Selection of letters of support for a Regional Food and Farmland Trust

Letter from Bernadette Greene

Dear CRD Board of Directors,

I am writing to express my support for a Regional Food and Farmland Trust. Up until this year, I have been a market gardener and flower farmer in NS.

As a taxpayer, I would be delighted to know, and take comfort in the fact, that some of my tax money is going towards securing public ownership of the farmland that will be needed to feed our children and grandchildren in the future.

As someone who is deeply concerned about the rising age of farmers, and the increasing difficulty for young farmers to access suitable land tenure for farming, I believe that this is one of the only ways of ensuring that young farmers can access land affordably. I have spoken to many young and new farmers (or would-be farmers) who have expressed despair at ever being able to access land, who bemoan the cost to buy it, and/or who have said that they, by necessity, choose other employment, not as a preference, but because access to land is out of reach for them.

As a market gardener, I understand the challenges that new and small scale farmers face, and believe that a Food and Farmland Trust can address some of those issues. I do NOT believe that a properly-run FFT would set up any kind of unfair or subsidized competition against farmers, if leased at market rates. Furthermore, my experience, and the experience of others I know who have run successful market gardens, is that with access to suitable land, farming is a viable career option.

As an observer of the global food system, I am deeply concerned about the many factors threatening that system (eg. climate change, unsustainable population growth, environmental degradation, irresponsible development, foreign acquisition of Canadian farmland, etc.), and believe that establishing a robust Food and Farmland Trust which takes every opportunity to secure public ownership of good farmland for agriculture in perpetuity is not only a noble goal, but a necessity. And I believe that by being so dependent on such a vulnerable system, we in the CRD are at risk of finding our food supply threatened in the future.

Please support a Regional Food and Farmland Trust.

Thank you, Bernadette Greene

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Letter in support of a Regional Food and Farmland Trust

To: CRD Chair and Board CRD Planning and Protective Services Chair and Committee 6th Floor Board Room 625 Fisgard Street Victoria BC V8W 1R7

February 15 2019

Re: Letter of support of a Regional Food and Farmland Trust

Dear CRD Officials

This is a letter of support for establishing a Regional Food and Farmland Trust, the reasons are based on my forty years of experience and observations of public lands used for agriculture in the CRD.

The 'public' lands include the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, Newman Farm (FLT of greater Victoria); Haliburton Farm, Madrona Farm, and now the newly established/in process Sandown Property and Woodwynn Farm.

All of these established lands have contributed greatly to:

• the horticultural and agricultural knowledge of the region
• the provision of produce to the local communities in various modes
• Teaching and learning of soil science, plant science, growing techniques, landscaping and gardening and other pursuits.

There are those who believe this is ‘costly’, of course there are costs, the whole educational system is costly but who amongst us would say no funds for this type of education.

In considering all of the thousands of hours of valuable and effective volunteer time the benefit – cost is far in favor of benefitting our citizens and young people now and of the future on food production and growing methods. The volunteering and other help will continue.

It is well documented that ‘knowledge or information is the key for advancing a stable and sustainable society”.

Further benefits and future initiatives on public agricultural lands include:

• Many retired knowledgeable farmers and professional people continue to come to the CRD and wish to contribute to horticultural learning, soil science and entomology for example, but they require lands and well managed organizations.
• The high schools and universities in the CRD graduate thousands of young people each year, and many wish to learn and explore and grow careers in the world of food and agriculture – they also require land and training with longer term organizations.
• Most significantly many young bright and capable organic growers are always looking for long term land on which to grow produce, and with some to expand current operations.
• In reflection of the above comments, if these pieces were in place there would likely be an additional place for helping First Nation’s people with growing and food sustenance.
• There continues to be a large need for community gardens as now so many people reside in apartments and condominiums and wish to be active and improve their health.
• There is a lingering need for an effective connection with public health, better eating, healthy growing and the understanding of nutrition - for example combating the large growing Diabetes Concern.

It has been mentioned that we require more research into and demonstration farms “in the local context” for projects such as:

• Use of hoop houses (plastic green houses) for growing berries, tree fruits and other crops; and for seasonal extension of winter crops
• With the declining pollinator populations, studies into flower selections, bee habitat and nesting sites; this is a global concern as well
• Cover crops and soil erosion prevention, mulching techniques and regional composting studies and strategies; and soil management techniques for our clayey silt lowland soils.
• Irrigation and drainage demonstration sites (longer term sites), to include fertility, methods and sources of nutrients
• need for new plant testing sites for climate change, such as times of flowering and pollination
• Biodiversity on-farm studies of small forests, riparian and hedgerows and their contributions to growing and sustainability.

Here more accessible and well managed long term land is required, we cannot easily do these pursuits on private lands.

Farmers have continued to mention they would like more land to expand their productive capacities and plant varieties. Often farmers require more winter storage capacity or facilities and effective cold storage for larger crop production.

Seed savers may need more facilities, for example harvesting and keeping a larger volume of seeds for pollinators. One bee keeper mentioned the peninsula needs about 600 acres of ‘bee’ flowers to have a proper honey industry.

Here more accessible and well managed long term land is required, and to have the planning options of best site selection.

The only small concern I have seen over the years (at some sites) is the need for effective management practices. I think with training this can easy be rectified.

In summary there is a need for more public lands to be made available for food and agriculture programs.

Sincerely

Robert Maxwell R M

Past Chair Peninsula and Area Agricultural Commission Past Chair Peninsula Country Market Society Past Director Direct Farm Marketing Society Advisor Farmland Trust of Greater Victoria Society Retired from BC Institute of Agrology

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Letter from Cadboro Bay Residents Association

Feb. 14, 2019

Attention: CRD Chair CRD Board of Directors CRD Planning and Protective Services, Chair & Committee

6th Floor Boardroom 625 Fisgard St. Victoria, BC V8W 1R7

RE: CRD FOOD & FARMLAND TRUST

The creation of The Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy and the CRD Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy is a necessary, positive and progressive step.

Over the past year, there has been a review of different strategies to increase the protection and access of farmland in the CRD.

We would like to draw your attention to the proposal coming before the Board to review the Uplands Consulting: Capital Regional District Regional Food Lands Improvement Feasibility Study and Business Case. The study looks at different approaches to support food lands access and recommends supporting a Farmland Trust and land bank model.

It is critical the CRD prioritize food security given the new uncertainties created by climate change, increasing international political instability and the rapid pace of development in the region. Any one of these factors would be sufficient cause for concern. The cumulative impact makes it imperative to take effective action to preserve food security as soon as possible.

c/o 2495 Arbutus Road, Victoria BC V8N 1V9 • E: board@cadborobay.net • W: www.cadborobay.net

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Letter from Ilya Amrhein (Square Root Organic Farm)

Date: February 18, 2019 ATTN: CRD Chair, CRD Board of Directors, CRD Planning and Protective Services Chair and Committee Re: CRD Food and Farmland Trust

A proposal is coming before the Board to consider supporting food-production land access, and a 'farmlands trust' model and I'd like to add my voice of support for this undertaking.

In my years of farming, we've struggled with finding stable access to suitable farmland to grow our business on, and have been periodically threatened with the loss of the farm as a result. I've also watched as several of my farming peers have moved their businesses to other areas or shut down entirely due to loss of rented land. Our farm has managed to hold on despite not being able to plan beyond the next year and not being able to make long-term investments in the business that would allow my food to reach a wider regional customer base. It would be challenging for any business to thrive in conditions like this.

But on the bright side we have one of the best environments for growing food in Canada, with a growing population and vibrant food scene that depends on locally-grown food. We have many young people who want to farm and we have persistent, committed, sustainable local farms who have the drive to continue producing high quality food.

Small farm businesses like mine can be profitable and can contribute huge yields of food to the local economy and thousands of pounds of food to local food banks, yet are unable to afford to buy the food-production land that is set aside as such. What is needed in order for small-farm agriculture to thrive and continue to add vibrancy to the region, to contribute to tourism and to food security is for farmers to have stable, long-term access to affordable, good quality food production land.

Land-trusts could be a very effective part of the solution to regional food security by allowing new farmers to start their own farms, and also by encouraging an environment where existing small-scale farmers can have the stability in order to plan and grow, to employ more local people and become long-term sustainable stewards and protectors of farmland. I truly hope to see a farm-land trust develop in the near future and I look forward to the stronger farming community that will result.

-- Ilya Amrhein Square Root Organic Farm

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Letter from Jen Rashleigh

Jen Rashleigh 10211 West Saanich Road North Saanich, BC V8L 5T8

Capital Regional District Board of Directors 625 Fisgard Street PO Box 1000 Victoria, BC V8W 2S6

Re: your February 20 Board decision on the creation of a Food and Farmland Trust in the region

Dear Board of Directors,

I am writing to express my wholehearted support the creation of a Food and Farmland trust in the region. I live in North Saanich, and prior to this lived and worked in Vancouver, running an educational and therapeutic urban farm in central Vancouver.

In my work I encounter many, many young people who are passionate about growing food. They go through training to become farmers (through the UBC Farm practicum, the UBC Land and Food Systems program, or the Kwantlen Sustainable Agriculture Program to name a few) only to find that they are completely unable to buy their own land. Land prices are completely beyond their reach. They cannot find secure, reliable long term leases needed to invest in building the infrastructure or planting the perennials required to develop a viable farm operation. Long term access to land is the number one barrier facing young farmers today. And this barrier is enormous.

I can also speak personally to say that the young farmers movement is one of the most exciting developments I have been able to participate in. Farming, particularly small scale organic farming, is seen as a positive, hands-on response to so many of the issues that we face today, including climate change, overuse of fossil fuels, environmental degradation, urbanization, etc. There are so many young Canadians eager to grow food and engage in sustainable, life-giving employment. I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of government to help create the opportunities for them by creating farmland trusts.

ALR land is an important step in protecting farmland, but if this land is financially beyond reach for most, the ALR land will not be actively farmed. My favourite chuck of farmland-- a 5 acre ALR lot on my morning walk-- is now being sold for $1.2 million, and a residential house being built on it. ALR land that simply serves to supports the lifestyle of wealthy residents does not provide food, does not provide jobs, and does not support farmers. We need the creation of a long-term lease system to allow farmers a chance, and to grow healthy, local, ethical food for our communities.

I applaud your very progressive decision to consider the creation of a Farmland Trust! And will look forward to hearing the right decision on February 20.

With sincere thanks,

Jen Rashleigh

Jen Rashleigh Farmers on 57th www.farmerson57th.ca

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Letter from Marria Gauley

ATTN: CRD Chair CRD Board of Directors CRD Planning and Protective Services Chair and Committee 6th Floor Boardroom 625 Fisgard St. Victoria, BC V8W 1R7

Date: February 7 2019 Re: CRD Food and Farmland Trust

The Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy was created to support the implementation of the CRD Food and Agriculture Strategy.

The CRD Food and Agriculture Task Force has been working to provide guidance and support to the implementation of the Strategy. Over the past year they have done considerable work to review the different strategies for increasing the protection and access of farmland in the CRD. A proposal is coming before the Board to consider the results of the study done by Uplands Consulting: Capital Regional District Regional Food Lands Improvement Feasibility Study and Business Case.

This report is to look at different approaches that can be taken to support foodlands access and recommends supporting a Farmland Trust and land bank model would be the most impactful.

As a former member of Victoria’s Emergency Social Services Planning Team we discussed food security on South Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island farmers produced as much as 85 per cent of the Island’s food supply in the 1950’s, while local agricultural production was estimated to supply only 5-10 per cent of the Island’s food supply as of 2004. It was determined that if Vancouver Island experienced a major disaster where food could not be brought in from offshore our supply would last a mere 3-4 days. With the ever increasing population food security is imperative to our very survival.

The three main issues related to farmland, as I see it, are 1) the cost of agricultural land being prohibitive to purchase by people who want to grow food on a larger scale than family or community gardens. 2) People buying agricultural land as estates rather than working farms and building monster homes. These homes permanently remove agricultural land from growing food. 3) The newest threat is “farmers” expecting to grow marijuana on agricultural land. Although this plant is consumed, it needs to be considered an industrial product-not an agricultural one. The security needed to grow in soil is prohibitive, and building concrete bunkers for growing removes farmland from food crop planting.

Time is limited to make a concerted effort to save agricultural land for growing food. It makes sense for the CRD to coordinate and assist support the efforts of Municipalities to support acquisition of agricultural land in our region. Each Municipality may choose a different model for use/stewardship and such a partnership allows for this.

Small scale farmers using sustainable growing methods can produce a significant amount of food for our communities. This small scale sustainable agriculture is viable and important to our economy (this model can produce approx. $40,000-$60,000 acre where as large scale mono production ranges about $20,000 acre (on average, high variability due to crop type, land conditions).

We have a significant & motivated workforce who needs access to agricultural land to provide an essential service to the CRD. Showing support for this initiative is paramount for food security now and in the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this important initiative.

Marria Gauley 105-85 Belmont Rd., Colwood BC V9C 3L7

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Letter from Ramona Scott

ATTN: Ryan Windsor, Chair, and Members of CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee

February 16, 2019

Re: CRD Food and Farmland Trust

The CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee will be discussing a report and staff recommendations concerning the Food and Farmland Trust on February 20, 2019. This initiative is dear to my heart because I know how many challenges we face now and in the future regarding sustainable local food production and food security in our Region.

When I was Manager of Agriculture Programs for The Land Conservancy of BC (2003-2009), we developed a program to help conserve BC farms and their ecosystems. I was very fortunate to meet with many farmers and ranchers throughout BC. Madrona Farm in Saanich and Lohbrunner Farm in Langford are local TLC farmland conservation examples. Along the way, we partnered with Farm Folk/City Folk, to develop a Community Farms Program which ultimately involved about 25 farms in BC which exemplified several ways that a small group of farmers could farm together and cooperate to share work and resources on a small scale farms. We also began a process toward a Farmland Trust for BC, and produced a background research report of Farmland Trusts throughout North America. It is wonderful that this initiative has gained so much further ground through CRFAIR, FF/CF and CRD Strategic Planning. There is much to be proud of in this regional work.

I have developed an “urban farm” in my backyard in Esquimalt, now in my third season. I provide weekly vegetable boxes to 8-10 neighbours and friends. Prior to this endeavour I was farming for 5 years along the Skeena River near Hazelton, BC. I know from my TLC and personal experience in BC that small scale farming can be profitable and sustainable. I am also aware of the growing popularity of Farmers’ Markets and Buy Local campaigns in our Region, on Vancouver Island and throughout BC.

Currently, we are importing a lot of fruit and vegetables from the U.S. Experts are suggesting that with climate changes, food availability in the South will not be so reliable. It only makes sense that we grow locally as much of our own food as possible both in our Region and in BC as a whole. Barriers facing local food production involve: pressures to release farmland to development, ongoing retirement of current seasoned farmers, and prohibitive cost of land and access for younger farmers who wish to continue the legacy of local food production.

I urge you to recommend to the CRD Board the implementation of a Regional Farmland and Foodlands Trust, and to engage all regional residents to support this initiative. I was managing the CRD Regional Parks Department in the 1980’s when the request for a levy to fund parkland acquisition was first enacted. It was and has been a very effective and commendable tool implemented by the CRD Board. I think farmland acquisition to protect our food production capabilities is as important an issue today as parkland acquisition was and is to protect our green space for our growing population.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely, Ramona Scott

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Email from Susan Grace Draper

Subject: The future is local: support a Food and Farmland Trust Date: February 4, 2019 at 11:09:17 PM PST To: CRDBoard@crd.bc.ca

I am a resident of Victoria and a person who has supported local food production in this region for the past 25 years. I am very concerned about the impacts of climate change; the research that I’ve done indicates that one of the ways we can reduce our carbon footprint is to develop a local or regional economy. That means we must protect farmland and grow more and more of our food close to home. Many may not yet understand the necessity of doing this yet but our leaders must be proactive on this file now and take the long-range view. Humanity’s survival depends on the decisions that are made today around land, water, energy and air.

I therefore encourage all CRD Board members to do everything they can to protect this valuable asset for future generations. Climate chaos is upon us and the best thing we can do is to preserve agricultural land for future generations. That future is closer than most people know…We have 11 years to reduce our fossil fuel usage by 45%. The CRD must do its part by establishing a Food and Farmland Trust so that younger people can learn how to grow food and organizations working on food security will have access to farmland.

Thank you.

Actively pursuing hope and a future for my grandchildren, Susan Grace Draper Victoria, BC V8V 2G6