There are as many opinions about how best to promote local farming as there are flowers to count in Victoria in spring. Some farmers seem skeptical (and you can hardly blame them) about how local governments can really help farmers and farming when so many of the issues they face are to them much more about rules and regulations at the regional, provincial and national levels. Such topics as farm assessments and tax regulations, land use and development, multi-nationals and agri-marketing, land values and availability, food inspection control/regulations, lack of local meat processing capability and transportation are just a few of the daunting challenges that many farmers and others believe do more to obstruct farming than encourage it.
Farmers and growers warn that if we (communities and governments) don't soon do something meaningful to make farming more viable, there will be no farms left to pass to next generations. Canadians will rely more and more heavily on multi-nationals and big box stores to provide off-shore food -- and we're told that can be a high risk dependency, especially here on Vancouver Island if there is ever a major catastrophe and all transportation links are severed.
These reasons and more are all part of the decision by North Saanich Council to take a pro-active approach to agriculture by becoming, I understand, the first municipality in the CRD to complete its agricultural area plan (I'm also told that Central Saanich is in the process of planning and Salt Spring Island completed their plan over a year ago). North Saanich's Plan involves five key strategies:
- economic viability
- leadership and governance
- protection and stewardship
- education and training
- community health
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Barb Brennan or Councilor Anny Scoones through the municipal hall at 250-656-0781.
