The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has approved a region-wide plan for local agriculture.
Approval follows extensive public engagement since 2012 including focus group meetings, open houses, opinion surveys and polls and other community input.
The SCRD board provided final input into the Sun-shine Coast agricultural area plan following a review of potential responsibilities, costs and funding sources for implementation.
“Following the contributions of many, the Sunshine Coast now has a fresh and growing plan to increase coastal food production,” said SCRD agricultural advisory committee chair Dale Peterson. “It lays out a clear set of actions for realizing the community’s vision, aptly called ‘our growing opportunity,’ under six interrelated goals.”
The goals include:
• Protect farms, improve farming opportunities, and expand access to land for agriculture.
• Secure a sustainable water supply for agriculture.
• Develop a viable coastal food system.
• Educate and increase awareness of coastal food and agriculture.
• Advance and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
• Prepare for and adapt to climate change.
“The plan will form an integral part of a regional food sustainability strategy, regional food security plan, regional and local economic development plans, and integrate with various social, cultural, tourism plans and strategies relating to our community’s food system,” added SCRD planner Gregory Gebka.
As part of the Ag Plan, a short video was re-released in September featuring the past, present and future of farming on the Sunshine Coast. The public is encouraged to view the Ag Plan and video on the SCRD’s Ag Plan web page at www.scrd.ca/Ag-Plan, where an additional background report and other related information are available.
“Extensive community collaborations and contributions will be necessary to implement the Ag Plan,” added board chair Garry Nohr. “The SCRD will soon be inviting participation to form a regional steering committee to help oversee the Ag Plan.”
The Ag Plan was funded jointly by the SCRD through its regional planning function, and by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC through programs it delivers on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture.
The District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, the Sechelt Indian Government District and Islands Trust (Gambier Local Island Trust Committee) provided in-kind support for the project.
