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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2018-09-27 agenda.pdfCity of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA Thursday, September 27, 7:00 pm Blaney Room, Maple Ridge City Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – June 28, 2018 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1. Reducing Particulate Matter Emissions due to Open Burning on Agricultural Lands  Darrell Wakelin, Environmental Control Officer, Metro Vancouver 4.2. A Comparison – Farmers Market, CSA, Food Hub  Al Kozak 5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1. Young Agrarian Land Matching 5.2. 2019 Business Planning 5.3. Planning Department Response to Terms of Reference Memo 5.4. Workshop and Event Updates 5.4.1. Ministry of Agriculture AAC Workshop 6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1. Education 6.2. Food Distribution 6.3. Food Garden Contest 6.4. Backyard Chicken 6.5. Golden Harvest 7. CORRESPONDENCE 7.1. Upcoming Events October 2, 2018 7:00 pm Food Garden Contest Presentation to Council Maple Ridge City Hall, Council Chambers Organizer: Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee October 12, 2018 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Golden Harvest The ACT Arts Centre Organizer: Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee Agricultural Advisory Committee Agenda September 27, 2018 Page 2 of 2 October 20, 2018 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Local Government Election Multiple Voting Locations Organizer: City of Maple Ridge 8. ROUNDTABLE 9. QUESTION PERIOD 10. ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting: October 25, 2018 Agenda Submission Deadline: October 11, 2018 QUESTION PERIOD Question Period provides the public with the opportunity to ask questions or make comments on subjects that are of concern to them. Each person will be given 2 minutes to speak. Up to ten minutes in total is allotted for Question Period. /aa City of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall on June 28, 2018, 2018 at 7:05 pm. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Craig Speirs City of Maple Ridge Stephanie James, Vice-Chair Agricultural Sector Al Kozak Agricultural Sector Bill Hardy Member at Large Candace Gordon Haney Farmers Market Society David Kaplan Member at Large Ian Brooks Member at Large Ryan Murphy Agricultural Sector STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Amelia Bowden Staff Liaison / Planning Department Amanda Allen Committee Clerk REGRETS Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Margaret Daskis, Chair Member at Large Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Caitlin Dorward Acting Regional Planner, Agricultural Land Commission Josef Hans Lara Economic Development Committee Representative Note: Margaret Daskis was not in attendance. Stephanie James chaired the meeting as Vice Chair. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA R/2018-026 It was moved and seconded That the June 28, 2018 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as circulated. CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES R/2018-027 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated May 17, 2018 be adopted. CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 2 of 4 4. DELEGATIONS - Nil 5. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil 6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. Farm Tour 2018 Bill Hardy provided a summary of tour ideas and possible themes. There was discussion on the farm tour sites. Ten sites were selected for consideration and members will be polled to identify the top six sites for the 2018 Farm Tour. Once the sites are selected, Mr. Hardy will work to contact them and design a travel plan. R/2018-028 It was moved and seconded That the Agricultural Advisory Committee authorize spending up to a maximum of $600 for the 2018 Farm Tour. CARRIED 6.2. Workshop and Event Updates 6.2.1. Metro Vancouver AAC Update The Vice-Chair advised that Metro Vancouver Agriculture awareness activities supported this year include two projects in Maple Ridge:  July 28 and 29, 2018 , a Country Fest display and speakers on ‘Backyard Farming’ hosted by the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association. As well, Metro Vancouver AAC is supporting the Poultry in Motion Educational Mini Barn at Country Fest.  August 11, 2018 at Brookfield Farm - “The Market goes to the Farm” hosted by the Haney Farmers Market Society. The Staff liaison advised that the BC Association of Farmer’s Markets and the Hua Foundation are presenting the mid-Autumn Harvest Festival at all 28 Farmer’s Markets in Metro Vancouver. The Staff liaison noted that the Metro Vancouver AAC appreciates receiving feedback on the events with which they provide support. 6.2.2. Ministry of Agriculture AAC Workshop The Staff liaison reported that information from the organizers has not yet been received. 6.2.3. Langley Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Invitation Al Kozak reported that he was unable to attend the June LSAF meeting and has been in contact with the coordinator. Mr. Kozak will make arrangements to attend a LSAF meeting next Spring. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 3 of 4 7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1. Backyard Chickens The Vice-Chair advised that Council approval for a public engagement process remains outstanding. The subcommittee will have a booth at Country Fest in July and plan to attend the Haney Farmers Market in August. Subcommittee work is underway on booth displays, surveys and handouts. 7.2. Education Al Kozak reported on the June 26, 2018 presentation to Council by the BC Micro License Association. Mr. Kozak suggested they be invited as a Delegation at a future meeting as they were knowledgeable about the legislation that could impact small farms. Mr. Kozak will follow up with the BC Micro License Association. 7.3. Food Distribution The Staff liaison advised that the Food Hub is not anticipated to proceed to Country Fest in July and that efforts will be refocused on stakeholder engagement over the Summer and Fall in order to wrap-up the final report. 7.4. Food Garden The Vice-Chair advised that six contest entries have been received to date. There was discussion on extending the application deadline date to July 15, 2018 while keeping the judging timelines and process the same. The Staff liaison encouraged members to continue promoting the Food Garden contest. R/2018-029 It was moved and seconded That the Food Garden application entry deadline date be extended to July 15, 2018. CARRIED 7.5. Golden Harvest The Vice Chair advised a coordinator has been selected for the Golden Harvest event. The Staff liaison advised that the venue has been secured and that the subcommittee will be meeting with the coordinator on July 9, 2018. 7.6. Terms of Reference The Staff liaison advised that the Agricultural Advisory Committee’s request has been submitted to the Planning Department and a response is expected to be on the agenda in the Fall. 8. CORRESPONDENCE – Nil Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes June 28, 2018 Page 4 of 4 9. ROUNDTABLE Ryan Murphy reported on irrigation activities at the Harris Road farm and that the Heritage raspberries are being harvested a week early. He reported that the farm is considering expanding their vegetable production in 2019 as the entire 2018 crop has sold out. Bill Hardy reported on his work with the Green Infrastructure and Natural Asset Inventory and Evaluation subcommittee. Mr. Hardy advised of his presentation to the subcommittee on Green Cities and that he has been elected as Chair of the subcommittee. Ian Brooks reported that his covered crops and beds are in rotation and that he has been finding a lot of bees and few slugs. Note: Councillor Speirs joined the meeting at 8:07pm. Al Kozak summarized the presentation delivered by the Golden Eagle Farm Group at the June 26, 2018 Council meeting. Councillor Speirs provided a summary of the recent ALR exclusion applications before Council and results from the Detached Garden Suite pilot program. Candace Gordon provided an update on the farmers and sales at the Haney Farmers Market and there was discussion on surveying Market attendees to determine the mode of transport used to attend. Ms. Gordon provided a report on the Nutrition Food Coupon program operating at the Haney Farmers Market. Amelia Bowden advised that Council, at the June 12, 2018 meeting, defeated the zone amending bylaw which proposed changes to agricultural setbacks. Ms. Bowden noted an update to the Committee on the Agricultural Development Permit Guidelines is anticipated in the Fall. Stephanie James provided an update on the development trend on ALR lands in her Ruskin neighbourhood over the past 18 months. 10. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil 11. ADJOURNMENT – 9:05 pm S. James, Vice Chair /aa Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 COVER LETTER August 31, 2018 Re: 2019 Lower Mainland Farmland Matchmaker Proposal To: City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, V2X 6A9 Contact: Councillor Craig Speirs, cspeirs@mapleridge.ca Dear City of Maple Ridge Council, Please find enclosed a Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley Land Matcher Proposal on behalf of Young Agrarians, a program of FarmFolk CityFolk Society. On May 17, 2018, the Young Agrarians Grow-a-Farmer program was presented to the Maple Ridge Agricultural Committee. A request was made at that time for a proposal for the Land Matching program work underway in the region. The Young Agrarians Land Matching Program has grown from one Land Matcher to five in 2018 because of support from the Province of British Columbia and regional funders throughout B.C. Moving forward into our next program cycle in 2019, I am outreaching to local government to ensure that we have new program partnerships in place for the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley region. I am requesting that the City of Maple Ridge consider coming on board as a funding partner in 2019, which will enable a Young Agrarians Land Matcher to build relationships with landowners in the area, and support new farmers to find farmland. I would like to request 1) a program endorsement, as well 2) a financial contribution for the 2019 program year in the amount of $10,000 - $15,000. We are looking to bring on 2-3 local government partners and already have confirmed support from Metro Vancouver. This is an exciting time to propose this type of program funding partnership to support new and young farmers to access farmland, and grow more new farmers in the City of Maple Ridge! Please let me know if there are any questions, or more information that can be provided. Thank you most kindly for your consideration, Sara Dent Young Agrarians BC Program Director Direct Line: 778-968-5518 Email: farm@youngagrarians.org Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 METRO VANCOUVER / FRASER VALLEY: LAND MATCHING PROGRAM PROPOSAL 2019 Young Agrarians, a program of FarmFolk CityFolk Society, is inviting local governments to participate in a region wide land matching program in 2019. A Land Matcher works to screen farmland opportunities and farmers ready to start farm businesses, facilitates matches and develops legal contracts between parties. In 2018, the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley Land Matcher will work to create 7-9 matches in the region, or 7-9 new farm businesses with secure leasing agreements. Program outreach has been conducted to municipalities throughout the Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley regions including to: the Township of Langley, City of Richmond, City of Surrey, City of Maple Ridge, Corporation of Delta, City of Pitt Meadows, City of North Vancouver, City of Vancouver and City of Abbotsford. Currently, the program is funded in the region by: the Bullitt Foundation, Metro Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Township of Langley and the City of Surrey. This funding support will carry forward till March 31, 2019. We are looking for two new program partners starting April 2019. Each year, we are able to build funding relationships that enable us to focus land inventory outreach activities in specific areas. Our aim in the next programming year, is to focus on the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Richmond. FARMER TESTIMONIAL In January 2016, the B.C. Land Matching Program began as a pilot program in partnership with the City of Surrey, and in collaboration with Quebec’s L’ARTERRE. The two-year pilot was funded by: Vancity, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, and the Ministry of Agriculture under Growing Forward II, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Since this time, we have been fortunate to continue to build the program, and offer the service in the region through strategic funding partnerships. The B.C. Land Matching program works to provide a tried and true land matching methodology to address the number one barrier for new farmers: access to land. In 2018 we have been fortunate to expand from one to five Land Matchers, offering this land ‘extension’ support service across Southern B.C., where the land base is most expensive. ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LAND MATCHER • Respond to inquiries from landowners and new farmers; • Screen new farmers who want to start new farm businesses for enterprise readiness, and connect them to business planning and support to develop their agricultural projects; • Assist landowners to evaluate their land opportunities for agricultural viability and clarify their land usage vision and terms; 
 Roger Woo, a new farmer, and David Feldhaus, land owner – after signing a lease in Port Kells, Surrey. Darcy Smith, Young Agrarians’ first Land Matcher, facilitated the process. From Roger: “I knew I wanted to farm in BC, but I saw significant challenges to acquiring appropriate farmland in the area [Lower Mainland], both in terms of finding the land and in cultivating relationships with landowners. I know there are people out there who have land, and people who want land, but we aren't necessarily able to make the connections ourselves. Young Agrarians excels at opening up avenues for those relationships to begin. Through the Land Matching Program, I’ve been able to find a supportive landowner who has agreed to let me farm his land. I’ve also found that by getting involved with Young Agrarians, I am now connected into the local agriculture community, and have accessed a wide variety of farm resources. Young Agrarians connects people to land, and ultimately facilitates relationships - which is the most important piece in building sustainable, local food sheds. I came to this process with my farm dream, and have received step-by-step support to make it a reality.” Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 • Register landowners land opportunities and farmers looking for land on the YA UMAP (maps.youngagrarians.org) digital land listing inventory; • Provide hands-on, personalized, matchmaking to support land seekers to find the most suitable land opportunities for their farm projects; and support landowners to find the most suitable farmer(s) for their land opportunities; 
 • Facilitate introductions and site visits; 
 • When a match is identified, facilitate negotiations between parties; 
 • Provide a final lawyer reviewed contract between land matches; 
 • Follow-up to ensure good land matches; 
 • Coordinate an annual Land Linking Event in the Metro Vancouver area to grow the base of engaged and informed landowners, and new and potential farmers; 
 • Disseminate digital resource tools: BC Land Access Guide, Lease & License Templates; 
 • Publish on-going land opportunities and resource content on the YA Blog. 2019 SUCCESS & IMPACT INDICATORS • # of land matches (7-9) • # of people reached through email, phone and in person (100-250) 
 • # of people reached online through land communications
(5,000-10,000) • # of people that attend annual Land Linking Forum (50-150) • # of downloads and print copies disseminated of the BC Land Access Guide, Lease & License templates (250-500) • # of new listings on U-MAP
(25-50) • # of additional Land resources added to U-MAP (5-10) PROGRAM GOALS • Support new and young farmers to access tenured land agreements to start viable farm businesses; 
 • Ensure that existing farmland continues to be farmed, and underutilized agricultural lands are put into production; • Support Metro Vancouver area local governments to meet OCP and regional agricultural planning goals, and thus increase farming activities and support new entrants; • Continue to grow the service across Southern BC through strategic partnerships with government. BUDGET: PROJECTED EXPENSES 1 Land Matcher @ 28hrs per week x 52 weeks x $30/hr. $43,680 Mileage & Travel $2,500 Venue & Food, Equipment & Supplies $2,000 Advertising, Promotions & Printing $1,000 Legal $3,500 Administration 10% $5,268 TOTAL $57,948 On the following pages you will find more background information on Young Agrarians, the B.C. Land Matching Program, and research on the economic potential of supporting new farms in the region. Please contact me with any questions or ideas you may have about this proposal. Thank you most kindly for your time. Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 ABOUT YOUNG AGRARIANS Young Agrarians was established January 2012 as a program partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society (FFCF). FFCF is a non-profit, registered charity with 25 years of experience supporting sustainable agriculture in B.C. Young Agrarians has been fortunate to grow from a seed into a tree under the auspices of FFCF. As of April 1, 2019, Young Agrarians will officially operate as its own federally registered charity, to support the work as it grows across B.C. and Canada. The mission of Young Agrarians (YA) is to grow the next generation of farmers and food lovers in Canada. YA is a farmer2farmer resource network that delivers a year round Grow-a-Farmer Strategy focused on practical and cost-effective program solutions: 1) a robust online engagement and communications strategy, 2) networking & educational events on and off farms, 3) business mentorships, and 4) land access programming. Our role is to grow the agricultural sector by supporting new entrants. In B.C., YA is now the largest network of new, young and potential farmers (1600+). To date, YA has hosted 145 educational and networking events, facilitated 46 Business Mentorships and made 10 land matches. The YA program platform was formally adopted by Organic Alberta in 2016, which offers YA events, and an on-farm, YA Apprenticeship Program. At the national level, YA is engaged online with a dynamic audience of new and potential farmers and friends through Facebook (11,260), Instagram (9,730), Twitter (6,250), and our popular blog (average 4200 users per month). From coast to coast, North to South, Young Agrarians has 2900 email subscribers. WHO ARE YOUNG AGRARIANS? A young agrarian is a new and potential entrant into the agricultural sector. Ranging from 20-40 years of age, Young Agrarians are new farmers, ranchers, holistic managers, orchardists, market gardeners, seed growers and more. From the city to the country, Young Agrarians aspire to reinvigorate agriculture in Canada through sustainable farming practices. PROGRAM RATIONALE While interest in local food is growing, the Canadian agricultural system is in transition. In 2016, the average farmer was 55 years of age, while farmers under the age of 35 represent 9.1% of total farmers1, up slightly from 8.2% in 2011. The long-term viability of primary producers in our food system depends on the ability of the sector to attract and retain new entrants. Unfortunately, new farmers face significant entry barriers that prevent them from establishing new farms. Research conducted by the National New Farmers Coalition, in partnership with the University of Manitoba in 2015 (1326 survey respondents), indicated that the majority of new farmers in Canada came from non-farming backgrounds (68%), have a lack of start-up equity, and face significant challenges because of the high cost of land and tight profit margins. As well, many retiring farmers and farmland owners feel very passionate about wanting their land to stay in production. Sixty-six percent of farmers plan to retire in the next 10 years2, but only 1 in 12 farm operators in Canada have succession plans3. To address these trends, YA has focused on delivering programming to support new entrants. As per the 2016 Census of Agriculture, we know that the work we are doing is part of the solution. For the first time since 1991, we are seeing an increase in the number of new farmers under 35 in Canada, with 28% of those new farm operators in BC (204 total). Since 1991, the number of young farmers started a steep 1 Statistics Canada. Census of Agriculture. 2016: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2017010-eng.htm 2 CFIB, Business Succession Planning Survey, Agri-business results, Mar. - May 2011, 602 survey responses. 3 Statistics Canada. Tables 004-0200 to 004-0246 - Census of Agriculture (2011-2016), CANSIM (database). Even though family farmers continue to get older, only one in 12 operators reported having a formal succession plan laying out how the operation will be transferred to the next generation of farmers. Corporations (mostly family corporations) are more likely to have succession plans (16.3%) than sole proprietorships (4.9%). Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 decline, falling from 77,910 to 24,120 by 2011; as of 2016, there has been an increase of 730 farm operators under 35, bringing the national number to 24,850. In the Metro Vancouver area, 2016 Census of Agriculture Stats indicate that there are 225 farmers under 35 in the region, 1235 between 35-54, and 2065 in the 55 plus category, for a total number of farm operators at 3525. LAND ACCESS IN SOUTHERN BC Southern BC has some of the most expensive farmland in Canada. While ownership is the preferred land access model for new farmers, many cannot afford the cost of land in the region. New farmers are thus forced to innovate to access tenured land agreements for business viability. To work towards solutions to this, YA delivers ‘landlinking’ workshops to facilitate connections between landholders and new farmers. The goal is to create public education focused on putting land into, returning it to, or keeping it in food production. We have delivered 19 workshops across Southern BC with approximately 1,050 participants. We also disseminate a BC Land Access Guide, Lease and License legal templates with 8,480 electronic and hard copies circulated since 2013. “Thank you for hosting the Land Linking Workshop last week, which I found very helpful. We were fortunate to connect with a young couple that has met with us since and we are discussing a co- operative effort in which they can utilize some of our land, infrastructure and equipment to help them get their farming initiative started. Keep up the good work!” Al Kozak, Duende Farm, Maple Ridge, BC B.C. LAND MATCHING PROGRAM Due to the growing demand for land extension support services to find viable, tenured land opportunities, navigate regulations, and create long-term legal agreements, YA has developed a Land Matching Program Pilot to test the waters in B.C. We began small in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley with one Land Matcher to trial the methodology, develop our organizational expertise, build up inventory of available land and enterprise ready farmers, and put strategic partnerships in place to scale up delivery over time. We are excited that our program now has five Land Matchers and is providing land extension support across Southern B.C. THE QUEBC MODEL Quebec’s L’ARTERRE (formerly Banque de terres) began in 2011 as a service offered in Brome-Missisquoi county. After successfully establishing the first “Land Matcher”, the program has now been adopted by 50 counties. Counties have dedicated Land Matchers that establishes in year 2 to year 3 develop an average of 7-9 matches per year. L’ARTERRE is provincially coordinated by CRAAQ (Quebec Reference Center for Agriculture and Agri-food) and will continue to grow to more farmable Counties in Quebec. Due to the success of the L’ARTERRE, and the positive initial response to our pilot in B.C., YA is currently conducting outreach to more local governments to determine the level of interest in jointly funding and sustaining the service. The goal is to develop long-term strategic partnerships with different levels of government to support on going programming activities. Ideally, we can continue to serve where our new farmer networks are established and farmers define the cost of land as a key barrier to entering agriculture. These areas include the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Okanagan/Thompson, and Columbia Basin. Currently, the relatively lower cost of land in Central and Northern BC means that this initative has not been identified as necessary in those regions. On the following page, there is a summary of the benefits of small-scale agriculture in the region aggregated from research papers. In our estimation, small-scale farms focused on direct markets, have a significant return on investment because of their contribution to local food economies. They demonstrate sustainable farming practices, provide volunteer opportunities, create jobs, increase regional farm receipts, and with the multiplier effect- have significant economic potential on a per acre basis. Now is the time to invest in the next generation of farmers! Young Agrarians is a partnership with FarmFolk CityFolk Society 2nd floor-1661 Duranleau St, Net Loft, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3 E: farm@youngagrarians.org W: youngagrarians.org P: 778-968-5518 BENEFITS OF URBAN & SMALL-SCALE AGRICULTURE Due to the high cost of land and inputs- many new and young farmers from non-farming families have to start on small acreages to enter the sector. As per reviewing data on farming revenues in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, there is a considerable range per acre of gross revenues from $20,000- $25,000/acre to $100,000+/acre; this depends on the type of production underway, markets accessed, and number of years in operation. On a per acre basis, diversified farm operations selling direct seem to have higher gross revenue potential, over time, than single commodity crop production grown for wholesale markets. Small lot agriculture enables new entrants to get their feet wet, and potentially scale up over time. There is a growing body of research that indicates that small-scale farms have significant economic impact for the region through the multiplier effect. While region-specific multipliers have not been calculated, B.C. Stats has estimated provincial multipliers for different sectors. For instance, every million dollar increase in regional farm sales will create 14 new jobs in the regional economy4. Vancouver Urban Farming Society has been assessing, evaluating and monitoring the Vancouver urban farming community for the past three years. According to the Vancouver Urban Farming Census 2014-2016, of the 13 farms that participated and grow on approximately seven acres, with a total of $750,000 in food sales, these farms contribute 1.9 million in economic benefits (averaging out to $107,142/per acre). This also includes $18,000 in food donations, and accounts for $680,000 in wages. “While the food sales figure of nearly $750,000 in 2016 is impressive, the total economic impact of these sales is even more significant. Numerous studies show the powerful potential economic multiplier effect of buying local food. Though highly dependent on the locale and commodity in question, the baseline established in peer-reviewed research for buying local food suggests each purchase in Canada and the US has a multiplier effect of 1.4- 2.6 throughout the wider local economy. Food products produced on small-scale farms, like those in Vancouver, create the highest multiplier effect (Meter, 20085). Using these numbers as a guide, the total economic benefit of Vancouver urban farm food sales was an estimated $1.9 million in 2016.” The volunteer data kept by some of the farms that participated in the Vancouver Urban Farming Census also indicates a significant social benefit to the local communities involved in the farm. “Over 9,000 volunteer hours, from roughly 300 volunteers supported urban farming in the City in recent years. On just four farms who kept such data, 15,000 youth, adults, and neighbours came through the farm to engage in field trips, programs, and outdoor activities on the farms. This is an important impact of urban farming on our City—to provide opportunities for people to engage with and eat healthy, fresh food. The City’s largest landowners (the City itself, Parks Board, School Board and hospitals), are exploring how to host urban farming programs on their sites to increase the beneficial impact to the community.” Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s research paper titled Surrey’s Underutilized ALR Lands—An Analysis of their Economic, Job Creation, and Food Production Potential in Direct Market Agriculture highlights the following potential economic benefits: • 1 acre farms have the potential to create up to 1.29 FTE jobs and generate between $31,165 and $54,813 in gross revenue, or up to $36,968 in return to owner-operator. Using the multiplier effect (1.4-2.6), that equals on the low end ($31,165) a range of $43,631 - $81,029 and on the high end ($54,813) a range of $76,738 - $142,513 in total economic benefit to the community per acre • 280 acres of underutilized ALR lands owned by the City of Surrey have the potential to contribute over $15.3 million in gross revenue to Surrey’s economy. The enterprises on this land could create between 100 and 136 full time equivalent jobs. • 3,339 acres of underutilized ALR land in the City of Surrey have the potential to contribute over $183 million in gross revenue to Surrey’s economy. This would more than double the economic magnitude of the industry. The enterprises on this land could create between 1,188 and 1,623 full time equivalent jobs. 4http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/PlanningPublications/ProfileofMetroVancouversagri- foodindustry.pdf 5 Meter, K. 2008. “Local Food as Economic Development.” Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Crossroads Resource Center). http://www.crcworks.org/lfced.pdf Agricultural Advisory Committee - Business Plan 2019 – 2023 Excerpt Ongoing Deliverables  Provide Council with advice and direction on agricultural issues and projects.  Organize Golden Harvest  Support the Food Garden Contest  Support the development of educational displays and speakers  Produce web-based information linking consumers with local products  Build Relationships in the following ways:  Continue Grant Application Process  Support Country Fest, 4H Clubs, and the Maple Ridge Garden Club  Support the Haney Farmers Market Society.  Hold Farmer Education Awards and Agricultural Recognition Awards  Receive updates from the Economic Development Department and the Economic Development Commission  Invited and active representation on the Metro Vancouver Agricultural Advisory Committee  Annual events with neighbouring Agricultural Advisory Committees and Metro Vancouver Agricultural Advisory Committee  Committee development through conferences, tours, and other events  Support and attend Intersections Networking Event  Connect with like-minded local agencies and non-profit organizations Prior Years’ Deliverables  Grant Program - Country Fest - $1200  Host an Agri-Tourism Summit in partnership with Economic Development and other agri- tourism groups to develop a coordinated marketing approach for locally grown agricultural products.  Complete Development Permit Area Guidelines to protect agricultural land.  Complete a Needs Assessment on the feasibility of a food hub. This assessment requires the services of a consultant. Results will be reported to Council.  Continue to work with Economic Development and other organizations to develop an effective approach to continue use of the True North Fraser brand. On hold.  Develop a backyard chickens program to permit the keeping of chickens in residential areas. Results will be reported to Council. New Deliverables for 2019  Review and establish priorities for new projects in the development and implementation of the Agricultural Plan. %?'" ; i!/'')91' ;,, f Si '~ ;; I S : 'ril%tJJUfR 0 mJ m·~'g, ': ''x :<i! 4 v: % " ,, 0 0 August 31, 2018 Dear Chair Daskis: Subject: AAC Request to Staff via Staff Liaison, July 9, 2018 Thank you for your memo via the Staff Liaison regarding the request of the AAC that the Committee be informed of all land use policies or changes that may impact agriculture or agricultural practices in the City. I understand that the Committee is interested in being advised of land use or policy changes that may impact agricultural land. The Committee resolution refers to both policies and reference to major development or recreational activities. As you are aware, the purpose of the Committee is to advise Council on matters referred to it by Council, or matters identified in the work program which have been approved by Council. As a bit of background, the Agricultural Advisory Committee was created following the adoption of the Agricultural Plan. Council created a Council Sub-Committee comprised of members of Council; the Director of Planning; the Manager of Community Planning (who was myself); and a Senior Planner. Over the course of a couple months, this group prepared the draft Bylaw that was later adopted by Council. The Bylaw was again reviewed in January 2015 by a Council Advisory Committee Task Force, and the review reaffirmed the role of the Agricultural Advisory Committee. As you are likely aware, all Council Committees are created subject to Council Policy 3.11 Committees of Council Policy. This policy specifically notes that the purpose of all Committees is not to establish policy, but to act in an advisory capacity to Council. The policy does not grant any Committee of Council the authority to provide unsolicited comment on a development/ALR application (the exception to this is the Advisory Design Panel which is a professional Committee of Architects and Landscape Architects appointed by their Professional bodies). Rather Council has the ability to refer any matter it choses to the Committee. If the intent of your memo is to provide input to development or ALR applications, it is clear that City policies and Bylaws would not support this. However, the AAC Bylaw clearly provides the Committee the authority to make recommendations on agricultural policies relating to agricultural land and land use in agricultural areas. Based on this, Planning staff have made it a practice to consult with the Committee when drafting relevant Bylaw amendments or policies. Furthermore, we recognize that the Committee can best influence the processing of applications by ensuring that the City has sound policy and regulation to guide the review of applications. Recent examples include consulting with the AAC Committee on proposed changes to the Agricultural setbacks in the Zoning Bylaw and on the Draft Agricultural Development Permit Guidelines. In these instances, the Committee was very helpful and I thank you for your assistance with these matters. It is staff's intention to continue to collaborate with the Committee on such matters. City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 Canada , Tel: 604-463-5221 , Fax: 604-467-7329 enquiries@mapleridge.ca • www.mapleridge.ca 100% Recycled Paper If the intent of your request is to keep abreast of applications, I would recommend that the Committee advise the staff Liaison of projects you would be interested in learning about, noting that this material would be provided as information, and would not be considered a formal referral to the Committee. Over the years, I have observed that one of the best mechanisms for sharing information with Council is to have the Council Liaison report out on Committee discussions, or share the Committees comments when speaking to an issue. I would encourage the Committee to continue working with the Council Liaison to share your voice with Council. I am pleased to read that Mr. Stott will be attending your October meeting to discuss environmental initiatives occurring in the Department, and with the Environmental Advisory Committee. I believe that this type of knowledge sharing is beneficial for both Committee members and staff, and encourage this type of information sharing. I trust this letter answers your questions. Should you have any further questions, or seek clarification on anything, please let me know. Yours truly, Christine Carter, M.PL., MCIP, RPP Director of Planning cc Staff Liaison, Amanda Grochowich Councillor C. Speirs 100% Recycled Paper