Cariboo Regional District Agricultural Area Plan
Under the guidance of the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee, the Upland Agricultural Consultant in collaboration with Urban Food Strategies has produced the 2022 Agricultural Area Plan. The plan development process included comprehensive review of background documents, agricultural sector data, policies, and best practices. The stakeholder engagement strategy involved key stakeholder interviews, community surveys, site visits and community forums (open house) to develop the first draft of the Agricultural Area Plan. Following multiple stages of feedbacks and revisions, the Final Plan was adopted by the CRD's Board of Directors in January 2023.
Our vision is to ensure the Cariboo is a place where farming is sustained by building economic and environmental resiliency, where local policies and plans champion agricultural land, producers, and processors, and where all community members share a passion for local food and agricultural products.
Supporting Documents
CRD Agricultural Area Plan Background Report
CRD Agricultural Area Plan Engagement Summary Report
Overview and Purpose
The Agricultural Area Plan (AAP) that will identifies opportunities to strengthen the region's agricultural sector and contribute to its long-term sustainability. The plan has a strong emphasis on economic development, climate change adaptation, emergency management, and informing broad land use objectives within the region.
Plan Objectives
- Address current challenges and needs of the agriculture industry such as climate change and identify tools for adaptation and the industry’s long-term viability and sustainability.
- Protect and enhance the agricultural land base in the region, including outlining broad land use objectives within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
- Strengthen the local agricultural economy by raising awareness, education and value of local food production and local food systems.
- Develop recommendations to guide upcoming Canada Agricultural Partnership (CAP) funding decisions and inform future Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments.
Implementation and Next Steps
The Agricultural Development Advisory Committee is now considering next steps in implementing the Plan's recommendations to further strengthen the resiliency of the region's agricultural sector. Turning the various recommendations into actions and results will be a joint effort between the Cariboo RD, ADAC, industry, businesses, and stakeholder associations.
Anyone who is interested in participating in the Plan's implementation or has a proposal fitting within the context of the plan is encouraged to get in touch with our Manager of Planning Services.
Funding
The process to develop the CRD's Agricultural Area Plan was funded in part by the Local Government Partnership Program, with funding provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Government of British Columbia through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.
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FUNDING PROVIDED BY:
