Land use and zoning are complicated issues across the board. Urban dwellers are often faced with development applications that require zoning changes within their midst that are not always welcomed or easily embraced. We can all think of several instances of this over the years in our communities.
Local governments need to recognize and act on zoning densification opportunities in a timely manner to attempt to keep a vibrant local housing stock that will serve generations of families.
In farming and rural areas in Delta and the lower Fraser Valley, we are often presented with perceived threats to our well-being and ability to feed ourselves through loss of farmland. I get that concern absolutely but I also see there has to some give on the land use issue.
We need land for farmers to farm and we need land for housing and economic development. Compromise of the highest order is required to solve this puzzle.
In this last provincial election (the one that may be continuing shortly), the NDP spoke more to the issue of housing affordability than the Liberals or Greens. This is a very real problem that does not appear to be going away any time soon.
The NDP, however, is faced with a political dilemma with the Agricultural Land Reserve its creation which is clearly a big elephant in the room.
I like the idea of the ALR but at the same time see tracks of this land in southern British Columbia that are in proximity to urban areas that are underutilized and cost prohibitive for farmers to buy, clear and get crops growing.
What provincial government will have the political will to address land use head-on so that families young and old can have a home without the cloud of food security looming in public and political consciousness? On the farming and food production front, our local producers are second to none but they need help too. Land trade-offs and financial support from governments will ensure there is a future for farming in Delta.
Additionally, incentives from all levels of government need to at least show a sense of promise for those who are and want to be engaged in working the land. Our farmers adapt to massive challenges and they will most certainly continue to do so.
Yesterday there was an open house for the Farm Roots Mini School in Boundary Bay. A halfacre is in production with all kinds of crops on the go. If local farming is going to be a steadfast reality within our midst, there has to be a better understanding of land use issues here and elsewhere.
Small-scale farming is not going to save the world but it is going to teach young people about the complexities of the food economy in the hopes the bigger picture is understood by progressive thinking younger generations who will seek opportunities to farm.
If you want to support young farmers growing food right here, come down to Farm Roots during the summer to get your veggies. I will be down at the site pretty much every day with interns Allie and Jasmine and we have several ideas in store to offer our fresh student grown produce to you this summer. Stay tuned.
Mike Schneider is founder of Project Pickle and likes to write about growing, cooking and eating food. He is a Jamie Oliver Food Revolution ambassador.
