP makes strong statements indicating that agriculture is significant to Delta. Agriculture is recognized as an important contributor to the economy, to the quality of life, and food sufficiency.



The OCP identifies the following issues affecting the farm community:

Long term viability of agriculture

Preservation of farmland for farming

Conflicts between urban and rural activities

Rising cost of farmland

Conversion of farmland to hobby-farm use

Interrelationship between farm fields and wildlife habitat The core objectives of the OCP’s policy approach to agriculture in Delta are:

Protect the agricultural land base

Minimize rural-urban conflict

Support economic diversification of farm operations

Ensure appropriate size and siting of farmhouses in agricultural areas

Balance the interests of agriculture, the protection of the environment and cooperative management of the Fraser River estuary

Recognize recreational uses that are compatible with agriculture

Plan strategically for agriculture To support these objectives, the OCP contains 31 policies1 intended to guide agriculture in its preferred direction. The range of policies across subject areas illustrates the increasing complexity of agricultural planning as Delta farmland faces increased pressure from the demands of a predominantly non-farming resident population. In addition, the OCP contains an objective to support the safe and efficient movement of commercial and agricultural vehicles in Delta. Other policies in support of agriculture include: 2.9.28 Need for an improved road network to support agriculture 2.10.8 Maintain and upgrade the irrigation system to assist with the long-term viability of the

agricultural community.

1.2.2 Understanding the Need for Farming Viability The breadth of agricultural land use concerns are understood and addressed within the various OCP policies. Pressures on farmland have for the most part been recognized and deflected by provisions that effectively protect the farmland base. Moreover, the general public strongly supports the concept of working agriculture in the midst of Delta, along with the environmental and social benefits that the management of natural resources by farming confers. Nonetheless, full understanding of the how agriculture contributes to the local and regional economy is often lacking. With the high costs and risks associated with farming, the financial buffer between success and failure is being squeezed. Objectives that support farming economic viability are at the core of maintaining the other systems that agriculture sustains. As such, viability needs to be clearly articulated and supported in agricultural policy, so that farmers will, over the long term, be able to provide the benefits that society desires.

1 These policies are in Section 2.5 of the Delta OCP and are presented in Appendix A.



Farming viability is the single most important ingredient in sustainable farming and has been found in numerous studies to be the most effective way of protecting farmland. The greatest benefits from agriculture are generated under conditions of productivity, efficiency and good land stewardship. Delta agriculture is a global leader in adopting sustainable practices to protect the environment. The business of farming provides significant societal benefits and ongoing farming viability ensures that systems that maintain these agro-environmental systems persist indefinitely.

1.2.3 Goals of the Agricultural Plan The purpose of the agricultural plan is to articulate a strategy for supporting agriculture in a manner that addresses a key goal: the long term economic viability of farming in Delta. The policies in the OCP, while formulating community objectives for agriculture, are not intended to provide the level of detail that would be included in an agricultural plan and do not fully articulate a set of goals for the agricultural plan. Goals are instrumental in providing a stable environment and expectations for agricultural investment and opportunity. At the same time, the goals need to reflect public expectations in terms of environmental and social contributions in order to garner support. Goal #1: To Promote the Viability of Farming in Delta This is the overarching goal of the agricultural plan, articulated in the OCP and verified in consultations. Without economic sustainability of farm operators, agriculture will not attract the interest or confidence required to support investment or renewal in the sector. Goal #2: To Improve Farmland Capability This goal adds to the OCP policies by articulating that enhancement of agricultural resources and maintaining farmland in productive use is equally important in protecting the land base. Working agriculture2 is the concept with the most long term opportunity for attaining community objectives for farmland and enhanced agricultural resources are vital to agricultural productivity and efficiency. Goal #3: To Increase Agricultural Uses and Discourage Non-Agricultural Uses of Farmland Agriculture is a business with global competition, changing markets, and new opportunities. Operators respond to these challenges with adoption of efficiency creating measures and technology, diversification, and discovery of new products and markets. Creating an environment that promotes adaptation and response, enables farmers to capture opportunities, and attracts new entrants and investments is most effective in blunting threats from non-farm land use. Goal #4: To Appreciate Delta Agriculture as a Vital Component of Community Well-being The agricultural sector needs to market itself to the public in order to receive the support it needs. This needed support covers the spectrum ranging from marketing, services and infrastructure, to enhancing conditions that allow agriculture to thrive.

1.2.4 A Vision for Delta Agriculture As part of the agricultural planning process, a “working”3 vision for agriculture in Delta in 2030 has been crafted. The statements below reflect comments received from a review of the vision at Workshop #2.

2 The term “working agriculture” is defined as agricultural activity carried out as a business with an expectation of profit. 3 “Working” indicates that there is opportunity for this vision to be further crafted as the Agricultural Plan is finalized.



Draft Vision “Delta is a place where agriculture supports viable farms while contributing vitally to the community‘s ecological attributes and social and economic well-being “ Desired outcomes include:

1. The agricultural sector is highly productive, creating efficient production systems and significant value added activity, assisted by well functioning infrastructure

2. Local agriculture supplies and competes effectively in local and non-local markets 3. Agriculture’s ecological and social attributes are recognized by and cost-shared with society 4. Farming is attractive and accessible, providing a successful alternative career for younger

people and new entrants 5. Agriculture will have successfully adapted into the future by adopting new technology,

embracing innovation, adjusting to climate change, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

1.3 How to Use This Report

Draft Phase 2 Report: Issues and Options builds upon the Profile and views of stakeholders who were interviewed and participated in the Workshops in the investigative phase. These respondents have articulated their concerns about agriculture and been asked to express their views on what issues must be addressed in Delta for agriculture to continue and grow as an economic engine in the community. They have also indicated where opportunities lie and what stands in the way of maximizing these opportunities. In Section 2.0, below, issues have been crafted from the responses of participants. The range of options presented is intended to address the agricultural issues in the context of the overarching strategic goal of ensuring the long term viability of farming in Delta. Each issue may be addressed in more than one way and the options are intended to reflect this potentiality. For example, some options to address a specific issue may suggest several types of action, e.g. regulatory, incentives, communication, investment, one or all of which may be feasible or desirable to pursue. Similarly, different options may require actions by different lead agencies. This report presents a full range of potential candidate options for consideration in addressing issues and formulating recommendations in the Agricultural Plan. The Plan will select those options considered most feasible for the Delta situation.



2.0 Key Issues and Options The Agriculture Plan is intended to support and promote the continued viability and enhancement of Delta’s agricultural economy. The policies and actions within the Plan will address key issues facing agriculture, which have been distilled from extensive consultation with the agricultural community. These key issues are detailed below (see Table 1 for quick reference) and have been organized into four objective areas along with policy and action options that respond to these issues. The issues, with corresponding potential options, are summarized in Appendix B: Summary of Key Issues and Options.

Table 1: Goals, Key Issues, Objectives and Option Areas

Goal Key Issue Key Objective Option Area

Goal #1: To Promote the Viability of Farming in Delta

Threatened Viability of Farming in Delta

Improve Economic Sustainability of Delta Agriculture

Local Processing Options

High Input Costs

Rural-Urban Interface

Appropriate New Technology

Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs

Goal #2: To Improve Farmland Capability

Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure

Enhance Agricultural Resource Use

Drainage and Irrigation

Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access

Goal #3: To Increase Agricultural Uses and Discourage Non-Agricultural Uses of Farmland

Declining Ability to Stimulate Farming

Create Opportunities for Efficiency, Competitiveness, Diversification and New Entrants

Non-Farm Use in the ALR

Lease Access to Farmland

Smaller Scale Farming and Diversification

Goal #4: To Appreciate Delta Agriculture as a Vital Component of Community Well-being

Limited Public Appreciation of Agriculture

Increase Public Support for Agriculture

Public Awareness of Local Agriculture

Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts

Local Institutional Support for Agriculture

2.1 Threatened Viability of Farming in Delta

Agricultural operations in Delta cover the spectrum of farming types, land uses and business models. Farming contributes substantially to the municipality’s economic activity and employment. Based on studies referenced by the Phase 1 Delta Agricultural Profile, local agricultural sectors tend to make a net



contribution to local government by consuming fewer services than they pay for.4 In the US, with similar farmland taxation policy, nearly every agricultural community studied has generated a fiscal surplus to help offset the shortfall created by residential demand for public services.5 As such, it is important to articulate that farmland generally does not receive an “unfair” tax break or that farmland resources need to be converted to other uses to ensure fiscal stability. The single most important concern of agricultural operators in Delta is the declining profitability of agriculture as a result of economic pressures being exerted on the sector. These pressures are affecting farming finances by reducing cropping options, threatening the competitiveness of Delta operations, and limiting the ability of farmers to respond to challenges.

2.1.1 Local Processing Options

The Situation Delta agriculture has developed a cropping rotation based on markets for fresh and processed horticultural products in rotation with forages and cereals. As a result of years of consolidation and merger in the industry, the number of processors of local agricultural crops in the region has been reduced to a remnant of its former numbers. None are located in Delta. Another processor closed its doors in Abbotsford in 2010, leaving only one field crop processor in the Lower Mainland. In regards to the regulatory context for food processing, food safety in food premises is regulated by the federal CFIA and the BC Ministry of Health Services. When located on farms, food premises are further regulated by the ALC (governing the source of product processed) and the BCAA (regarding eligibility for farm tax status). In addition, municipal bylaws may have specific requirements regarding servicing and operation of the facility. Significant changes in cropping patterns and rotations are being created by the loss of processing options.

The Issues The role of processing in agricultural food systems is critical to sustainability. Processing is the value-added activity needed to make beneficial use of cull produce, extend the season of supply, and to supply healthy food in a less perishable form. In Delta, with its dependence on field crops, loss of local processing has created the following issues:

Farmers are facing reduced cropping options

Cropping rotations are disrupted

Absence of a market for second quality produce

Alternative crops to fill the void have not been identified.

4 Also see BCMAL. 2005. Direct Financial Contribution of Farming Areas to Local Governments in British Columbia. http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/sf/publications/Direct_Financial_Contributions.pdf Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that there has been no similar study of Delta’s agricultural sector. 5 See American Farmland Trust. 2010. Cost of Community Services Studies: Fact Sheet. Farmland Information Center. http://www.farmland.org/documents/Cost-of-Community-Services-08-2010.pdf

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/sf/publications/Direct_Financial_Contributions.pdf

http://www.farmland.org/documents/Cost-of-Community-Services-08-2010.pdf



While there is potential for new agricultural processing orientated toward local production and markets, these opportunities are likely to be smaller scale and more market specialized than those of the processors that have left. New processing needs to be attracted to Delta and that is more likely to happen within a business development strategy that contemplates attracting and retaining these enterprises. On-farm processing and value-added is constrained by provincial regulations limiting use of the ALR and rules governing eligibility for farm status. Farmers need more flexibility to take advantage of these opportunities to sustain their farming enterprises, along with local government understanding and support of the factors necessary to favour business success.

Rationale for Action Dislocation of the field crop sector in Delta would have implications for the local economy, ecological and wildlife benefits, and the viability of individual farm operations. Regardless of potential shifts in cropping rotations, the farm sector would benefit from local processors providing markets for local produce. The need to encourage farm product processing and other value-added opportunities is recognized as an important way to increase economic viability. There may also be pressure to reduce subdivision size of farm parcels to accommodate more small scale farming and increased diversification in the wake of farming adjustments. Such developments could challenge Delta’s existing policy to maintain parcel size and support consolidation of agricultural parcels. The proportion of agricultural land being affected by changing marketing and cropping realties represents the majority of the farmland area, most of it operated in large commercial operations. Clearly, adaptation by this component of the agricultural sector should be supported by policies that understand the economic linkages between local production and processing options.6

Policy and Action Options There are several processing options that would assist farming businesses to be more viable in the City:

Develop an agricultural economic policy that promotes processing capacity as a component of agricultural viability in Delta

Attract processors of local crops by providing grants, financial incentives and serviced locations (e.g., waive development cost charges)

Investigate the feasibility of encouraging processing companies/cooperatives by establishing an agricultural enterprise zone using zoning and a revitalization tax exemption bylaw7

If an agri-industrial location is not available on municipal or industrial land, consider desirability and/or feasibility to allow agri-industrial in the ALR

6 See Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. 2004. Value-Added Agriculture in

Canada. http://www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/agri-e/rep-e/rep02dec04-e.pdf 7 See Ministry of Community Services (2008). Revitalization Tax Exemptions: A Primer on the Provisions of the Community Charter (Victoria: Ministry of Community Services) www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/docs/community_charter_revital_tax_exemptions.pdf and discussion in Curran, D. and Dr. T. Stobbe. 2010. Local Government Policy Options to Protect Agricultural Land and Improve the Viability of Farming in Metro Vancouver.

http://www.metrovancouver.org/planning/development/agriculture/AgricultureDocs/Local_Government_Policy_Options_to_Protect_Agricultural_Land.pdf

http://www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/agri-e/rep-e/rep02dec04-e.pdf

http://www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/docs/community_charter_revital_tax_exemptions.pdf





Encourage and facilitate local on-farm processing opportunities with on-farm regulatory processes and requirements that encourage diversification

Lobby for the incorporation of on-farm value-added as eligible farm income for farm tax assessment purposes

Support marketing initiatives focusing on the quality and freshness of frozen and preserved foods, in support of local production

Engage the BC Food Processors Association and/or the Small Scale Food Processors Association to generate interest in value-added opportunities

Develop an agricultural economic development position focused on promoting on-farm processing, locating funding opportunities, and developing a processing vegetable fund

Encourage area specific research and development, crop and processing trials in support of local agriculture

Attract new crops and processes with economic potential in Delta.

2.1.2 High Input Costs

The Situation The agricultural sector exports the bulk of its products out of the municipality and, in the case of greenhouse vegetables and berries, out of the country. Delta farmers are price takers in terms of the values at which they can sell their produce. Successful business requires competing with global suppliers in global markets or competing with global exporters in domestic and local markets. Delta’s existing and prospective farmers, by virtue of their proximity to a large urban population, face intense competition for land and among the highest farmland costs in the Lower Mainland. Even with tax reduction provided by reduced property tax for farmland with farm status, farmers are carrying tax loads on farm structures that can be significant. Some local governments in the US8 have created farmstead property provisions to exclude from municipal taxation buildings and structures used primarily for agricultural purposes. The municipal tax rate on Delta farm property is higher than some municipalities in Metro Vancouver.9 However, municipalities have different ways of distributing taxes and it is observed that Delta has a farm irrigation levy that is a flat per parcel fee and may have a greater need for agricultural servicing. In July 2010, the provincial carbon tax on energy came into effect. The tax places a price on greenhouse gas emissions generated by combusting fossil fuels and is intended to provide an inventive to reduce emissions. Carbon taxes are the same throughout the province. The carbon tax rates apply to various fuel types at current rates of $04.45 per litre for gasoline, $0.0511 per litre for diesel and $0.0308 for natural gas.10 In 2011, a provincial farm land tax credit is now available that reduces the school tax for farm properties with farm tax status to 50% of the school tax payable previously.

8 For example, Pennsylvania excludes farm improvements from taxation, provided that the farm operator owns and lives on the farm. See http://www.co.lawrence.pa.us/assessor/Act1Information.html 9 See Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Local Government Statistics. http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/tax_rates/tax_rates2010.htm 10 See BC Ministry of finance. 2011. Tax Rates on Fuels: Motor Fuel Tax Act and Carbon Tax Act. http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/bulletins/mft-ct_005.pdf

http://www.co.lawrence.pa.us/assessor/Act1Information.html

http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/tax_rates/tax_rates2010.htm

http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_library/bulletins/mft-ct_005.pdf



Farmers have indicated that agricultural water is more expensive in Delta than elsewhere in the province or in some areas in the US.

The Issues The main cost implications facing Delta farmers include:

High land and building values are increasing fixed costs of farming

Relatively high rates for municipal water are increasing operating costs for Delta greenhouse vegetable growers, reducing competitive position in export markets and increasing challenges from imports in domestic markets

Delta farmers perceive themselves to be at a financial disadvantage within the region

Impact of the provincial carbon tax on increasing farm operating costs related to gasoline, diesel, and natural gas use and reducing competitiveness

Buildings and structures used for farming are being classified by BC Assessment at residential rates and not agricultural rates, which results in higher tax costs to farmers.

Rationale for Action Higher costs of production due to higher fixed and variable costs threaten viability. Since agriculture is valued in Delta, there is a strong argument for pursuing strategies that will retain its competitiveness.

Policy and Action Options Delta farmers should be competitive with producers in neighbouring municipalities. More importantly, the unique forces creating higher costs in BC relative to other areas of production need to be offset if the sector is to have long term expectation of viability. Options include:

Lobby the province to investigate farmstead provisions that would tax agricultural buildings and improvements of bona fide11 farmers at a lower agricultural rate or provide a tax exemption

Lobby the Metro Vancouver to provide bulk water rates for agriculture, eliminate the mark-up on agricultural water, or otherwise reduce the cost of municipal water to farmers

Seek provincial relief from carbon taxes on agriculture and seek credit for soil-based farms practising stewardship that sequesters carbon

Investigate the feasibility of attracting agricultural land trusts to purchase farmland that can be leased for long terms in order to facilitate farming in Delta

Establish a minimum lease term of 10 to 20 years on Delta-owned farmland

Encourage buying groups among farmers to share costs of inputs (fertilizer, feed, other inputs)

Lobby DFO to reduce setbacks next to drainage ditches and request compensation for lost production in setback areas

Develop a better framework for addressing loss of land base due to transportation projects, land claims, riparian setbacks and wildlife predation

Investigate the feasibilities of alternative fuel technologies (e.g., cogeneration) to lower farm costs.

2.1.3 Managing the Rural-Urban Interface The public policy challenge at the local level is to minimize negative interactions and create the conditions for long term and mutually beneficial coexistence between farms and urban neighbours.

11 While there is no currently definition of “bona fide farming”, a bona fide farmer would be a farm operator who uses farmland to produce agricultural products with the expectation of profit.



The Situation In general, Delta has a comprehensive set of processes and protocols for regulating the rural-urban interface. Nevertheless, rural activities are under constant scrutiny of the non-farming public (e.g., hunting, spraying, operating farm equipment at night). The rural urban fringe can be a source of land use conflicts.

The Issues The main rural-urban interface issues consist of:

Unsubstantiated claims regarding farm activities and practices

Farmers facing unwarranted conflicts with non-farming residents on the fringe and within the ALR

Management of recreational conflicts

Concerns that dust, odours, chemicals, and other irritants from conventional agricultural practices will drift onto neighbouring properties

Damages and impacts to farm property associated with higher population density.

Rationale for Action Protecting agriculture in the rural-urban interface is critical to creating conditions allowing for efficient farming practices. An on-going concern for the agricultural community is that responses to rural/urban conflicts will result in zones of agricultural inactivity in contentious areas.

Policy and Action Options Successful management is characterized by avoiding the clash of incompatible land uses and enhancing the compatibility of coexisting land uses.12 The most promising policy approach lies in making the planning policies and land use practices of local governments and private developers more sensitive to farm activity.13 Options include:

Implement BCMA edge planning guidelines for land use planning adjacent to the ALR, as per OCP policy

Investigate the feasibility of requiring agricultural covenants on rural-urban edge properties14

Investigate opportunities to notify/disclose on property transactions adjacent to agricultural lands that purchasers may expect normal farm practices

Provide more education to the non-farming public on agricultural activities and practices

Develop an “agriculture-first” policy toward regulating activities in the ALR, e.g., non-agricultural residential , public responsibilities of farmland ownership, trespass, limitations on agricultural practices

Periodically review noise and hunting bylaws to ensure they are not constraining farming

Review and maintain signage and education material for dike walkers and other recreational users so that it is communicated that they are in an agricultural zone and that agricultural activities are acceptable

12 Smith, B. 1998. Planning for agriculture. BC Provincial Land Commission. http://www.landcommission.gov.bc.ca/publications/planning/Planning_for_Agriculture/index.htm 13 Sokolow, AD. 2000. Agriculture in urbanizing communities. Presentation to USDA Policy Advisory Committee on Farmland. http://aic.ucdavis.edu/research1/USDA%20ls%207-21-00.pdf 14 In the City of Surrey, for example, at time of development Restrictive Covenants are registered on lots adjacent to the agricultural designation to ensure that landscape buffers are completed and maintained. City of Surrey. Residential Buffering Adjacent to the ALR/Agricultural Boundary. http://www.surrey.ca/files/O23.pdf

http://www.landcommission.gov.bc.ca/publications/planning/Planning_for_Agriculture/index.htm

http://aic.ucdavis.edu/research1/USDA%20ls%207-21-00.pdf

http://www.surrey.ca/files/O23.pdf



Better locate waste transfer stations in the municipality to reduce waste dumping into ditches and onto rural roads

Enforce parking regulations on farm roads (e.g., 88th Street)

Enforce littering laws on trails adjacent to farmland (and provide better signage)

Enforce traffic laws, especially speeding on rural roads.

2.1.4 Appropriate New Technology Farmer’s are seeking more flexibility to pursue intensive farming and the use of technology as ways of adapting to changing economic circumstances and climate change. Intensification and technology both offer opportunities to increase on-farm returns and decrease the economic risks associated with farming. With rising land values, input costs and environmental taxes, the public can expect to see a greater need in the agricultural sector to intensify agricultural operations and adopt new technologies to maintain viability, on both large and small scale farms.

The Situation Agriculture in Delta is influenced by a number of stakeholders with competing visions on how farmland should be used. Traditional farming methods and practices have been supplanted by more intensive systems and the adoption of technology to increase productivity, reduce costs and handle waste products. Most recently, opportunities to utilize waste to create energy and energy generation from wind and sun have raised questions about the appropriate use of farmland. While farmers are continuously looking for new ways to improve efficiency, the impact of changes, real and perceived, are also experienced by non-farming residents of the community. For example, greenhouse operations in Delta have been confronted with arguments against the use of biofuels, night lighting and extensive glassed areas. While the sector has taken a lull in growth, it is uncertain how further expansion will be received in the municipality. Similarly, livestock operations are becoming more intensive and operators are looking for ways to add value on the farm through conversion of waste materials to energy, compost production, and energy production for sale.

The Issues Energy generation and waste management are likely to be the two main areas of technology adoption in the near future. The main emerging issues are:

Ensuring that farmers are aware of opportunities to improve the economic viability of their operations

The need to review and consider the appropriateness of the various technologies that farmers may be considering now or in the future (e.g. windmills, solar)

Impact of technology projects on farmland protection and environmental values

Impact on community aesthetic values

Policies relating to sales of non-farm products (e.g., electricity, biogas) may be outdated or discourage innovations that would benefit farms

On-farm intensification may affect adjacent farms

Need to consider technology to respond to impacts of climate change.

Rationale for Action Farm operators need to intensify operations and adopt technology innovations to stay competitive. The need for guidance in this area is essential.



Policy and Action Options The acceptability of certain types of technology adoption may have to consider community objectives in addition to agricultural viability. Options include:

Develop policy in support of farmers adopting technological solutions, where appropriate, that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint

Encourage the ALC to review policies on waste management for the purposes of improving economical options for farmers

Pursue research to develop technological solutions to agricultural waste and emissions management

Explore the use of technological solutions on farms (e.g., cogen) that are capable of addressing business risks, pollution-reducing, efficiency-creating and increase opportunities for agriculture.

2.1.5 Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs There is a spectrum of federal, provincial, regional and municipal regulation governing agricultural uses. In many cases, the requirements affecting the multiple land uses conducted by farmers are scattered in legislation, various bylaws, zoning regulations and guidelines with provisions and definitions governing farm retail and advertising signage, health and fire codes, agri-tourism, labour and housing, permits for assembly, farm stands, directional signage, and setbacks.

The Situation Farmers have indicated that keeping up to date on regulations governing farm retail and advertising signage, health and fire codes, agri-tourism, labour and housing, permits for assembly, farm stands, directional signage, and setbacks can be challenging. Municipal approval processes for farm-related activities can be complex. Federal and provincial agencies (administrative tribunals) are making decisions about the use of the ALR without knowledge of the impacts on farming activities or operations. Agriculture is also expected to face increasing challenges to farming operations under the Farm Practices Protection Act. Adjacent land owners are often not accepting the activities and practices of working farms next door.

The Issues Overall, Delta has a good working relationship with the agricultural sector with respect to regulatory processes. Bottlenecks have been worked out of the process over time, specifically with regard to the regulatory requirements relating to on-farm agri-tourism initiatives Nonetheless, municipal approval processes for farm-related activities can be complex, daunting and frustrating for farmers. Concerns include:

Approval processes can be lengthy and costly

Some regulatory requirements relating to farm structures are considered onerous and could be better explained to the agricultural sector

Communication with the agricultural sector could be improved. Agencies dealing in the environmental arena have advised local governments to be excessively cautious in regulating farming activity adjacent to, or in proximity of, environmentally sensitive zones (in particular waterways). In some cases, setbacks or restrictions on land use can threaten or defeat the viability of ALR parcels for agriculture in various respects:



Curtailing the ability of farmers to maintain farmland improvements (e.g., DFO drainage and irrigation channel maintenance protocols) threatens farming

Administrative decisions (e.g., FIRB) have potential to limit current farming activity and effectively “sterilize” parcels in the ALR for future agricultural production.

Environmental regulations are continuously affecting farming operations, often without agricultural input.

Rationale for Action While agriculture contributes significantly to the local economy, job creation, tax base, natural resource protection and quality of life, the sector is often regulated in ways that limit the full potential of working farms. It is incumbent on Delta to streamline its regulatory system if it is to promote agricultural viability along with public health, safety and welfare. The agricultural sector needs Delta to take an active role, dealing with regulatory agencies as a proponent of local agriculture. Delta’s participation is important to ensure that the ability to use its agricultural assets is maintained and enhanced.

Policy and Action Options The desired focus is to make the regulatory system more responsive to the needs of the agricultural sector while meeting the objectives of the regulator. Options to improve this system include:

Increase agricultural understanding in City Hall (e.g., through agriculturally qualified staff person (e.g., P. Ag.), information sessions, tours and dialogue)

Use pre-application meetings and improve/expand checklists to assist farmers with the regulatory process and to increase farmer knowledge of zoning

Investigate opportunities to streamline the regulatory process to avoid the costs of regenerating information required for building permits that does not vary by location in Delta

Develop and adopt a comprehensive Provincial definition of agriculture that reflects the diversity of operations on farms, the necessary conditions for their conduct, and the services needed for the associated land uses

Work with the farming community to consider and adjust requirements in relation to the size, scope, seasonality and overall impact of the proposed agricultural uses in relation to the cost, impact on agricultural income, purpose, and necessity

Develop ”agriculture-friendly” protocols for ditch and dike maintenance that protect the environment and are timely, reasonable and feasible from an agricultural perspective

Encourage environmental farm planning and the adoption of beneficial management practices as a way to reduce environmental risks on farms and reduce regulatory compliance costs

Investigate options to recognize Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) implementation in municipal regulatory criteria and fee structure

Provide municipal incentives to implement specific beneficial management practices (BMPs) on Delta farmland.

Strengthen existing rules pertaining to permitted farmland uses and farm status

Advocate on behalf of agriculture in respect of Farm Industry Relations Board rulings to reduce instances where administrative decisions work to weaken agriculture

Develop a forum for regular discussions with Council and the farming community (e.g., the AAC) to ensure that the regulatory environment makes sense for agriculture

Track permitted soil and fill placement in the ALR and ensure movement has a predetermined destination and established beneficial purpose



Better enforce soil removal and deposit provisions to prevent illegal dumping of wastes on farmland

Use the AAC to inform Delta about non-farm use in the ALR.

2.2 Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure

The agricultural resource base consists of the natural resources and improvements that allow agriculture to function efficiently and provide the tools to manage production risk on the farm, respectively. Farmers are keen to make on-farm improvements but without, corresponding regional infrastructure, such changes are only marginally effective.

2.2.1 Management of Drainage and Irrigation in the ALR

The Situation Delta’s agricultural area is about 1.5 m above mean tide elevation and protected from the Pacific Ocean and the Fraser River by dikes and sea walls. As such, farming is critically dependent on ditches and pumping to provide drainage during high rainfall months. The growing season is characterized by sunny and dry conditions requiring water for irrigation. Ditches often serve dual purposes as drainage ditches and irrigation canals. Improvements in agricultural irrigation works are being constructed as compensation to agriculture in association with the provincial Gateway project. The farming community is anticipating improved water quality from a new intake on the Fraser River as well as increased supply of irrigation water to some areas. Drainage ditches are used in combination with irrigation to leach salinity out of soils, thereby improving agricultural productivity. While some operations supplement their water needs with rainwater, the greenhouse sector relies predominantly on municipal water for its irrigation needs.

The Issues Notwithstanding the benefits anticipated with improvements to irrigation infrastructure, significant areas of Delta (e.g., Westham Island) continue to be undersupplied with agricultural irrigation water while other areas are limited by drainage. Concerns expressed by farmers include the following:

As the Gateway project has faced cost escalation, there is concern among the farming sector that irrigation improvements may not be delivered to the extent promised

Cost of operating the improved irrigation project is not part of the compensation

Westham Island’s irrigation infrastructure does not meet irrigation demand and other pockets of farmland are challenged by water salinity. Irrigation water is needed in agricultural areas of South Delta

Salinity concerns need to be addressed through improved drainage and irrigation

Quality of storm water from industrial areas (e.g., Tilbury, the proposed TFN industrial lands) that is entering and will be entering agricultural ditches may not be suitable for irrigation

Concerns about the potential presence of coliforms, agricultural waste, and garbage in ditches raise questions about water quality and food safety.

Rationale for Action It is vital that the productivity of Delta’s agricultural resources be maintained and enhanced to eliminate capacity as a constraint to competitiveness in the marketplace. In the face of rising costs and narrowing margins, productivity cannot be a risk or an uncertainty if the agricultural sector is to have long term



viability. Moreover, on-farm drainage and irrigation improvements are not effective without regional infrastructure.

Policy and Action Options Provision of well-functioning water supply (municipal and surface water) and drainage infrastructure is a critical condition for ensuring the continued viability of agricultural production. Options include:

Ensure that promised irrigation works are constructed for all areas of Delta

Provide agricultural servicing in the ALR at preferential rates (e.g. bulk regional agricultural rates and/or lower municipal delivery rates)

Lobby the province to contribute to irrigation infrastructure improvements to service Westham Island

Lobby the federal government to re-instate a National Water Supply Expansion Program15 to fund irrigation water supply infrastructure

Update irrigation/drainage information to identify other areas where water-related factors continue to be a production constraint and determine the type of works that would improve agricultural productivity

Upgrade existing drainage systems to keep commercial and industrial storm water separate from agricultural irrigation systems

Monitor water quality in ditches and address potential contaminants issues

Improve and extend the supply of municipal water in agricultural areas

Improve and extend the supply of irrigation water to agricultural areas, such as southeast Delta and Westham Island

Develop a comprehensive agricultural drainage plan and servicing strategy.

2.2.2 Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access

The Situation The amount of non-farm related traffic through farmland has increased significantly as the population and urban areas of Delta and surrounding communities have grown. Traffic congestion makes agricultural movement challenging, particularly where commuters are taking back roads through the ALR. Truck traffic is restricted on most rural roads, unless it is a local delivery and the shortest route is taken. Farm trucks may have to take circuitous routes to non-contiguous farm properties.

The Issues The main issues relate to how corridors between farms need to be managed with agricultural access in mind:

Some Delta farmland is inaccessible to conventional agricultural machinery and equipment; other parcels are extremely difficult to access

Illegal parking by persons accessing the dike

Access to dikes and back roads by agricultural operators is limited by narrow gates

Road safety for agricultural vehicles is a concern on many routes

Speed humps cause damage to transported produce.

15 The NWSEP was a federal initiative under the Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) that expired in 2009 and has not been replaced. The goal of the program was to provide technical and financial assistance to Canadian producers to help develop, protect and enhance long-term agricultural water supplies.



Rationale for Action Well planned rural transportation corridors in agricultural areas are critical to ensuring that non-rural traffic is channelled away from zones used by agriculture. Transportation systems need to be capable of meeting agricultural requirements for access in a safe and timely fashion.

Policy and Action Options Provision of well-functioning transportation infrastructure is a necessary condition for ensuring the continued viability of agricultural operations. Options include:

Develop a Delta agricultural transportation plan and strategy, taking into account the spill over effect of commuters and urban growth on rural traffic

Address specific agricultural transportation routes affected by the Deltaport and Gateway projects, including need for agricultural truck overpasses

Differentiate between agricultural truck traffic and general truck traffic on rural roads (review Highways Bylaw) and ensure enforcement

Designate certain rural roads as agricultural or open to local traffic only

Lobby for upgrading of the Westham Island Bridge to accommodate increased traffic and larger implements

Pursue federal and provincial funding for improvement projects in support of agricultural transportation

Develop a truck marshalling area at Deltaport to reduce traffic congestion affecting farming operations.

2.3 Declining Ability to Stimulate Farming

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a zone created by provincial legislation in which agriculture is recognized as the priority use, where farming is encouraged and non-agricultural uses are controlled.16 Permitted activities in the ALR span the range from soil-based to non-soil-based activities. Permitted uses cover a spectrum ranging from making use of the productivity of the land, to using agricultural land for its amenities such as ecological reserves, parks, protected areas, wildlife management areas and recreation reserves established under provincial legislation.

2.3.1 Non-Farm Use of the ALR

The Situation Agriculture competes for farmland with various non-farm uses looking for acreage, pastoral setting, profit on speculation, and spaces to carry on non-farming activities. ALR farmland is highly attractive for rural residential purposes and there is a market for storage of trucks, equipment, and recreational vehicles on farmland. Recently, 207 ha of agricultural land have been transferred out of the ALR to the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) to meet treaty obligations. In addition, other lands may be purchased as part of the treaty settlement in the future. The potential for projects to have spill-over impacts onto agriculture due to the loss of finite resources is recognized in many jurisdictions. In the neighbouring municipality of Surrey, for example, land exclusion

16 Agricultural Land Commission. http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alr/alr_main.htm

http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alr/alr_main.htm



policy17 requires that compensation will include the inclusion of other land into the ALR with an area that is at least twice as large as the area of land being excluded, or as only as low as a 1 to 1 ratio if the 2 to 1 ratio is not achievable and supplemented with other means to mitigate the impact of exclusion.

The Issues These intrusions into farmland fragment land use, create demand for more rural services, and introduce heterogeneity in areas that are reserved for farming. Specific issues include:

Fragmentation of the use of the farmland base

Under-utilization of farmland

Harassment of farming activities

Activities on farmland not related to farming

Potential environmental risks, relating to the use of farmland for storage of non-agricultural goods, vehicles and materials

Reducing use of farmland for farming

Abuse of ALC regulation and intent of the ALR

Lands acquired by the TFN may not be accessible for farming or to area farmers in the future

Existing deterrents are not sufficient to keep projects off farmland or to curtail speculation anticipating future farmland conversions

Projects proceeding on farmland do not compensate farming in general.

Rationale for Action Encroachment of rural-residential and other non-farm uses into the ALR provides few if any benefits for agriculture and creates substantial impacts. However, there are no restrictions on who may own farmland nor whether it be employed in agricultural use. There is a need to revisit farmland use in order to reduce abuse, clarify intended purpose, and support appropriate activities. Of key importance, projects taking farmland create economic impacts on the remaining farming sector because of the finite supply of land and agricultural resources in Delta.

Policy and Action Options Policy should be directed at discouraging non-farm use of the ALR through a combination of actions including communication, disincentive and enforcement. Options to reduce the impact of non-farming land use include:

Develop a mechanism to require mitigation, enhancement, and compensation for public infrastructure works, to be contributed by projects and organizations for taking farmland and to be used in support of agriculture

Develop taxing, “value-capture” and other financial mechanisms to intercept profits from farmland speculation and deter development on farmland, with the proceeds used to compensate agriculture

Improve enforcement of regulations in farming areas including soil filling, storage, waste dumping, and maintenance of agricultural properties, engaging the AAC to assist in spotting violations and problem areas

Lobby the province for the development of a definition of bona fide agriculture18 that promotes the sector

17 City of Surrey. Policy for considering applications for exclusion of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve. No. O-51. http://www.surrey.ca/files/O51.pdf




Lobby the province to enact legislation against rural residential dwellings being built in the ALR, unless it is specifically for a farmland owner engaged in bona fide agriculture

Investigate the feasibility of requiring threshold agricultural income tests before allowing new residences to be built on farmland

Continue to limit the size of residences in the ALR and investigate the feasibility of regulating the footprint and siting of buildings and access to conserve farmland for agricultural production19

Request that real estate vendors inform prospective non-farming purchasers of farming activities in the ALR

Educate new rural-residential property owners to accept normal impacts associated with adjacent agricultural operations

Conduct an awareness campaign to inform non-agricultural property owners of their responsibilities in the agricultural area

Require disclosure of agricultural practices to prospective builders at the time the building permit is issued

Work with the Metro Vancouver AAC to implement the Regional Food System Strategy

Collaborate with the TFN to encourage agriculture and promote development supportive of farming

Collaborate to develop a parking policy in the ALR respecting non-agricultural vehicles and provide for enforcement of that policy

Investigate the feasibility of providing alternatives for storage and parking in the municipality, directing it away from the ALR

Where exclusion of ALR is unavoidable, consider requirements for inclusion of land of equal or greater size elsewhere in the municipality with soil capability ratings equal to or exceeding that of the improvable soil capability rating of the site proposed for exclusion.20

2.3.2 Lease Access to Farmland Leasing farmland from non-farming landowners is one of the more affordable ways to obtain access to land in high real estate value regions, of which Delta is one. A high proportion of Delta’s commercial farming is conducted on rented land (approximately 50% of the farmland base). Leases on farmland are also attractive to new farmers who may not be in a position to tie up large amounts of capital in land assets.

18 One definition of bona fide agriculture (e.g., in PEI) may be farming activity that is engaged in with the expectation of profit and where the operator earns at least 25% of their gross annual income from the sale of farm products and spends at least 25% of their time engaged in working on the farm. 19 Delta went through an extensive process to develop its footprint and siting bylaw. The BCMA, stemming out of a request by Metro Vancouver, is currently consulting with municipalities and regional districts to investigate ways of controlling the impact of farm houses and residential footprint sizes and locations on farmland in the ALR. See Metro Vancouver. 2011. Agriculture Committee Special Meeting. Apr. 07. http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/Agriculture%20Committee/Agriculture-April_7_2011-Agenda-Special.pdf Also see, for example, City of Surrey. Corporate Report on Proposed Amendments to Surrey Zoning Bylaw 1993, No. 12000 Related to Regulating the Size and Location of Buildings on Farm Lots. Policy Review. 20 For example, Surrey has developed such a policy. City of Surrey. Policy for Considering Applications for Exclusion of Land from the Agricultural Land Reserve. http://www.surrey.ca/files/O51.pdf

http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/Agriculture%20Committee/Agriculture-April_7_2011-Agenda-Special.pdf

http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/Agriculture%20Committee/Agriculture-April_7_2011-Agenda-Special.pdf




The Situation It is the ad-hoc relationship between farmers looking for more land base, individuals wanting to start farming, and access to non-farming owners of farmland that leads to inefficiencies in the productive use of farmland. It is also not unusual for leased farmland to be maintained in less than improved capability because farmers on short leases are discouraged from making improvements to the land

The Issues Farmland is not being made available for farming for a variety of reasons including:

Owner preference

Lack of knowledge of demand for leasing possibilities

Non-farming property owners restricting land lease to low intensity agriculture uses

Farm tax status is not a sufficient inducement to the property owner to allow farming

Non-farmers may be more interested in farm tax status than in facilitating agriculture.

Rationale for Action Enabling access to farmland by willing farmers under terms that facilitate productive use is a key factor in increasing the agricultural use of farmland. Demand for farmland for non-farming purposes has contributed to price competition for farmland, creating conditions where the market price often exceeds the value of the farmland based on its agricultural productivity. This circumstance makes it more difficult for established farmers to expand and restricts entry of new aspiring farmers. Short term leases also discourage farmers in making investments in improvements on the leased land.

Policy and Action Options The objective is to ensure that the maximum amount of farmland is in its most productive use regardless of ownership. Non-farming property owners should be encouraged, by “carrot” and “stick”, to either farm their land or make their land available to those that will. Options include:

Lobby the province to stipulate conditions to encourage non-farm property owners to make their land available for farming activities, e.g., by requiring landlords to enter into longer term leases with tenants to acquire farm tax status

Lobby the province to create incentives to landowners to make their land available for long term leases

Increase the servicing cost to land owners of not facilitating farming activity, possibly by charging non-farmers more for rural services or providing lower servicing rates to bona fide farmers

Create a website or farmland clearinghouse for linking a database of potential tenants to a database of potential landlords

Partner with Community Futures21 and other organizations to provide farmer training and support for young farmers and new entrants

Make municipal and Crown land available for farming under lease to young farmers and new entrants

Consider the feasibility of attracting agricultural land trusts to acquire land in Delta and make it available for agriculture.

21 The Community Futures Network, established in 1986, is a federal program that supports local rural economic opportunities in Canadian communities. In BC, the program offers support to entrepreneurs and facilitates community approaches to economic development. http://www.communityfutures.ca/index.html

http://www.communityfutures.ca/index.html



2.3.3 Smaller Scale Farming and Diversification Demand for locally produced food has created marketing opportunities for farming enterprises and alternative production systems. Small scale farmers are finding niche opportunities targeting local produce and processing markets. While agritourism opportunities are arising, there is no roadmap on how to develop the business or on what should be encouraged on farmland.

The Situation Innovative farmers entering the local fresh food market may be generally characterized as smaller scale, highly entrepreneurial, risk takers and may not be highly skilled in agricultural production techniques per se. Their greatest challenges tend to be finding start up and expansion capital, access to land, and acquiring production skills. Various groups in other jurisdictions have taken different approaches to make land accessible for agricultural pursuit:

On Vancouver Island, Woodwynn Farms22 has been purchased by a philanthropist to pursue community causes, using agricultural activity as the vehicle.

A land trust (The Land Conservancy and its Farmland Preservation Program)23 has mobilized resources to purchase agricultural land in the area to promote agricultural education and to make acreage available under lease to new farmers.

Glenn Valley Organic Farm Cooperative in Abbotsford, BC24, uses a community supported model, with customers buying shares of the produce prior to the growing season

InterVale Center, Burlington, Vermont25, a volunteer non-profit organization based on multi-farm community supported agriculture and various approaches toward mentorship and business incubation

Abbotsford, BC, a consortium of community organizations26 is spearheading a farmer incubator project to create opportunities, supports and resources to potential farmers.27

Ontario C.R.A.F.T program28, a Farm Business Management Council29 initiative to assist young farmers and promote farming through mentoring and internships.

The Issues Issues related to promoting and supporting small scale farming and diversification include:

Accessing start up loans and expansion capital

Difficulty in finding land to operate on and/or prohibitive land costs

Low level of business skills of some new operators

Limited opportunities to acquire production skills

22 See http://woodwynnfarms.org/project/woodwynn-farm 23 See http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/agriculture/programs/ 24 See http://glenvalleyorganicfarmcoop.org/coop/ 25 See http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/food_hub.shtml 26 These organizations include the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm and Country Market, Agricultural Development Society, BC Farm and Ranch, BC Healthy Living Alliance, BCMAL, the City, Community Futures, Farm Credit Canada, Fraser Health Authority and MCC Employment and Community Development. 27 See Abbotsford Food and Agriculture Connection Table. 2010. Supporting New Small Scale Farmers in Abbotsford. Feasibility Study. http://www.southfraser.com/includes/documents/SupportingNewFarmersinAbbotsford.pdf 28 See http://www.craftontario.ca/ 29 See http://www.farmcentre.com/Home.aspx

http://woodwynnfarms.org/project/woodwynn-farm

http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/agriculture/programs/

http://glenvalleyorganicfarmcoop.org/coop/

http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/food_hub.shtml

http://www.southfraser.com/includes/documents/SupportingNewFarmersinAbbotsford.pdf

http://www.craftontario.ca/

http://www.farmcentre.com/Home.aspx



Challenges to marketing

Opportunities to pursue diversification in combination with local farming are largely unexplored

Treatment of small scale, value-added, and agritourism operations is not consistent with their status as accepted agricultural land uses

Rationale for Action It may be argued that some of the greatest opportunities in the agricultural sector relate to developing suppliers of local food and combining marketing with diversification to generate value-added farm income. Clearly, these markets thrive because they are “niche” markets and if more farmers entered them, the opportunities might not be as lucrative. Nonetheless, these activities have a multitude of benefits including:

Create a positive face of agriculture in the community

Create businesses responding to consumer value-added tastes and increasing value of farm products at the farm gate

Take pressure off small land parcels for conversion to non-farm use

Attract new blood into the sector.

Policy and Action Options Essentially, this policy area is about encouraging innovative ideas and equipping new entrants with the ways and means of entering the agricultural sector, with the objective of increasing the likelihood of being successful. Options include:

Provide new/young farmers with training, mentoring, technical expertise (e.g., accessing programs of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council designed to assist in connecting established farmers with young farmers in mentor relationships)

Explore land trusts (e.g., The Land Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited), which may be ways of acquiring land for lease to under capitalized farmers

Provide information to farmers in creating agricultural trusts that can provide land and opportunities to young farmers

Lobby the federal government for the development of family trust legislation to facilitate transfer of farmland between generations

Lobby the province for support of on-farm internship programs (e.g., Ontario CRAFT program, WWOOF Canada30)

Explore opportunities to provide a clearing house of information on rental terms, leases, agreements and business arrangements, including cooperative and farm equipment bank models

Host seminars and workshops on production, niche markets, business skills

Promote and support capacity building in small scale farming

Undertake a needs assessment for local small scale farmers, to include investigations relating to issues such housing, complementary marketing, farm slaughtering/abattoirs, food regulations, leases, bulk buying, worker recruitment, and facilities infrastructure

Develop an agritourism strategy that minimizes potential for impacts on conventional agricultural operations

Develop a streamlined approval and taxation regime in support of farms pursuing diversification31

30 See http://www.wwoof.ca/

http://www.wwoof.ca/



Continue to support the Ladner Farmers’ Market

Examine other models for connecting the farming community, new entrants, and the local marketplace, such as community supported agriculture, mentoring and apprenticeships32

Lobby senior governments for the development of financial programs to assist low equity start-ups

Investigate and initiate farming cooperatives that young farmers could afford to be part of and work with lending institutions (e.g., Van City micro-loan program)

Hire an agrologist to assist start-up farmers in a business advisory capacity.

2.4 Limited Public Appreciation of Agriculture

Maintaining public support for local agriculture can be a challenge in affluent jurisdictions with access to global supplies of low cost food and fibre products. Arguments related to maintaining food sufficiency tend to not ring true when farmland lies idle or is used in unproductive ways. People are not always aware of the contribution that agriculture makes to the economy, the quality of life and the amenities that society enjoys. The challenge is to communicate that message to the public in a way that results in tangible support for the continued viability of the sector.

2.4.1 Public Awareness of Local Agriculture

The Situation While the presence of agricultural activity pervades the community, the vast majority of Delta’s population of 100,000 knows relatively little about agriculture and, more specifically, about how agriculture contributes to the benefits that the community enjoys. At the same time, there is general support for the idea of protecting farmland and maintaining the ability of farmers to farm. The concepts of local food, food security, food safety, and environmentally sustainable food systems are bringing heightened attention to the importance of regional agriculture. There is opportunity to enlist the support of non-farming residents to enhance the conditions necessary to support agricultural viability in Delta. This may be accomplished by taking steps to engage the public in connecting community welfare with local agriculture and by attuning residents to how the agricultural sector can be supported to achieve desired results. In a planning context, community planning has tended to overlook the role of agriculture in making communities sustainable. Many farming areas have relatively lower requirements for servicing and do not attract as much public attention. Similarly, incremental impacts on farmland and farming activity often tend to be unnoticeable or their impacts disregarded until the cumulative effect causes activity to cease.

The Issues In the competition for land and resources, agriculture cannot survive without public support. Current food trends are supportive of the concept of local agriculture and protection of farmland. That interest

31 On-farm diversification refers to new enterprises or the addition of value to existing enterprises to create value to both the consumer and the farm business.

32 Intervale Farm, Vermont, is one example of an approach that focuses on removing the barriers faced by new farmers in accessing facilities, equipment, markets, and knowledge. http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/intervale_farms.shtml

http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/intervale_farms.shtml



needs to be channelled into a public awareness of how agriculture may be supported in Delta. The issues include:

The substantial benefits and intrinsic values that local agriculture provides need to be known

The impacts on agriculture due to publicly sanctioned actions (e.g., wildlife and waterfowl protection, recreation) are creating unsustainable impacts to farming operations

The cumulative and long term impacts on Delta agriculture from projects affecting farmland (e.g. utility and transportation) may not be capable of being compensated for

It is more logical and expedient to support the sector now than try to re-invigorate it later

Farmers and the public need to understand that, in the long run, land must support a diversity of crops and this can only be done by ongoing good stewardship

Urban decision makers need to be reminded that the ALR and viable farming are critical to the support of vibrant urban areas.33

Rationale for Action Support of local agricultures complements a range of other Delta initiatives including improving public health, food security, quality of life, environmental and wildlife values, and community based income and employment. Agriculture needs to aggressively market itself in Delta to ensure it continues to receive widespread and focused community support.

Policy and Action Options Options to promote agricultural awareness, support local agricultural business, and increase public participation to support/celebrate the local food system include:

Encourage the local farming community to organize to engage with the public and Delta, through farm tours, partnering with chefs and restaurants, and more community events

Develop a multi-partner communications plan to raise awareness of agriculture and help coordinate public awareness events

Publicize Harvest Box, a program that focuses on providing local produce at affordable prices34

Include awareness of wildlife as a feature and a factor (negative and positive) in farming when communicating about agriculture

Work with local tourism/hospitality industry to promote ‘Taste of Delta’ food promotions at Delta restaurants and hotels

Expand the agriculture webpage on Delta website, with ‘operation/farmer of the month’ features etc., ‘fact sheets’, presentations to Council

Investigate the feasibility of developing an annual ‘State of Delta Agriculture’ report

Support and expand community gardens/urban agriculture demonstrations to promote agricultural awareness, through additional funding , supportive bylaws and provision of land

Review and expand upon road/neighbourhood signage to identify agricultural areas, sub-areas and what is grown in those areas, respect for farm traffic

Investigate the feasibility of regional branding for agricultural products

Lobby the province to support expansion of the “Buy BC” program35

Support the development and expansion in Delta of school lunch programs such as Bread Garden KidsEat!,36 initiatives with celebrity chef advocates,37 the Farm to School Salad Bar

33 See Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. 2001. Agricultural Sustainability and Smart Growth: Saving Urban Influenced Land. Translation Paper No. 5. http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/Portals/0/Downloads/US%20Farmland%20Watch%20paper.pdf 34 See Harvest Box Program. http://harvestbox.com/ 35 The current BuyBC program is a user pay program. http://www.bcac.bc.ca/buybc

http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/Portals/0/Downloads/US%20Farmland%20Watch%20paper.pdf

http://harvestbox.com/

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/buybc



Program,38 School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program,39 and expansion of volunteer-run School Breakfast Clubs,40 using local produce

Build on the “Take a Bite Out of BC” program developed by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation41

Support ‘Meet Your Maker” events in Delta to connect food producers with chefs, local processors and food buyers42

Promote agricultural education at the provincial level by linking agricultural education to prescribed learning outcomes in K to 12

Create forums to educate politicians and staff about the role of viable local farming in the sustainable community

Continue Delta kids’ garden contest

Create contact lists of farmers willing to educate the public and participate in awareness activities (e.g., host tours)

Provide support and coordination efforts for various existing agricultural awareness efforts such as “Farm Hike by Bike” (Earthwise) or “A Day at the Farm”

Dedicate a portion of Delta’s budget towards supporting agricultural awareness projects (e.g., crop identification signs)

Engage the public in food literacy, healthy nutrition and skills training in handling and preparing food.

2.4.2 Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts The public may not be fully aware of how public priorities are affecting agriculture. The various demands placed on farmlands include land for transportation projects, crops as food for wildlife, access for recreational users, and open green space for social amenities.

The Situation Wildlife use of farmland is extensive and increasing due primarily to rising populations of waterfowl. Delta over winters a snow goose population larger than the Fraser estuary is capable of supporting, even resulting in degradation of the foreshore aquatic environment.43 In addition, various publicly supported and funded projects create and continue to cause significant incremental and cumulative impacts on agriculture in Delta:

36 See Bread Garden KidsEat! http://www.breadgardenkidseat.com/ 37 See Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children’s Urban Agriculture. http://www.growingchefs.ca/home 38 This program connects schools with local food producers. http://www.phabc.org/modules.php?name=Farmtoschool&pa=showpage&pid=4 39 This is part of an ACTNOWBC initiative to improve the health of BC children and families. http://www.aitc.ca/bc/snacks/ 40 For example, Strathcona Community School Breakfast Club in Vancouver. 41 See BC Agriculture in the Classroom. Take a Bite if BC. http://www.aitc.ca/bc/programs/take-a-bite-of-bc 42 This event is sponsored in the Metro Vancouver area by Farm Folk/City Folk and Local Food First. http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/meetyourmaker/index.html 43 Evans, J. 2008. Report to Delta Hunting Regulation Advisory Committee. Sep 03. http://www.deltaviews.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=44376

http://www.breadgardenkidseat.com/

http://www.growingchefs.ca/home

http://www.phabc.org/modules.php?name=Farmtoschool&pa=showpage&pid=4

http://www.aitc.ca/bc/snacks/

http://www.aitc.ca/bc/programs/take-a-bite-of-bc


http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/meetyourmaker/index.html

http://www.deltaviews.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=44376



Loss of farmland to public projects, such as expanding transportation corridors and port expansion in Delta

Land use pressure as the public values more parks, conservation reserves, recreation, and green space

Unmitigated impacts from treaty settlement due to loss of farmland, proposed adjacent industrial and urban expansion, and effects on farming operations.

While the public projects and programs are intended to provide public benefits, there is growing recognition that these projects may threaten the viability of the Delta agricultural sector. Farmers have raised concerns that public amenities are being provided at their overall expense.

The Issues Three central issues relating to public responsibility for impacts on agriculture induced by public projects are: 1) acknowledging that theses types of impacts are significant and largely unavoidable by farmers; 2) relating compensation/mitigation to the magnitude of the impact on Delta agriculture, that is the farming community is concerned that the integrity of the farmland base is being compromised by incursion into the ALR to the extent that farming viability is threatened; and 3) ensuring that the impacts are addressed with effective and meaningful local solutions. In other jurisdictions in Canada, farmers are compensated for damages from wildlife under stable programs that match levels of compensation to assessments of the impacts sustained. Delta farmers expect the similar treatment in dealing with unavoidable losses in productivity. Specific issues include:

The costs of providing public ecological goods and services is inequitable with farmers incurring a high proportion of these costs

Agriculture is experiencing annual unsustainable damages from waterfowl

Farmers are restricted in crop choices, by being forced to grow less preferable crops that waterfowl will not consume or imperfect drainage will not affect as severely

Cropping rotation is disrupted by the inability, due to crop predation, to grow the best crops to replenish the land; by the physical loss of farmland due to transportation projects and treaty entitlements; and by environmental protocols that reduce farmland productivity

Economic yields and plant quality are reduced or depressed ands farm economic sustainability is threatened by lower returns per hectare for the same amount of input expense

Beavers are affecting the proper functioning of ditches and canals

Corridor expansions are taking farmland out of production, creating economic losses to agriculture and impacts on remaining farm operators

Farmland functionality has been compromised by parcel fragmentation, site specific drainage issues, and difficult access.

Rationale for Action The agricultural sector is feeling the effects of a complex range of impacts that are insidious in terms of their cumulative effect. The likelihood of continued and new impacts is substantial and farmers need assurance not only that farming viability will not be threatened but also that the farming sector’s confidence in the future of the sector is not shaken.

Policy and Action Options Options that would have potential to address outstanding issues and prepare for new challenges include:



Investigate the feasibility of establishing a resident Canada goose culling program in association with a local food access and security program

Lobby the province for the development of a compensation program for crop damage to farmers, through participation in federal –provincial waterfowl damage compensation programs, that is better matched to the magnitude of impacts sustained

Encourage more research into integrated farm-level strategies to mitigate the potential for damages from waterfowl

Lobby for a regional levy to assist farmers who provide ecological goods and services

Lobby for waterfowl Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) under the Environmental Farm Plan

Develop agricultural impact assessment and review processes that identify incremental and cumulative impacts on agriculture due to new infrastructure, utility, treaty land claims, environmental and public amenity projects

Encourage more research into integrated farm-level strategies to mitigate the potential for damages from waterfowl , beavers, and other wildlife

Require that compensation provided to agriculture in the form of capital works also be supported by budgets to ensure that those works can be maintained and operated over their design life

Encourage all accounting of public projects (federal, provincial, local) to be a “triple bottom line” accounting which explicitly addresses impacts and benefits to agriculture

Raise issues of funding and compensation in a forum like UBCM where various levels of government gather

Educate the public on how various issues affect farming, e.g. bird issues, to assist them become more inclined to support compensation programs

Encourage local government to proactively represent farmers’ interests when federal and provincial environmental policies are proposed

Investigate the feasibility of options to reclaim land for agriculture from the foreshore

Develop strategies to mobilize public support for agriculture by informing them of the impacts of projects.

2.4.3 Institutional Support for Agriculture Historically, federal and provincial governments have had a significant presence in providing extension services support to the agricultural sector. Even more importantly, government agencies were heavily involved in identifying industry needs because of their knowledge of the pulse of the industry. While BC has a regional Agriculture Wildlife Program44 that provides some compensation to Delta farmers for waterfowl damages, more robust federal-provincial programs that are available in other provinces (e.g., Waterfowl Damage Compensation program) do not exist in BC.

The Situation Field extension and direct producer support has mostly disappeared in BC’s agricultural industry. Commodity groups need to be organized and have financial assets to leverage grants. For some sectors such as the vegetable greenhouse industry, the system works satisfactorily. Other small or unorganized sectors, especially those facing financial stress, are in less tenable situations.

44 BC Ministry of Agriculture. Agriculture Wildlife Program. http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/awp/index.htm

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/awp/index.htm



Current government support for research and programs supporting the agricultural sector is modest at all levels compared to the magnitude of the economic and employment streams generated or the benefits that agriculture provides to the community at large. It is difficult for the farming community to convey the urgency of the situation or that time is of the essence in preventing further deterioration of the sector. Local institutions and government often do not consciously consider their role in supporting agriculture when procuring their food requirements. No comprehensive strategy currently exists to assist these groups to work together with the public and farming sector to create a market that local producers could target. The recent Regional Food System Strategy45 recommends increased local and regional involvement in this area, while regional government (i.e., Metro Vancouver) may soon be considering tangible support to regional agriculture.

The Issues With the pressures facing Delta agriculture to provide social and public amenities, more public participation and support is needed to change the current model of agricultural support from reactive approaches to pro-active actions involving community sanctioned support based on planned sustainable funding. This would involve public recognition of local agriculture’s beneficial role, understanding of the need for support to sustain these benefits, and acceptance of the paradigm that these values should be contributed to support agriculture. This framework would result in paying farmers for the other services they provide and not only for products marketed, for example, in grocery stores. Issue areas include:

Developing local markets supporting local agriculture, wherever feasible

Acknowledging farmers for ecological services provided through payments by local and/or regional governments

Creating an agricultural market for carbon sequestration services.

Rationale for Action Government support for local agriculture through policies that would procure needed products from local sources is probably one of the more cost-effective ways of supporting the sector. Coordinating with other institutions would re-create market channel linkages throughout the community. Recognizing and placing value on other goods and services that agriculture currently provides for free would significantly benefit the sector.

Policy and Action Options Initiatives to support agriculture have been favourably received by the public and the agricultural sector. Further actions could include:

Develop a “buy local” agricultural products policy for local government and set an example for local businesses

Lobby for regional ecological good and services levy to be paid to farmers that provide these services

Investigate the feasibility of carbon tax and sequestration system that benefits farming

45 See http://www.cityfarmer.info/2010/09/10/metro-vancouvers-regional-food-system-strategy-includes-urban-agriculture/

http://www.cityfarmer.info/2010/09/10/metro-vancouvers-regional-food-system-strategy-includes-urban-agriculture/

http://www.cityfarmer.info/2010/09/10/metro-vancouvers-regional-food-system-strategy-includes-urban-agriculture/



Encourage provincial government and institutions to support local food producers through purchasing policies

Lobby for provincial incentives to encourage local/regional purchasing policies

Investigate the feasibility of regional branding to facilitate local purchasing

Create and publish a list of what is grown and/or processed in Delta

Encourage newspapers to include more coverage or a column on local agriculture and issues

Provide a “Champions of Farming” speakers list to Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and other groups and encourage presentations on agricultural issues

Pursue assistance from senior governments in the short term to farmers who are currently facing financial difficulties

Reinstate a local extension agrologist function that provided technical and production expertise to the agricultural sector in the past

Reinstate local provincial research in support of crops grown in Delta, specifically in relation to responses to cope with impending climate change.



3.0 Next Steps This Phase 2 Report: Issues and Options is intended to provide the content for community consultation in the development of the Agricultural Plan. In addition, the report will be posted on the City’s website. Through all stages of developing the Agricultural plan, the reports are vetted through the Agricultural Advisory Committee. A Phase 3 Report: Agricultural Plan will be based on the findings from Phase 2. The document will articulate a final vision to support the Agricultural Plan as well as confirm guiding principles that would guide the plan towards its vision. The draft Agricultural Plan will be presented at an Open House and made available for public review and comment. The completed Agriculture Plan will include an implementation plan, recommending action priorities and lead agencies.



Appendices



Appendix A: Delta Agricultural Policies in the Official Community Plan OCP agricultural policies include: 2.5.1 Recognize farming as the primary use of agricultural land. 2.5.2 Maintain the parcel size of Delta’s agricultural land and encourage consolidation of agricultural

parcels to increase parcel size, rather than fragmentation of agricultural lands. 2.5.3 Support initiatives that reinforce farm use of agricultural land and the continued development

of a viable agricultural industry. 2.5.4 Use Agriculture Impact Assessments to quantify the impacts of a proposed development,

rezoning subdivision or non-farm use on the ALR, farmed lands or lands adjacent to farmed lands. Require mitigation for possible impacts.

2.5.5 Consider alternate nonagricultural sites when recreational, institutional, industrial, commercial uses or utility facilities are proposed for agricultural areas.

2.5.6 Continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission and other appropriate stakeholders and organizations to determine the maximum threshold for greenhouses and other non-soil dependent farming operations that preserves a critical mass of land for soil-based agriculture.

2.5.7 Encourage non-soil dependent farm operations to locate in areas of poorer soils and minimize the impacts of these operations (e.g. air and light pollution).

2.5.8 Encourage farmers to undertake the highest standard of management practices for activities that may result in noise, dust, smell, light or other nuisances, particularly if located near the urban boundary.

2.5.9 Undertake a public awareness program to inform non-farm residents about normal farm practices and urban activities that may result in difficulties for farmers.

2.5.10 Consider urban-rural edge planning initiatives, such as Development Permit Guidelines for the urban side.

2.5.11 Support economic diversification initiatives accessory to and compatible with farming that add value to locally produced farm products.

2.5.12 Work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission and other farm stakeholders to determine and encourage appropriate economic diversification initiatives.

2.5.13 Ensure agricultural processing industries that locate in agricultural areas are consistent with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission legislation, regulations or policies.

2.5.14 Encourage businesses that support and service farming to locate in Delta 2.5.15 Develop zoning regulations that minimize the negative impacts of dwellings on farmland and

locate them to minimize servicing costs and promote clustering. 2.5.16 Ensure additional farm houses are necessary for farm use or retired farmers, as permitted in

Agricultural Land Commission legislation, regulations, or policies. 2.5.17 Consider incentives that encourage the preservation of heritage buildings on the same site. 2.5.18 Encourage cooperative decision making for agricultural-environmental issues. Encourage

initiatives, including best management practices, that support both farming and wildlife, protect against soil erosion and degradation, and maintain water quality and hydrological functions on agricultural land.



2.5.19 Support and if appropriate participate in studies to determine the impacts of greenhouses and other agricultural and non-agricultural development on the Pacific Flyway, and study the impacts of waterfowl on agricultural lands

2.5.20 Recognize and protect environmentally significant areas of farmland, including hedgerows, stands of trees, old fields, watercourses and other sensitive areas.

2.5.21 Continue to support programs that mitigate and compensate for crop damage from migratory birds and onfarm stewardship activities such as setasides, and hedgerows.

2.5.22 Minimize the negative impacts on farming and wildlife habitat when new agri-tourism, transportation and utility corridors, regional recreational opportunities and other economic initiatives are being developed.

2.5.23 Encourage farmers to prepare Best Management Practice Plans and Environmental Farm Plans. 2.5.24 Encourage other levels of government and non-government agencies to implement habitat

initiatives on agricultural land in cooperation with farmers. 2.5.25 Work with the GVRD, user groups, and stakeholders to educate recreational users of private

property rights, the implications of trespassing on farmland, nuisance activities for farming, and security concerns of the farm community.

2.5.26 Support planning initiatives that minimize conflicts between recreational and farm users. 2.5.27 Encourage the equestrian community and commercial stables to provide training and other

initiatives for horse riders using public roads to reduce possible conflict with farm and non-farm vehicles.

2.5.28 Consider updating the Delta Rural Land Use Study (1994). 2.5.29 Continue efforts to provide up-to-date agricultural regulations that support farming in Delta. 2.5.30 Support efforts to coordinate federal, provincial and municipal agricultural regulations.



Acronyms Used in the Report and Appendices AAC – Agricultural Advisory Committee

AAFC – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

ALC – Agricultural Land Commission

ARDCORP – Agricultural Research and Development Corporation

BCAA – BC Assessment Authority

BCAC – BC Agriculture Council

BCATA – BA Agri-Tourism Association

BCMA – BC Ministry of Agriculture

BMP – Beneficial Management Practice

CF – Community Futures BC

CFBMC – Canadian Farm Business Management Council

CRAFT – Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in Ontario

CWS – Canadian Wildlife Service

DAS – Delta Agricultural Society

DCC – Develop Cost Charges

Delta – Corporation of Delta

DCOC – Delta Chamber of Commerce

DDI – Delta Diking, Drainage and Irrigation Committee

DFO – Department of Fisheries and Oceans

EFP – Environmental Farm Plan

EW – Earthwise Society

FCC – Farm Credit Canada

FF/CF – Farm Folk/City Folk

FIRB – Farm Industry Relations Board

FVFDMA – Fraser Valley Farm Direct Marketing Association

FVREB – Fraser Valley Real Estate Board

FVRD – Fraser Valley Regional District

GHG – Greenhouse gases

IAF – Investment Agriculture Foundation, BC

KPI – Kwantlen Polytechnic University

MOED – Ministry of Education

MOEN – Ministry of Environment

MV – Metro Vancouver Regional District

NGO – Non-Government Agency

PIBC – Planning Institute of British Columbia

RCA – Revenue Canada Agency

REBGV – Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

SD – School District

SFCF – South Fraser Community Futures

SSFPA – Small Scale Food Processor Association

TFN – Tsawwassen First Nation

UBCM – Union of BC Municipalities

UBC - University of British Columbia



UFV – University of the Fraser Valley

WWOOF – World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms



Appendix B: Summary of Key Issues and Options

Issue Situation Concerns Options

1. Threatened Viability of Farming in Delta 1.1 Local Processing

Options (section 2.1.1, p.5)

Loss of local processing

Farmers are facing reduced cropping options


Absence of a market for second quality produce

Alternative crops have not been identified

Develop an agricultural economic policy that promotes processing capacity as a component of agricultural viability in Delta

Attract processors of local crops by providing grants, financial incentives and serviced locations (e.g., waive development cost charges)

Investigate the feasibility of encouraging processing companies/cooperatives by establishing an agricultural enterprise zone using zoning and a revitalization tax exemption bylaw46

If an agri-industrial location is not available on municipal or industrial land, consider desirability and/or feasibility to allow agri-industrial in the ALR

Encourage and facilitate local on-farm processing opportunities with on-farm regulatory processes and requirements that encourage diversification

Lobby for the incorporation of on-farm value-added as eligible farm income for tax assessment purposes

Support marketing initiatives focusing on the quality and freshness of frozen and preserved foods, in support of local production

46 See Ministry of Community Services (2008). Revitalization Tax Exemptions: A Primer on the Provisions of the Community Charter (Victoria: Ministry of Community Services) www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/docs/community_charter_revital_tax_exemptions.pdf and discussion in Curran, D. and Dr. T. Stobbe. 2010. Local Government Policy Options to Protect Agricultural Land and Improve the Viability of Farming in Metro Vancouver. http://www.metrovancouver.org/planning/development/agriculture/AgricultureDocs/Local_Government_Policy_Options_to_Protect_Agricultural_Land.pdf

http://www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/docs/community_charter_revital_tax_exemptions.pdf




Issue Situation Concerns Options Engage the BC Food Processors Association and/or the Small Scale Food Processors Association to generate interest in value-added opportunities

Develop an agricultural economic development position focused on promoting on-farm processing, locating funding opportunities, and developing a processing vegetable fund

Encourage area specific research and development crop and processing trials in support of local agriculture

Attract new crops and processes with economic potential in Delta

1.2 High Input Costs (section 2.1.2, p. 6)

Costs related to taxation and water are a concern

High land and building values are increasing fixed costs of farming

Delta farmers losing competitive position

Delta farmers perceive themselves at a financial disadvantage within the region

High local water rates work at cross purposes to regional food strategy initiatives

Lobby the province to investigate farmstead provisions that would tax agricultural buildings and improvements of bona fide47 farmers at a lower agricultural rate or provide a tax exemption

Lobby the Metro Vancouver to provide bulk water rates for agriculture, eliminate the mark-up on agricultural water, or otherwise reduce the cost of municipal water to farmers

Seek provincial relief from carbon taxes on agriculture and seek credit for soil-based farms practising stewardship that sequesters carbon

Investigate the feasibility of attracting agricultural land trusts to purchase farmland that can be leased for long terms in order to facilitate farming in Delta

Establish a minimum lease term of 10 to 20 years on Delta-owned farmland

Encourage buying groups among farmers to share costs of inputs (fertilizer, feed, other inputs)

Lobby DFO to reduce setbacks next to drainage ditches and request compensation for lost production in setback areas

47 While there is no currently definition of “bona fide farming”, a bona fide farmer would be a farm operator who uses farmland to produce agricultural products with the expectation of profit.



Issue Situation Concerns Options Develop a better framework for addressing loss of land base due to transportation projects, land claims, riparian setbacks and wildlife predation

Investigate the feasibilities of alternative fuel technologies (e.g., cogeneration) to lower farm costs

1.3 Managing the Rural-Urban Interface (section 2.1.3, p. 7)

Rural activities are under constant scrutiny of the non-farming public The rural urban fringe can be a source of land use conflicts

Unsubstantiated claims regarding farming activities

Unwarranted conflicts with non-farming residents on the fringe and within the ALR

Management of recreational conflicts

Implement BCMA edge planning guidelines for land use planning adjacent to the ALR, as per OCP policy

Investigate the feasibility Investigate the feasibility of requiring agricultural covenants on rural-urban edge properties48

Investigate opportunities to notify/disclose on property transactions adjacent to agricultural lands that purchasers may expect normal farm practices

Provide more education to the non-farming public on agricultural activities and practices

Develop an “agriculture-first” policy toward regulating activities in the ALR, e.g., non-agricultural residential , public responsibilities of farmland ownership, trespass, limitations on agricultural practices

Periodically review noise and hunting bylaws to ensure they are not constraining farming

Review and maintain signage and education material for dike walkers and other recreational users so that it is communicated that they are in an agricultural zone and that agricultural activities are acceptable

Investigate opportunities to put disclosure on title for properties adjacent to agricultural lands

Better locate waste transfer stations in the municipality to reduce waste dumping into ditches and onto rural roads

48 In the City of Surrey, for example, at time of development Restrictive Covenants are registered on lots adjacent to the agricultural designation to ensure that landscape buffers are completed and maintained. City of Surrey. Residential Buffering Adjacent to the ALR/Agricultural Boundary. http://www.surrey.ca/files/O23.pdf




Issue Situation Concerns Options Enforce parking regulations on farm roads (e.g., 88th Street)

Enforce littering laws on trails adjacent to farmland (and provide better signage)

Enforce traffic laws, especially speeding on rural roads

1.4 Adoption of Appropriate New Technology (section 2.1.4, p. 8)

Farm operators need to intensify operations and adopt technology innovations to stay competitive

Policies to permit new on-farm technologies in support of viability are not developed

On-farm intensification may affect adjacent farms

Develop policy in support of farmers adopting technological solutions, where appropriate, that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint

Encourage the ALC to review policies on waste management for the purposes of improving economical options for farmers

Pursue research to develop technological solutions to agricultural waste and emissions management

Explore the use of technological solutions on farms (e.g., cogen) that are capable of addressing business risks, pollution-reducing, efficiency-creating and increase opportunities for agriculture

1.5 Reduce Regulatory Constraints and Compliance Costs (section 2.1.5, p. 9)

Federal and provincial agencies (administrative tribunals) are making decisions about the use of the ALR Municipal approval processes for farm-related activities can be complex and daunting

Administrative decisions (e.g., FIRB) have the potential to “sterilize” farmland for future agricultural production

Approval processes can be lengthy and costly

Environmental regulations are affecting farming operations

Increase agricultural understanding in City Hall (e.g., through agriculturally qualified staff person (e.g., P. Ag.), information sessions, tours and dialogue)

Use pre-application meetings and improve/expand checklists to assist farmers with the regulatory process and to increase farmer knowledge of zoning

Investigate opportunities to streamline the regulatory process to avoid the costs of regenerating information required for building permit that does not vary by location in Delta

Develop and adopt a comprehensive Provincial definition of agriculture that reflects the diversity of operations on farms, the necessary conditions for their conduct, and the services needed for the associated land uses

Work with the farming community to consider and adjust requirements in relation to the size, scope, seasonality and overall impact of the proposed agricultural uses in relation to the cost, impact on agricultural income, purpose, and necessity



Issue Situation Concerns Options Develop ”agriculture-friendly” protocols for ditch and dike maintenance that protect the environment and are timely, reasonable and feasible from an agricultural perspective

Encourage environmental farm planning and the adoption of beneficial management practices as a way to reduce environmental risks on farms and reduce regulatory compliance costs

Investigate options to recognize Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) implementation in municipal regulatory criteria and fee structure

Provide municipal incentives to implement specific beneficial management practices (BMPs) on Delta farmland

Strengthen existing rules pertaining to permitted farmland uses and farm status

Advocate on behalf of agriculture in respect of Farm Industry Relations Board rulings to reduce instances where administrative decisions work to weaken agriculture

Develop a forum for regular discussions with Council and the farming community (e.g., the AAC) to ensure that the regulatory environment makes sense for agriculture

Track permitted soil and fill placement in the ALR and ensure movement has a predetermined destination and established beneficial purpose

Better enforce soil removal and deposit provisions to prevent illegal dumping of wastes on farmland

Use the AAC to inform Delta about non-farm use in the ALR

2. Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure

2.1 Management of Drainage and Irrigation in the

Improved agricultural irrigation works are being constructed as

While the Gateway project has faced cost escalation, the budget for irrigation improvements is fixed

Ensure that promised irrigation works are constructed for all areas of Delta



Issue Situation Concerns Options ALR (section 2.2.1, p. 10)

compensation to agriculture in association with the Gateway project Areas of Delta continue to be under supplied with agricultural irrigation water Irrigation ditches in some areas of Delta are also used as drainage ditches for other uses

Cost of operating the improved irrigation project is not part of the compensation

Westham Island’s irrigation infrastructure does not meet irrigation demand

Other pockets of farmland are challenged by water availability

Irrigation water is needed in all agricultural areas of Delta

Salinity concerns

Quality of storm water from industrial areas (e.g., Tilbury) is not suitable for on-farm processing and irrigation

Presence of coliforms, agricultural waste, and garbage in ditches raise questions about food safety

Provide agricultural servicing in the ALR at preferential rates (e.g. bulk regional agricultural rates and/or lower municipal delivery rates)

Lobby the province to contribute to irrigation infrastructure improvements to service Westham Island

Lobby the federal government to re-instate a National Water Supply Expansion Program to fund irrigation water supply infrastructure

Update irrigation/drainage information to identify other areas where water-related factors continue to be a production constraint and determine the type of works that would improve agricultural productivity

Upgrade existing drainage systems to keep contaminated storm water separate from agricultural irrigation systems

Monitor water quality in ditches and address potential contaminants issues

Improve and extend the supply of municipal water in agricultural areas

Improve and extend the supply of irrigation water to agricultural areas, such as southeast Delta and Westham Island

Develop a comprehensive agricultural drainage plan and servicing strategy

2.2 Rural Roads, Transportation and Field Access (section 2.2.2, p. 11)

Traffic bottlenecks make agricultural movement difficult Corridors between farms are managed without agricultural access in mind

Some Delta farmland is inaccessible to conventional agricultural machinery and equipment

Truck bans on some rural roads make it difficult for agricultural movement between fields belonging to the same farm

Access to dikes and back roads by

Develop a Delta agricultural transportation plan and strategy, taking into account the spill over effect of commuters and urban growth on rural traffic

Address specific agricultural transportation routes affected by the Deltaport and Gateway projects, including need for agricultural truck overpasses

Differentiate between agricultural truck traffic and general truck traffic on rural roads (review Highways Bylaw) and ensure



Issue Situation Concerns Options agricultural operators is limited by narrow gates

Road safety on many routes

Speed bumps creating damage to transported produce

enforcement

Designate certain rural roads as agricultural or open to local traffic only

Lobby the province for upgrading of the Westham Island Bridge to accommodate increased traffic and larger implements

Pursue federal and provincial funding for improvement projects in support of agricultural transportation

Develop a truck marshalling area at Deltaport to reduce traffic congestion affecting farming operations

3. Declining Ability to Stimulate Farming

3.1 Non-Farm Use of the ALR (section 2.3.1, p. 12)

ALR Farmland is used for rural residential purposes at the expense of viable agriculture

Fragmentation of the use of the farmland base

Under-utilization of farmland

Harassment of farming activities

Treaty settlement lands may be taken out of agricultural use

Develop a mechanism to require mitigation, enhancement, and compensation for public infrastructure works, to be contributed by projects and organizations for taking farmland and to be used in support of agriculture

Develop taxing, “value-capture” and other financial mechanisms to intercept profits from farmland speculation and deter development on farmland, with the proceeds used to compensate agriculture

Lobby the province to enact legislation against rural residential dwellings being built in the ALR, unless it is specifically for a farmland owner engaged in bona fide agriculture

Investigate the feasibility of requiring threshold agricultural income tests before allowing new residences to be built on farmland



Issue Situation Concerns Options Lobby the province for the development of a definition49 of bona fide agriculture that promotes the sector

Continue to limit the size of the footprint and siting of residential structures and access in the ALR to conserve farmland for agricultural production

Request that real estate vendors inform prospective non-farming purchasers of farming activities in the ALR

Educate new rural-residential property owners to accept normal impacts associated with adjacent agricultural operations

Conduct an awareness campaign to inform non-agricultural property owners of their responsibilities in the agricultural area

Require disclosure of agricultural practices to prospective builders at the time the building permit is issued

Work with the Metro Vancouver AAC to implement the regional food system strategy

Lobby the province to increase taxes on non-farmed farmland to reduce speculation

Collaborate with the TFN to encourage agriculture and promote development supportive of farming

Recreational vehicles and trucks being stored on farmland

Activities on farmland not related to farming

Potential environmental risks

Reducing use of farmland for farming

Collaborate to develop a parking policy in the ALR respecting non-agricultural vehicles and provide for enforcement of that policy

Investigate the feasibility of providing alternatives for storage and parking in the municipality, directing it away from the ALR

Where exclusion of ALR is unavoidable, consider requirements for inclusion of land of equal or greater size elsewhere in the municipality with soil capability ratings equal to or exceeding that

49 One definition of bona fide agriculture (PEI) may be farming activity that is engaged in with the expectation of profit and where the operator earns at least 25% of their gross annual income from the sale of farm products and spends at least 25% of their time engaged in working on the farm.



Issue Situation Concerns Options of the improvable soil capability rating of the site proposed for exclusion.50

3.2 Lease Access to Farmland (section 2.3.2, p. 14)

Land is not being made available for farming Non-farmers are restricting land lease to low intensity agriculture uses Farmland is being maintained in less than improved capability

Farm tax status is not a sufficient inducement to allow farming

Non-farmers may be more interested in farm tax status than in facilitating agriculture

Farmers on short leases are discouraged from making improvements to the land

Lobby the province to stipulate conditions to encourage non-farm property owners to make their land available for farming activities, e.g., by requiring landlords to enter into longer term leases with tenants to acquire farm tax status

Lobby the province to create incentives to landowners to make their land available for long term leases

Increase the servicing cost to land owners of not facilitating farming activity, possibly by charging non-farmers more for rural services or providing lower servicing rates to bona fide farmers

Create a website or farmland clearinghouse for linking a database of potential tenants to a database of potential landlords

Partner with Community Futures51 and other organizations to provide farmer training and support for young farmers and new entrants

Make municipal and Crown land available for farming under lease to young farmers and new entrants

Consider the feasibility of attracting agricultural land trusts to acquire land in Delta and make it available for agriculture

3.3 Smaller Scale Farmers and Diversification (section 2.3.3,

Small scale farmers are finding niche opportunities targeting local

Difficulty in finding land to operate on

Land costs are prohibitive

Provide new/young farmers with training, mentoring, technical expertise (e.g., accessing programs of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council designed to assist in connecting established farmers with young farmers in mentor relationships)

50 For example, Surrey has developed such a policy. City of Surrey. Policy for Considering Applications for Exclusion of Land from the Agricultural Land Reserve. http://www.surrey.ca/files/O51.pdf 51 The Community Futures Network, established in 1986, is a federal program that supports local rural economic opportunities in Canadian communities. In BC, the program offers support to entrepreneurs and facilitates community approaches to economic development. http://www.communityfutures.ca/index.html


http://www.communityfutures.ca/index.html



Issue Situation Concerns Options p. 15) produce and

processing markets Agritourism opportunities are arising

Skills of operators may be low

Marketing is challenging

Agritourism should support local farming

Treatment of small scale, value-added, and agritourism operations is not consistent with their status as accepted agricultural land uses

Explore land trusts (e.g., The Land Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited), which may be ways of acquiring land for lease to under capitalized farmers

Provide information to farmers in creating agricultural trusts that can provide land and opportunities to young farmers

Lobby the federal government for the development of family trust legislation to facilitate transfer of farmland between generations

Lobby the province for support of on-farm internship programs (e.g., Ontario CRAFT program, WWOOF Canada52)

Explore opportunities to provide a clearing house of information on rental terms, leases, agreements and business arrangements, including cooperative and farm equipment bank models

Host seminars and workshops on production, niche markets, business skills

Promote and support capacity building in small scale farming

Undertake a needs assessment for local small scale farmers, to include investigations relating to issues such housing, complementary marketing, farm slaughtering/abattoirs, food regulations, leases, bulk buying, worker recruitment, and facilities infrastructure

Develop an agritourism strategy that minimizes potential for impacts on conventional agricultural operations

Develop a streamlined approval and taxation regime in support of farm diversification

Support the harmonization of rules and treatment of farms pursuing diversification53

Continue to support the Ladner Farmers’ Market

52 See http://www.wwoof.ca/ 53 On-farm diversification refers to new enterprises or the addition of value to existing enterprises to create value to both the consumer and the farm business.

http://www.wwoof.ca/



Issue Situation Concerns Options Examine other models for connecting the farming community, new entrants, and the local marketplace, such as community supported agriculture, mentoring and apprenticeships54

Lobby senior governments for the development of financial programs to assist low equity start-ups

Investigate and initiate farming cooperatives that young farmers could afford to be part of and work with lending institutions (e.g., Van City micro-loan program)

Hire an agrologist to assist start-up farmers in a business advisory capacity

4. Limited Public Appreciation of Agriculture

4.1 Public Awareness of Local Agriculture (section 2.4.1, p. 16)

The public does not understand why it is important to support the local agricultural sector The public does not know where its food comes from

Agriculture cannot compete for land and resources without public support and consideration

The substantial benefits and intrinsic values that local agriculture provides need to be known

Encourage the local farming community to organize to engage with the public and Delta, through farm tours, partnering with chefs and restaurants, and more community events

Develop a multi-partner communications plan to raise awareness of agriculture

Publicize Harvest Box, a program that focuses on providing local produce at affordable prices55

Include awareness of wildlife as a feature and a factor (negative and positive) in farming when communicating about agriculture

Work with local tourism/hospitality industry to promote ‘Taste of Delta’ food promotions at Delta restaurants and hotels

Expand the agriculture webpage on Delta website, with

54 Intervale Farm, Vermont, is one example of an approach that focuses on removing the barriers faced by new farmers in accessing facilities, equipment, markets, and knowledge. http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/intervale_farms.shtml 55 See Harvest Box Program. http://harvestbox.com/

http://www.intervale.org/programs/agricultural_development/intervale_farms.shtml

http://harvestbox.com/



Issue Situation Concerns Options ‘operation/farmer of the month’ features etc., ‘fact sheets’, presentations to Council

Investigate the feasibility of developing an annual ‘State of Delta Agriculture’ report

Support and expand community gardens/urban agriculture demonstrations to promote agricultural awareness, through additional funding , supportive bylaws and provision of land

Review and expand upon road/neighbourhood signage to identify agricultural areas, sub-areas and what is grown in those areas, respect for farm traffic

Investigate the feasibility of regional branding for agricultural products

Work with community organizations to promote connections among agriculture, health, and wellness

Lobby the province to support expansion of the “Buy BC” program56

Build on the “Take a Bite Out of BC” program developed by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation57

Support the development and expansion in Delta of school lunch programs such as Bread Garden KidsEat!,58 initiatives with celebrity chef advocates,59 the Farm to School Salad Bar Program,60 School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program,61 and expansion of volunteer-run School Breakfast Clubs,62 using local produce

56 The current BuyBC program is a user pay program. http://www.bcac.bc.ca/buybc 57 See BC Agriculture in the Classroom. Take a Bite if BC. http://www.aitc.ca/bc/programs/take-a-bite-of-bc 58 See Bread Garden KidsEat! http://www.breadgardenkidseat.com/ 59 See Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children’s Urban Agriculture. http://www.growingchefs.ca/home 60 This program connects schools with local food producers. http://www.phabc.org/modules.php?name=Farmtoschool&pa=showpage&pid=4 61 This is part of an ACTNOWBC initiative to improve the health of BC children and families. http://www.aitc.ca/bc/snacks/

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/buybc


http://www.breadgardenkidseat.com/

http://www.growingchefs.ca/home

http://www.phabc.org/modules.php?name=Farmtoschool&pa=showpage&pid=4

http://www.aitc.ca/bc/snacks/



Issue Situation Concerns Options Support ‘Meet You Maker” events in Delta to connect food producers with chefs, local processors and food buyers63

Promote agricultural education at the provincial level by linking agricultural education to prescribed learning outcomes in K to 12

Create forums to educate politicians and staff about the role of viable local farming in the sustainable community

Continue Delta kids’ garden contest

Create contact lists of farmers willing to educate the public and participate in awareness activities (e.g., host tours)

Provide support and coordination efforts for various existing agricultural awareness efforts such as “Farm Hike by Bike” (Earthwise) or “A Day at the Farm”

Dedicate a portion of Delta’s budget towards supporting agricultural awareness projects (e.g., crop identification signs)

Engage the public in food literacy, healthy nutrition and skills training in handling and preparing food

4.2 Public Responsibility for Induced Agricultural Impacts (section 2.4.2, p. 18)

Wildlife use of farmland is extensive and increasing due to rising populations Delta over winters a snow goose population larger than the Fraser estuary is capable of

Agriculture is experiencing annual unsustainable damages from waterfowl.

Farmers are restricted in crop choices

Economic yields are reduced

Farm economic sustainability is threatened

Corridor expansions are taking farmland out of production, creating

Investigate the feasibility of establishing a resident Canada goose culling program in association with a local food access and security program

Lobby the province for the development of a compensation program for crop damage to farmers, through participation in federal –provincial waterfowl damage compensation programs, that is better matched to the magnitude of impacts sustained

Encourage more research into integrated farm-level strategies to mitigate the potential for damages from waterfowl

Lobby for a regional levy to assist farmers who provide ecological

62 For example, Strathcona Community School Breakfast Club in Vancouver. 63 This event is sponsored in the Metro Vancouver area by Farm Folk/City Folk and Local Food First. http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/meetyourmaker/index.html

http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/meetyourmaker/index.html



Issue Situation Concerns Options supporting Government projects are expanding transportation corridors in Delta The public demand for parks, conservation reserves, recreation, and green space is increasing Treaty settlement has claimed farmland and affected farming operations The public is only vaguely aware of how public projects are affecting agriculture

economic losses to agriculture and impacts on remaining farm operators


The farmer is incurring private costs in providing public ecological goods and services

Reduction in farmland base

goods and services

Lobby for waterfowl Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) under the Environmental Farm Plan

Develop agricultural impact assessment and review processes that identify and address incremental and cumulative impacts on agriculture due to new infrastructure, utility, treaty land claims, environmental and public amenity projects

Encourage more research into integrated farm-level strategies to mitigate the potential for damages from waterfowl, beavers and other wildlife

Require that compensation provided to agriculture in the form of capital works also be supported by budgets to ensure that those works can be maintained and operated over their design life

Encourage all accounting of public projects (federal, provincial, local) to be a “triple bottom line” accounting which explicitly addresses impacts and benefits to agriculture

Raise issues of project impact and compensation funding in a forum like UBCM where various levels of government gather

Educate the public on how various issues affect farming, e.g. bird issues, to assist them become more inclined to support compensation programs

Encourage local government to proactively represent farmers’ interests when federal and provincial environmental policies are proposed

Investigate the feasibility of options to reclaim land for agriculture from the foreshore

Develop strategies to mobilize public support for agriculture by informing them of the impacts of projects

4.3 Local Institutional Support for

Procurement of food by local institutions and government does

Local markets should support local agriculture, wherever feasible

Farmers not paid for ecological good

Develop a “buy local” policy for local government and set an example for local businesses

Lobby for regional ecological good and services levy to be paid to



Issue Situation Concerns Options Agriculture (section 2.4.3, p. 19)

not consider food source Farmers provide non-market benefits to society

and services

Agriculture needs guidance in accessing carbon sequestration benefits

Local relevance of research

farmers that provide these services

Investigate the feasibility of carbon tax and sequestration system that benefits farming

Encourage provincial government and institutions to support local food producers through purchasing policies

Lobby for provincial incentives to encourage local purchasing policies

Investigate the feasibility of regional branding to facilitate local purchasing

Create and publish a list of what is grown and/or processed in Delta

Encourage newspapers to include more coverage or a column on local agriculture and issues

Provide a “Champions of Farming” speakers list to Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and other groups and encourage presentations on agricultural issues

Pursue assistance from senior governments in the short term to farmers who are currently facing financial difficulties

Reinstate a local extension agrologist function that provided technical and production expertise to the agricultural sector in the past

Reinstate local provincial research in support of crops grown in Delta, specifically in relation to responses to cope with impending climate change