Tag Archives: Agricultural Land Reserve

SURVEY: ALR’s Influence on B.C. Farmers

Posted by JoHana Harcourt on April 19, 2024

Calling all B.C. Farmers! Do you have insights or interest in ALR regulations? Frank Niu, a master’s degree student in the program of Environment and Management at Royal Roads University, is conducting research on the Agricultural Land Reserve (the ALR) in British Columbia. The research intends to focus on the ALR‘s influence on B.C. farmers. Some compelling cases have been reported by news media in recent years, such as the Rusted Rake Restaurant, or the Petey’s Pumpkin Patch story. There could be an overregulation issue during the enforcement of the ALR (a hypothesis in the study). Therefore, the researcher wants … Continue reading SURVEY: ALR’s Influence on B.C. Farmers →

Supporting B.C. Farmers in the ALR: Public Engagement Report Recap and Call for Feedback

Posted by Hailey Troock on February 04, 2020

Call for Feedback on B.C. Government’s Proposed Changes to Legislation for Housing on ALR Land Between September 19 and November 15, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture undertook public consultations to continue to address how to strengthen farming in B.C. The findings can be downloaded here. In 2019, the Province of B.C. implemented new regulations on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) through Bill 52. In response to public feedback on the new regulations, the Ministry has “started policy work on several residential options, while continuing to prioritize preserving the land to be used for farming or ranching. The Policy Intentions Paper … Continue reading Supporting B.C. Farmers in the ALR: Public Engagement Report Recap and Call for Feedback →

Update from Southern Vancouver Island: Regional Food and Farmland Trust

Posted by Michalina Hunter on July 04, 2019 4 Comments

An update from the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiative Roundtable (CRFAIR) This spring the Capital Regional District (CRD) completed a Foodlands Access Program Feasibility Study (‘the Study’), the completion of which was recommended in the Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy. The purpose of the Study was to determine the best way to increase farmers’ access to land in the CRD. With input from new and established farmers, non-profits, existing incubator farm programs, local farmland trusts and local/provincial government representatives, the Study examined seven land access tools. One strategy is to create a local government supported, Regional Food and Farmland … Continue reading Update from Southern Vancouver Island: Regional Food and Farmland Trust →

What’s New with Bill 52: Changes to the ALR

Posted by Darcy Smith on March 11, 2019 2 Comments

UPDATE JANUARY 27, 2020: In response to public feedback on Bill 52, the Ministry of Agriculture undertook public consultations in the fall of 2019. Those consultations resulted in a report and policy intentions paper that outline proposed policy changes – check out our recap on the suggested changes, and be sure to provide your input for policy consideration! ———- The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) was established in 1973 to protect 4.7 million hectares of land in BC for agriculture – less than 5% of the province’s total land base. The ALR is managed by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). In 2018, … Continue reading What’s New with Bill 52: Changes to the ALR →

July 28: Richard Bullock on the Future of BC Agriculture, Richmond, BC

Posted by Anna Railings on July 06, 2015

Join KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Food Systems for an evening in conversation with former Chair of BC’s Agricultural Land Commission, Okanagan farmer, and long-time proponent of BC agriculture, Mr. Richard Bullock. Bullock will share his vision for a strong BC agriculture future and give guidance on actions that can be taken towards it. The event will feature an opportunity for audience Q&A. Please register for FREE on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/richard-bullock-on-the-future-of-bc-agriculture-tickets-17521204394 Date & Time: Tuesday, July 28, 7-9pm Location: KPU Richmond Campus Room: Melville Centre for Dialogue (2550A) NOTE: KPU Richmond Campus is easily accessible on transit via the Canada Line (Lansdowne … Continue reading July 28: Richard Bullock on the Future of BC Agriculture, Richmond, BC →

Science says… Farm the Kootenays!!!

Posted by Laura Hannant on November 20, 2014 1 Comment

Jumping on the opportunity to research farmland in the West Kootenay By Rachael Roussin, UBC Master of Land and Water Systems Rachael Roussin is a passionate food systems advocate, a Rossland REAL Food co-founder, and a former Rossland Mountain Farmers’ Market manager. As a UBC Master of Land and Water Systems student, Rachael jumped on the chance to explore West Kootenay food systems issues. Her research into the region’s agricultural potential offers a unique perspective on realizing untapped capacity for local food production. I am a true believer in the value that increased local agricultural offers to our communities, economy … Continue reading Science says… Farm the Kootenays!!! →

Naked on the Bluff #farmers4ALR

Posted by Sara Dent on April 18, 2014

I was thrilled for this photo to come in last week! Thank you to the young farmers at Sea Bluff Farms in Metchosin on Vancouver Island, for being brave enough to send this out over the airwaves. It caused quite a stir. The CBC found it and CKNW interviewed us yesterday to find out more about this ‘social media movement’ of young farmers posting felfies (farmer selfies) for the ALR. Its phenomenal to see what a photo, with a message added to it can do in social media land these days. Keep sending in your photos dear farmers! Bill 24 … Continue reading Naked on the Bluff #farmers4ALR →

Loosing Ground: Soil Scientists Raise Concerns About Potential Loss of Agricultural Land at Recent Workshop

Posted by Sara Dent on April 03, 2014

April 2, 2014 – NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Vancouver, B.C. – Concerns about the future of the Agricultural Land Reserve in BC were highlighted at a March 29th workshop hosted by the Pacific Regional Society of Soil Science (PRSSS), a non-profit organization for professionals and students in the field of soil science and land resource management. Themed on the intergenerational transfer of knowledge, the workshop drew soil scientists from around the province to discuss complex issues related to land use management and soil science, with a particular focus on the ALR. The workshop also honoured the life and contributions of Gary Runka (1938-2013), first … Continue reading Loosing Ground: Soil Scientists Raise Concerns About Potential Loss of Agricultural Land at Recent Workshop →