I was invited to a reception and dinner hosted by Kwantlen Polytechnic University this past Monday. KPU has been a leader in developing post-secondary programs for students interested in pursuing careers in agriculture and horticulture.
Participants included Ministry of Agriculture officials and other post-secondary institutions offering food related studies, including BCIT and the University of British Columbia. Present were City of Vancouver officials, Delta Farmers' Institute president Dave Ryall and his wife Sarah, who is also the president of the "AG in the Classroom" program.
There were some very interesting conversations going on before and during dinner. KPU's Rebecca Harbut gave an informative presentation after dinner that explained some of the short-and long-term goals for studies within the Horticulture and the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems programs.
KPU explained it was simply reaching out to supporters of its programs and thanking current and future partners for contributing to a better understanding of why a regional food system is so important.
There are plenty of committed individuals, institutions and businesses who are working hard to sort through an abundance of challenging problems in the food system and the broader food economy. All attendees shared eloquent descriptions of their views on aspects of sustainability, farming, food security, education and a host of other issues relating to the food economy.
Some spoke to accessing funds to carry out their initiatives and others spoke to what farming and food production would look like 20 years down the road.
The complexities of the food economy are immense and all of the stakeholders have an idea of how the often problematic issues around food, farming and land use can be solved.
There is convergence occurring on many levels in this broad food discussion and that is very encouraging indeed. Folks are recognizing synergies rapidly and they are taking advantage of the power of partnership.
I believe the Southlands proposal
presently before Metro Vancouver, and other plans like it in the future both here and abroad, could be the geographical convergence point for many of the discussions about best food practices. To me, a community built around agriculture just makes sense.
Every day the excitement over the Southlands continues to grow as both urban and conventional farmers support the project. The business and educational community believe in the project and local residents have also shown their support by submitting a 1,700-name petition to Delta mayor and council. Our mayor and five of six councillors wholeheartedly endorsed this carefully considered submission.
After the upcoming public hearing, I hope the Metro board carefully considers how the Southlands proposal relates directly to its vision for the region as outlined in its agriculture plan.
Whether it is a Metro agriculture report, or a Delta or provincial agriculture plan, the Southlands will activate several common goals shared by different levels of government.
When Metro takes the final vote, I am hoping that Deltans can work together to make the Southlands the convergence community that will be the envy of many and a model for many more.
