Columbia Basin-Boundary Food System

Specific opportunities have been identified based primarily on the three recently completed Agriculture Plans from the Regional Districts of Kootenay Boundary, Central Kootenay and East Kootenay, and on advisory committee consultations. The most promising options will be investigated in greater depth, and research findings will be presented to target user groups - producers, processors, distributors, retailers, educators, policymakers and funders.

The mapping portion of the project will consist of an inventory of both actively farmed agriculture land, and agricultural land not currently being farmed. The underutilized areas will be cross-referenced with land values and other variables to identify the most promising land for new farmers and investors to expand agricultural production.

As it is generally recognized that many problems within our food system could be overcome if farming became more economically viable, this project focuses on economic development opportunities. This project will help build the capacity of key stakeholders and decision-makers from across the region to make informed decisions related to regional food systems and related land use planning.

We will identify a suite of research gaps, potential solutions, actions and opportunities to strengthen our regional food system for consideration by the advisory group. Based on feedback from project advisors, we will analyze research and best practices from outside our region that focus on the identified opportunities for food system enhancement.

The advisory group was formed in the fall of 2014. Members are drawn from food system actors across the Columbia Basin- Boundary region, including food producers, processors, distributers, retailers, government representatives, food systems researchers, food activists and organizers. The first meeting focused on a discussion of the initial suite of opportunities identified in the literature review and earlier consultations. Ideas for additional opportunities (such as improving access to land, education, storage facilities, transportation and distribution systems, markets, or particular value added products, etc.) were solicited. Advisory meetings occur on a quarterly basis. Individual members of the advisory group with particular interest and expertise in a specific opportunity (and have time to provide advice) will be involved on a more regular basis.

The Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC) is supporting the research by both mapping indicators and assets on the Digital Basin and remote sensing. They used a combination of available satellite and air photo imagery with currently available data to develop a pilot project and methodology to identify currently farmed and underutilized agricultural lands in the Creston Valley. The intent is to apply this methodology across the Columbia Basin-Boundary Region in Phase 2 of this project.

BC Assessment data on land use in combination with soils information was utilized to identify private lands that have capability for agriculture, but are not currently being farmed. These properties were cross-referenced with land values data to identify regions (electoral areas) where new farmers and investors could expand agricultural production. This information will be presented on the Digital Basin in the coming months.

 

The new indicators and report will fill the information gaps identified in the three agriculture plans and prioritized by the advisory group. We will present results to Regional Districts, agriculture groups and food security groups plus hold up to three workshops or webinars and release at least one project video highlighting findings and Digital Basin outputs.

Knowledge mobilization activities will include press releases (launch, conclusion of project), project updates in the RDI e-newsletter, promotion by advisory group members, participation at community and regional level food security-related events, and project overview and progress updates on the RDI website. The project will also be promoted through Selkirk College and Columbia Basin Trust communication channels and updates will be shared during ongoing presentations with key stakeholder groups from across the region, including local government, First Nations government, the Kootenay Real Estate Board, and agricultural groups.