Corporation of Delta Agricultural Area Plan

Topic	Sub-topic	Policy or Policy Excerpt	Document Location
food processing, storage and distribution;	food processing; farm diversification;	Encourage and facilitate local on-farm processing opportunities with on-farm regulatory processes and requirements that encourage diversification	5.1.1
food processing, storage and distribution;	food processing;	Investigate the feasibility of attracting processors for local crops by providing financial incentives and serviced locations. Identify and target appropriate scale niche and value chain opportunities presented by the Delta agricultural sector	5.1.1
food processing, storage and distribution;	food processing; tax mechanisms;	Investigate the feasibility of attracting processors using a revitalization tax exemption program bylaw	5.1.1
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Lobby for the incorporation of on-farm value-added as eligible farm income for farm tax assessment purposes.	5.1.1
policy partnerships, advocacy and development; water management	water rate for agriculture; irrigation and drainage; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Advocate with Metro Vancouver for regional bulk water rates for agriculture (e.g., Capital Regional District) or otherwise reduce the cost of municipal water to farmers)	5.1.2
	climate change and greenhouse gases;	Investigate the feasibility of alternative fuel technologies (e.g., cogeneration) to support farm operations and reduce GHG emissions	5.1.2
economic development;		Encourage farmer buying groups for inputs (fertilizer, lime, feed, other inputs)	5.1.2
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;; land access;	leasing of land for agriculture; farmland trust; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Advocate for a regional agricultural trust to acquire agricultural land and provide affordable long term leases to farmers.	5.1.2
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising; climate change and greenhouse gases;	Lobby senior governments to investigate and research opportunities and create incentives for farmers to reduce GHG emissions.	5.1.2
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	tax mechanisms;	Lobby the Province to investigate farmstead provisions that would tax agricultural buildings and improvements of bona fide farmers at a lower agricultural rate or provide tax exemptions for farm improvements (e.g., New York State, North Dakota).	5.1.2
development and productive use of agricultural land;	deposit of fill and dumping;	Identify areas where dumping of waste on agricultural lands is occurring, improve frequency of clean-up, and increase bylaw enforcement	5.1.3
education;	recreational use of agricultural land; signage is agricultural areas;	Review and maintain signage and provide education material to recreational users that they are in an agricultural area and that agricultural activities are acceptable	5.1.3
urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;	nuisance complaints; covenants; residential development; disclosure agreement;	Require notification/disclosure on property transactions adjacent to agricultural lands that purchasers may expect normal farm practices, possibly through a covenant	5.1.3
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising; farm diversification;	Assist farmers to navigate the regulatory requirements in pursuing innovative projects (e.g., energy and waste management technologies), on-farm value added and diversification	5.1.4
	climate change and greenhouse gases;	Work with farmers to develop technological and land based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural practices and to make farm business more resilient to future impacts of climate change by investing in adaptation strategies for agriculture.	5.1.4
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Support farmers in dealings with federal and provincial agencies, such as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and BC Ministry of Environment, to ensure that conditions for efficient agriculture are enhanced, and specifically work toward “agriculture-friendly” protocols for ditch and dike maintenance that protect the environment and are timely, reasonable and feasible from an agricultural perspective	5.1.5
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Build agricultural understanding in municipal Hall with agriculturally qualified staff (e.g., professional agrologist), information sessions, tours and dialogue	5.1.5
wildlife, environmental and pest management;	BC environmental farm plan;	Encourage environmental farm planning, the adoption of beneficial management practices, and other environmental initiatives to reduce environmental risks and regulatory compliance costs	5.1.5
water management;	crops; food processing; irrigation and drainage;	Ensure municipal water is accessible to support high valued crops production and on-farm processing.	5.2.1
water management;	irrigation and drainage;	Continue to improve agricultural drainage and irrigation	5.2.1
urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;	farm traffic;	Continue to work with the farming community to explore options to improve agricultural vehicle movement (e.g., through the Highways Bylaw)	5.2.2
economic development;	new entrants to farming; farm diversification;	In collaboration with Metro Vancouver, neighbouring municipalities and BCMA, investigate options for providing agrologist services to assist start up farmers and identify funding sources to pursue new business ideas.	5.3.1
education;	new entrants to farming; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Enhance relationships with Delta farmers, secondary and post-secondary education institutions, agricultural academies, ministries and associations to facilitate events and initiatives to provide new/young farmers with training, mentoring, technical expertise, production knowledge, and access to agricultural programs that would promote knowledge transfer and build capacity in smaller scale farming	5.3.1
economic development;	farm diversification;	Explore and support farming models that develop stronger connections between the farming community and the local marketplace and encourage new types of agricultural enterprise, such as community supported agriculture, cooperatives, local food alliances, and community networks.	5.3.1
education;	new entrants to farming;	Support on-farm internship programs (e.g., Canadian Farm Business Management Council, CRAFTOntario program, WWOOF Canada	5.3.1
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Lobby senior governments for the development of family trust legislation to facilitate transfer of farmland between generations	5.3.1
land access;	leasing of agricultural land; new entrants to farming;	Investigate incentives to encourage active farmland use, by improving access by aspiring and landless farmers, spurring existing non-farming farmland owners to lease out their land, exploring agricultural trusts, and encouraging longer lease terms.	5.3.2
land access;	leasing of agricultural land; new entrants to farming;	Make municipal and Crown land available for farming under lease to young farmers and new entrants.	5.3.2
land access;	farmland trust;	Explore new relationships with existing land trusts (e.g., Ducks Unlimited, The Land Conservancy), to increase access to farmland by farmers.	5.3.2
development and productive use of agricultural land;	soil; ALR; deposit of fill and dumping;	Improve enforcement of existing regulations in farming areas including soil filling, storage, waste dumping, and maintenance of agricultural properties, engaging the AAC to assist in spotting violations and problem areas	5.3.3
development and productive use of agricultural land;	farmland speculation; ALR;	Explore financial mechanisms to address farmland speculation and deter non-agricultural development on farmland.	5.3.3
urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning; education;	nuisance complaints; ALR; residential development;	Educate rural-residential property owners about normal impacts associated with adjacent agricultural operations and create awareness among realtors and non-agricultural property purchasers of farming activities in the ALR	5.3.3
land access;	covenants farmland trust	Encourage agricultural and other land trusts to make their farmland available to Delta famers without covenants that restrict its agricultural use.	5.3.3
education;	local food culture; community food system education;	Build on existing farmer-supported agricultural awareness events such as “Farm Hike by Bike” (Earthwise) or “A Day at the Farm”, Delta Farm Tours, and “Meet Your Maker” events, work with local tourism/hospitality industry to initiate ‘taste of Delta’ food promotions at Delta restaurants and hotels, and other opportunities for the public to experience local food and agriculture	5.4.1
education;	community food system education;	Develop a multi-partner communications plan to engage farm groups e.g. by creating contact lists of farmers and farmers organizations willing to educate the public, distributing a “Champions of Farming” speakers list to the Rotary Club, Delta Chamber of Commerce and other groups, encouraging presentations on agricultural issues and to engage the public, (e.g., agricultural awareness events, newspaper coverage, crop information, and farm field identification.	5.4.1
urban agriculture; education;	community food system education; urban gardens/orchard;	Support and expand opportunities for community gardens/urban agriculture demonstrations to promote agricultural awareness, through additional funding , supportive bylaws and provision of land	5.4.1
economic development;	research and data collection;	Encourage reports and research that show what the returns to farmers are on agricultural products, where the food dollar goes in the food chain, and the cost of food in relation to other staples in the community	5.4.1
education; urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;	signage in agricultural areas; farm traffic;	Review and expand signage to identify agricultural areas, what is grown in those areas, and indicate respect for farm traffic.	5.4.1
wildlife, environmental and pest management;	wildlife and ecosystem management; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Engage with the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DFWT) to promote initiatives to foster public awareness of how farmland sustains wildlife and habitat and to build support for more equitable sharing of the costs of providing ecological goods and services.	5.4.2
wildlife, environmental and pest management; policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	wildlife nad ecosystem management; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Lobby senior governments for programs to compensate farmers for wildlife crop damage, through participation in federal –provincial waterfowl damage compensation programs.	5.4.2
development and productive use of agricultural land; policy partnerships, advocacy and development;;	wildlife and ecosystem management; partnerships and advocacy;	Lobby the ALC, provincial ministries, BC EAO and CEAA to develop a better framework for addressing loss of land base due to public infrastructure works, transportation projects, land claims, wildlife and fisheries policy, incorporating compensation and mitigation to offset the negative impact on agriculture.	5.4.2
wildlife, environmental and pest management;	research and data collection; wildlife and ecosystem management;	Support research into integrated farm-level strategies to mitigate the potential for damages from waterfowl.	5.4.2
wildlife, environmental and pest management; policy partnerships, advocacy and development;;	wildlife and ecosystem management; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Advocate with Metro Vancouver to establish a program to compensate farmers for ecological goods and services that agricultural land provides (e.g. creating a regional levy)	5.4.2
wildlife, environmental and pest management; policy partnerships, advocacy and development;	wildlife and ecosystem management; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;	Work with environmental agencies to develop effective ways of managing agriculturally sustainable wildlife populations	5.4.2
economic development;	local food culture;	Work with Metro Vancouver and other lower Mainland municipalities to investigate the feasibility of regional branding for agricultural products, developing a “buy regional” policy for local governments, and engaging businesses, schools, government agencies, and institutions to participate.	5.4.3
	climate change and greenhouse gases; research and development ; crops;	Pursue opportunities to re-instate on-farm field trials function, specifically in relation to crops grown in Delta and responses to cope with impending climate change	5.4.3
economic development;	tax mechanisms; climate change and greenhouse gases;	Explore on-farm carbon tax and sequestration responses that would provide economic benefits to farming.	5.4.3