The second and third stages of the Sunshine Coast agricultural area plan are underway, and a number of ideas and suggestions for furthering local agriculture are now taking root.
With an initial background report completed, the next stages of the plan will determine the direction for agriculture on the Sunshine Coast, including identifying potential pilot projects and initiatives to help foster growth of local agriculture and farming in the region.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is hosting a series of open houses next week that will be held in four focus areas on the Coast.
"This first round of open houses will help refine a vision for local agriculture and, within each focus area, we'll begin addressing ways to focus on some of the opportunities and challenges identified in stage one," said SCRD general manager, planning and development Steve Olmstead.
The open houses will be held on Monday, July 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Eric Cardinall Hall and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Roberts Creek Hall; on Tuesday, July 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pender Harbour School of Music.
A second round of open houses will be offered this fall to delve deeper into potential market opportunities for expanding agricultural production and increasing food self-sufficiency on the Sunshine Coast.
"Not only will the agriculture area plan be an important guide to addressing the needs of our local agricultural community, but it will promote actions that will help to strengthen our economy and build resilience within our region," added SCRD board chair Garry Nohr.
See more details at www.scrd.ca/agriculture or via email [email protected].
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