ABBOTSFORD – Vertical farms will no longer have to seek permission from the Agricultural Land Commission to set up on protected farmland under a host of changes announced February 20. “We are making changes to support agritech and intensive crop production, like vertical farming, on the Agricultural Land Reserve,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham said …
ALR
ALR opened for agritech
Vertical farms that grow crops in stacked trays rather than fields will soon be able to set up in the Agricultural Land Reserve without having to seek permission from the province. “We are making changes to support agritech and intensive crop production, like vertical farming, on the Agricultural Land Reserve,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham …
Abbotsford updates farmland policies
Abbotsford has resumed efforts to update municipal agricultural policies, bylaws and regulations, and is preparing a framework for on-going bylaw compliance for ALR lands. The work was postponed pending the outcome of the province’s initiative in 2018 to revitalize the Agricultural Land Commission and Agricultural Land Reserve. Abbotsford was three-quarters of the way through its …
Province allows secondary homes
The province has ended more than two years of uncertainty for property owners in the Agricultural Land Reserve by allowing them to have a secondary residence without seeking permission from the Agricultural Land Commission. “The new residential flexibility will provide ALR property owners with the relief of housing security,” said Meghan McPherson, a Comox Valley landowner …
Farmers say new policy statement devalues ag
PENDER ISLAND – Agriculture in the Gulf Islands will no longer be recognized as a traditional or valuable activity if Islands Trust approves a new policy statement, set for first reading in July. The proposal is informed by input from the local community and more than 20 First Nations who have treaty and territorial rights …
Agassiz land exclusion refused
BC’s Agricultural Land Commission has stood firm against a bid by the District of Kent to exclude four parcels totalling 43 acres for residential development. Often referred to as the Teacup properties, the parcels were designated a residential reserve in Kent’s official community pan in 2001. But in 2005, the ALC told the district “that …