Multi-Year Development Plan for Yukon Agriculture

The Government of Yukon (Agriculture Branch) contracted Upland Agricultural Consulting to update the Multi-Year Development Plan (MYDP) for Yukon Agriculture. The MYDP captures the present (2022) state of Yukon’s agriculture and agri-food industry, and provides a well-researched, realistic vision and road-map for future sector development over the next 5 years. The MYDP will serve as a guiding document to inform both private and public investment in Yukon’s agriculture and agri-food industry. The MYDP is intended to be relevant and useful for First Nations, territorial, federal and municipal governments, investors, the agriculture and agri-food industry, including producers, processors and retailers, and NGOs that intersect with the agriculture and food sector.

To develop the MYDP, engagement during the process was vital in ensuring that key themes and recommendations represent the needs of the agri-food industry now and into the future. Engagement activities included attending conferences; facilitating focus group sessions with producers and government staff;  conducting over 50 interviews with First Nations, farmers, ranchers, industry associations, food retailers, food processors, and government representatives; conducting over 25 in-person site visits to First Nations communities and farms in the vicinity of Whitehorse, Lake Laberge, Carcross Tagish, Marsh Lake, Dawson City and Mayo.

Key deliverables included an Engagement Plan and Summary Report, a Market Capacity for Yukon Foods and Agricultural Products Memo, and the MYDP Interim Report.

Denman Island Farm Regulation Review

Upland Agricultural Consulting was contracted by Islands Trust to undertake engagement of the Denman Island community and draft amendments to the Denman Island Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw. The objective of the amendments were to better align current policies and regulations with community needs and priorities, while also bringing the documents up to date with provincial legislative changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve.

The amended OCP and Land Use Bylaw was adopted unanimously in 2022. More information about the project is available on the Islands Trust website.

Regional District of Central Okanagan Agricultural Strategy Background Report

Upland Agricultural Consulting partnered with Urban Food Strategies to develop a Background Report for the RDCO's Agricultural Strategy. The Report serves as the first phase of a Regional Agricultural Strategy. The objective of developing the Report was to create an up-to-date profile of the Central Okanagan agricultural sector which describes the land base, agricultural activities, and economic indicators. Additionally, the Report set out to identify key issues, opportunities, and themes for the sector through engagement with First Nations communities, member municipalities, agriculture and food stakeholders, and the general public.

The Report process included a comprehensive review of dozens of plans, datasets, reports, websites, and other resources which were relevant to the agriculture sector in the Central Okanagan; Engagement with first nations communities and industry stakeholders through one-on-one interviews, meetings, a public survey, an open house and the formation of a steering committee. The project culminated in the creation of the Report as well as preliminary recommendations for the direction of the final strategy in Phase 2.

The Report is available on the RDCO YourSay website.

South Kootenay Agricultural Strategy

Upland Agricultural Consulting was contracted by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to develop an agricultural strategy for the South Kootenay region. The objective of the South Kootenay Agricultural Strategy (SKAS) was to develop a framework for decision-making over the next 10 to 20 years, in helping communities shift towards self-reliance for food production and collaboration for agri-sector business growth. The SKAS provides a vision and roadmap of actions to maximize the agriculture and food sector potential of the South Kootenay Region.

The creation of the SKAS included comprehensive review of background information including local policies and strategies, agricultural trends and market capacity; Engagement with industry stakeholders through one-on-one interviews, a virtual public open house and the creation of a steering committee; development of the final strategy including vision, goals, objectives and actions, and implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework.

The South Kootenay Agricultural Strategy is posted on the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary website.

Fraser-Fort George Regional Agricultural Strategy

Upland Agricultural consulting worked in collaboration with project lead, Urban Food Strategies to develop the Regional District's Fraser-Fort George Regional Agriculture Strategy. The Regional Agriculture Strategy is a non-statutory plan that identifies a shared vision, goals, and actions for supporting food and agriculture systems amongst producers, the public, local government, Indigenous governments and other key players within the region. The Strategy culminated in 5 goals, and 30 actions to support and grow the agriculture sector in the Fraser-Fort George region.

In addition to the Strategy, the project delivered a Foundations Report, which served as a comprehensive overview of the current agricultural sector in Fraser-Fort George including an agriculture profile, Indigenous food and farming history, biophysical and environmental context, emergency preparedness and available agricultural support services.

More information is available on the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George's project website.

Cariboo Regional Agricultural Area Plan

The purpose of the Cariboo Agricultural Area Plan (AAP) was to produce a comprehensive agricultural planning document that focuses on the Cariboo Regional District’s jurisdiction and provides guidance in identifying opportunities to strengthen the regional agricultural sector and contribute to its long-term sustainability. The AAP recommends actions to address current and anticipated changes, challenges and opportunities specific to the role of the CRD.

Development of the plan resulted in the creation of 3 public facing documents: a comprehensive background report, an Engagement summary Report and the Final AAP. Four key steps in the planning process were undertaken, these steps included:

1. A background report to provide an update on the current trends in the agricultural sector since the 2007 Strategy was completed;
2. An analysis of current policies and regulations relating to the agriculture sector in the CRD;
3. Engagement with agricultural producers and the public (including interviews, surveys and meetings with the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee (ADAC)) to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the agriculture sector and land base; and
4. The creation of an implementation strategy to facilitate a community-based approach to strengthening agriculture, along with a monitoring and evaluation framework to track implementation progress.

To view a copy of the Cariboo Agricultural Area Plan visit the CRD's project information page.

Surrey Parks Agriculture Initiative

Upland Agricultural Consulting developed a comprehensive plan for agriculture within the City of Surrey's parks. The Plan provides a set of recommendations for managing parks that overlap with the Agricultural Land Reserve as well as broader recommendations for agricultural planning and the integration of ecosystem services. This report also examines the role that farming activities play within parks with regards to the agricultural economy, in creating educational and recreational opportunities, and connecting the dots between natural areas, ecosystems services and tangible benefits to agricultural productivity, soil health and water conservation.

A total of 18 parks were analyzed for their agricultural and food production potential as well as opportunities for enhancing ecosystem services and integrating beneficial management practices from the approach of regenerative agriculture. The project included:

• A focused background and literature review
• Site-specific analyses, including mapping and site visits
• Engagement with farmers, provincial and regional government staff and City of Surrey staff
• Outreach to the Kwantlen First Nation, Katzie First Nation and Semiahmoo First Nation occurred at the beginning of the project to inform the Nations of the project’s objectives and invite them to become involved.

For more information visit the City of Surrey's project website.

Tri-Cities Region Food Security Action Plan

In 2021 Upland Agricultural Consulting was contracted by the Tri-Cities Region (City of Coquitlam, City of Port Coquitlam, City of Port Moody, Village of Anmore, and Village of Belcarra) to embark upon their first Food Security Action Plan. The Plan provides recommendations and guidance for community food security and household food insecurity in the region by providing clear direction for local governments to ensure that food security policies and initiatives are innovative, collaborative, and aligned.

The Plan was completed over 3 phases:

• Development of community profiles and policy analysis
• Stakeholder engagement
• Finalization of the food security action plan

The final plan includes 5 goals with specific recommended actions which are within the jurisdictional control of the Tri-Cities, and are informed by the voices of Tri-Cities community members and sector experts. In addition to the Food Security Action Plan, the project deliverables included a publicly available Food Asset Map and a Food Charter tailored to the specific context of the region.

For more information visit the City of Port Moody Food Security website.

City of Burnaby Food Systems Strategy and Food Charter

In 2022, Upland Agricultural Consulting worked in collaboration with project lead, Urban Food Strategies, to develop the Burnaby Food System Strategy (BFSS) and Food Charter. The strategy sought to outline the ways in which the City of Burnaby can lead and support action towards sustainable food systems and food security for all people in Burnaby. The process to create the BFSS involved working closely with a Project Advisory Committee as well as interviews, surveys, and workshops with key people and organizations. The Food Charter was developed through close collaboration with the Project Advisory Committee to identify a vision and shared food values. All community organizations, private businesses, educational institutions, or government can sign the Burnaby Community Food Charter. Those who sign this charter commit to creating sustainable food systems and food security in Burnaby.

The Burnaby Food System Strategy is a strategic plan to improve the quality, fairness, and sustainability of Burnaby’s food systems. This focuses on two main goals:

• Food security
  Working towards a City where everyone has both access to food and choice in what they eat. The food options Burnaby residents have should be safe, culturally acceptable, and nutritious.
• Food sustainability
  Helping to make sure the processes of growing food and getting it to our tables respects both our environment, and all the people who work to grow, harvest, transport, and prepare our food.

In addition to the BFSS and the Food Charter, a Food Asset Map underwent significant updates during this project. The Food Asset Map is a public facing customized google map which contains the locations of and pertinent information for food organizations, programs, shops, community gardens and food banks and free or low cost groceries and meals.