Tag Archives: ALR

LAND OPPORTUNITY: 1/2 acre for Vegetable or Flower Production – Penticton, BC

Posted by Haley Schonhofer on July 23, 2024

We always have new land opportunities coming into our inventory, some of which aren’t on our blog yet! Get in touch with a Land Matcher at bclmp@youngagrarians.org to learn about the latest opportunities and to access free B.C. Land Matching Program services in your region. ABOUT THE LAND Centrally located in Penticton just behind Munson Mountain, this half acre parcel is now available for lease! The current landholders have loved and used this land for small-scale vegetable and fruit production for years, successfully growing everything from garlic, beans and corn to strawberries and raspberries. Located in the Agricultural Land Reserve, … Continue reading LAND OPPORTUNITY: 1/2 acre for Vegetable or Flower Production – Penticton, BC →

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 →

FARM JOB: ABBOTSFORD, BC – Lead Farmer, Field House Farms – POSITION FILLED

Posted by Moss Dance on October 17, 2018

— THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED — Field House Farms is a multi-faceted farming project in Abbotsford, BC. They are looking for a Lead Farmer to manage their farm! ABOUT FIELD HOUSE FARMS Field House Brewing is an award winning craft brewery in Abbotsford. We have started a farm with the goal of growing produce to input into our beer and food program. For the 2018 season, We partnered with 3 different farm partners to lease local ALR land. JJ Mills was our boutique herb, hops, and berry farm on 0.25 acres in East Chilliwack. Maple Lanes was our 0.5 … Continue reading FARM JOB: ABBOTSFORD, BC – Lead Farmer, Field House Farms – POSITION FILLED →

ALR REVITALIZATION

Posted by Darcy Smith on March 01, 2018

Are you a farmer leasing ALR land? Have you come up against any challenges around housing regulations, taxation issues, or agricultural status? Are there ways you hope to see the ALR work better for you as a farm operator? Currently there is a review underway of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to enable B.C. farmers, farmland owners and the public to have an opportunity to have their voices heard this spring, and help revitalize the ALR. The ALR has two main mandates: protect farmland and promote farming. This review is framed by the Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham, to review … Continue reading ALR REVITALIZATION →

Consultation on Changes to the ALR – Opportunity to Provide Your Input by August 22

Posted by dennisjdennis on August 18, 2014

Public input on changes to the ALR closes on August 22 – only 4 more days to provide your feedback to the government. The whole process around Bill 24 has been highly problematic, yet I encourage everyone to take the time to voice your opinion!!! The online input form can be accessed here. The BC Food Systems Network released a document with their answers to the public input questions which is a great guide to better understanding the intricacies of what is being asked. Whether you take the same position as the BCFSN or not, it is a useful read … Continue reading Consultation on Changes to the ALR – Opportunity to Provide Your Input by August 22 →

Today’s GREAT #Farmers4ALR #Felfie

Posted by Sara Dent on April 11, 2014

We love it! Thank you Kelly Hodgins for posting a great #farmers4alr #felfie (felfie = farmer selfie, selfie = photo taken of you often but not always by you) on Twitter. Images like these get the message out that young farmers in BC want to protect the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and keep it for agriculture. For more information on this issue check out: https://youngagrarians.org/post-your-felfie-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 →