Open Burning Alternatives for Agricultural Producers in BC

(2022-2023)

Disposing of vegetative material is a common task on the day-to-day operations of any farm. Upland was contracted by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food to develop this guidebook to provide potential reuses of vegetative waste materials both on farm and off. Often the ability to burn is restricted by provincial and local regulations. In addition, chipping and composting debris can create beneficial materials for the farm operation. Processing vegetative material, rather than burning it, can create beneficial products, such as compost, mulch, and sawdust, that can be used on the farm and help to reduce input costs.

 The Guidebook is hosted on the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.

Regenerative Agriculture Extension Services

(2023)

Upland was contracted by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food to complete a scan of Regenerative Agriculture extension services. Regenerative agriculture is a holistic, circular approach to farming that strives to improve the health of agroecosystems and the natural ecosystems that support them. The project had the following three objectives:

1. To understand the various regenerative agriculture extension resources available to B.C. producers.

1. To identify the gaps, challenges and opportunities for regenerative agricultural extension resources in B.C.

1. To provide recommendations for improving regenerative agriculture extension resources for B.C. producers.

To help achieve the project objectives, a jurisdictional scan and interviews with stakeholders were conducted. The jurisdictional scan revealed over 40 resources, within three categories:

• Knowledge development: on-farm and off-farm research;

• Knowledge transfer: delivery of in-person events, online resources, and other materials; and

• Risk assessments: technical assistance provided by consultants on regenerative agriculture topics.

Based on the project findings, six key recommendations are presented for improving extension resources, programs, and services available to BC producers related to regenerative agriculture. A key connecting theme amongst the recommendations is coordination and collaboration.

The report is published on the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.

Alberni Agricultural Water Plan

(2024 - 2025)

Upland was contracted by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District to develop an Agricultural Water Plan following the creation of the Alberni Valley Agricultural Plan in 2011. Two of the goals set forth in the Agricultural Plan speak directly to the objectives of this project: Goal 7: Improve the Productivity of the Land Base and Goal 12: Increase the Availability of Water for Agriculture. The ACRD received funding through the Investment Agriculture Foundation BC’s Agricultural Water Infrastructure Grant Fund to develop this Agricultural Water Plan for the Alberni Valley.

The project's scope includes identifying and quantifying agricultural water opportunities within Electoral Area ‘B’ - Beaufort, Electoral Area ‘D’ - Sproat Lake, Electoral Area ‘E’ - Beaver Creek, Electoral Area ‘F’ - Cherry Creek, and the City of Port Alberni. Land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and non‐ALR land that may have agricultural viability based on soil classification were considered within the scope of analysis (see Section 3 for more details). A mix of irrigation equipment types, based primarily on crop feasibility and viability, were also included in the modelling. Table 1 (following page) provides a summary of the water supply options that were included in this review, along with notes as to which section of the report provides information about each option.

Crop Factsheets: Navigating Extreme Temperatures on Vancouver Island

(2023-2024)

Upland was contracted by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food to develop a series of four factsheets addressing crop management under extreme temperatures on Vancouver Island. The Factsheets offered information and references for Berries, Forage, Small Greenhouses and Field Vegetables.

The Fact Sheets are hosted on the Ministry website.

Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses

(2022 - 2023)

Upland Agricultural Consulting partnered with Diamondhead Consulting to complete the first phase of the Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses (SAW) project. The project aims to uncover key challenges and opportunities that will allow the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) to build on the programs currently in place and take the next steps towards water resource stewardship on agricultural lands. A series of key directions which AF can take to help support agricultural producers in watercourse stewardship were developed and are outlined in this document.

The first phase of the SAW project was to better understand how farmers and ranchers are managing riparian areas and watercourses on agricultural land.

During the engagement process, participants shared concerns and ideas for change.

A What We Heard document was developed to provide a summary of engagement results from an online survey and interviews conducted by phone and zoom.

There were five key objectives associated with the engagement activities:

1. Learn about barriers and challenges experienced by agricultural landowners and leaseholders in stewarding watercourses and riparian areas on farmland.
2. Identify opportunities to address some of the concerns raised by agricultural landowners and leaseholders.
3. Address the barriers to watercourse stewardship on agricultural land, laying out steps to short, medium and long-term implementation.
4. Enhance collaboration between Indigenous communities, agricultural groups, and various levels of government.
5. Enhance understanding of current stewardship of watercourses on agricultural land and ensure farmers and ranchers have a better comprehension of expectations around watercourses.

A survey was launched online to gather insights and experiences from producers on watercourse management. The survey was advertised through existing networks, including industry associations, and a total of 235 responses were received.

In addition to the survey, approximately 30 one-on-one interviews were conducted with a variety of stakeholders to further understand the challenges and develop some potential solutions. Finally, three focus groups were facilitated to circulate an early draft of the Discussion Paper for feedback. The three focus groups were organized by audience type:

• practitioners (8 participants)
• local government staff (21 participants)
• provincial government staff (11 participants)

The input received during these sessions was instrumental in fine-tuning the potential actions and determining the list of collaborators for each action.

Following the finalization of the What We Heard Document, a Discussion Paper was drafted to provide some early recommended directions for AF to undertake in Phase 2 of the implementation of the Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses (SAW) project.  These directions were developed following the initial project engagement phase and are rooted in core concepts and themes which arose and are designed to be actionable and measurable.

The Discussion Paper and the feedback received will inform the development of the Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses Action Plan. The Action Plan will provide strategic direction for the Ministry to act on the recommendations proposed by agricultural stakeholders to improve farmers' and ranchers’ ability to steward watercourses on their properties.

The What We Heard report and Discussion Paper are available on the Ministry's project website.

Scoping Agricultural Ecosystem Services within Metro Vancouver

(2022)

Metro Vancouver contracted Upland Agricultural Consulting to undertake this study with the following two objectives:

• To understand the benefits provided by ecosystem services within agricultural areas to resiliency, food production and the livability of the wider region, and,
• To identify and recommend policy, regulatory or financial actions and mechanisms that can be taken to expand the long-term viability of supporting ecosystem services on agricultural land.

Farmland within the ALR makes up approximately 20% of the land base within Metro Vancouver Regional District. The potential of these agricultural lands to support ecosystem services has been recognized in the Regional Food System Strategy, Ecological Health Framework, the Climate 2050 Roadmap for Agriculture, and Metro 2050, among many other policy documents.

 

Assessment of Future Water Supply Options for Delta's Greenhouse Industry

(2021)

This project was funded through the BC Climate Agriculture Initiative and the BC Greenhouse Growers Association. Upland was contracted to develop a Greenhouse Water Supply Risk and Options Assessment, with specific focus on greenhouses in the Delta BC community, which rely on potable water sources for irrigation purposes. These water sources may be vulnerable to use restrictions under drought conditions. This Assessment followed the Delta’s Future Agriculture Water Supply and Demand study which found that the existing surface water supply system could meet agricultural demands under the current climate and production levels but will fall short of meeting future water demands or support significant expansion of the industry without substantial upgrades. The assessment was completed through a combination of literature review and stakeholder engagement, which provided insights into the challenges and opportunities pertaining to water procurement within the greenhouse industry.

The assessment provided an overview of alternative opportunities available for water use by Delta greenhouse producers and an assessment of climate change and non-climate change related pressures on Delta's water availability. The assessment provides profiles of various alternative water procurement methods including rainwater catchment, aquifer access, and piping water in from the Fraser River. The various profiles including the relevant regulatory requirements, infrastructure upgrades, treatment technologies and costs of installation and maintenance. A webinar was presented to members of the BC Greenhouse Growers Association.

Provincial Open Burning Best Practices Materials

(2022)

The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food contracted Upland to develop content for information materials related to best practices for open-air burning of agricultural vegetative wastes, alternatives to open air burning and provide clear regulatory guidance. The work completed included background research and consultation with producers and industry stakeholders. The project culminated in the creation of content for future development of fact sheets that included alternatives to open burning, best practices for diseased material burns and safe open burning, and regulatory consideration for conducting a burn. Alternative disposal methods outlined in the sheets include chipping and grinding, mowing and plowing, and air curtain burners.

Open Burning Alternatives: Best Practices Guide for Managing Agricultural Wastes in Metro Vancouver

(2021)

The Best Practices Guide was developed to aid in the reduction of air emissions from open air burning by providing clear alternatives for producers disposing of agricultural vegetative waste materials specifically within the context of Metro Vancouver. The Guide was developed with a combination of a literature review of relevant BMP materials as well as current and innovative practices in waste disposal, and interviews with subject matter experts.

The Guide is a user-friendly document which presents the challenges with open air burning disposal, followed by an overview of BMPs including step-by-step instructions, including chipping, grinding, shredding and mowing. Beneficial re-use of vegetative debris is also profiled through composting, off farm sales and mulching, including the regulations which impact these practices.