An annual Squamish Valley farm tour with farm-to-table dinner and events around food.
A strongly branded “Made in the Squamish Valley” food, a permanent year-round farmers’ market, and a farm or a farmland trust for the community.
These are just some of the possibilities being explored in the Squamish Valley Agricultural plan, created by the joint efforts of District of Squamish and SLRD with support from organisations such as Squamish Food Policy Council and Whistler Centre for Sustainability.
It is an ambitious document that charts a road map to expand local food production, and brand and market it as far as possible.
With more than 30 recommendations, the Squamish Valley Agricultural Plan will bring together local government, non-profits and food growers to support agriculture over the next 10 years.
A 2017 inventory by Ministry of Agriculture shows there are 551 hectares available for farming in the Squamish Valley. The inventory revealed that only 2 per cent of agricultural land was being actively farmed.
While the Squamish Valley Agricultural Plan recommends 35 actions the local governments can take to promote agriculture, there are 15 recommendations it considers highly urgent.
Identifying a location and arranging for funds for a permanent year-round Squamish Farmers’ Market; working with producers on reducing conflicts between agriculture and wildlife; encouraging farmers to be part of the plan; and including agriculture in the district’s Climate Action Plan are some of these recommendations.
The plan also recommends working with the Squamish Nation to integrate Indigenous food system and traditional knowledge about foods.
The plan will be implemented by the Squamish Food Policy Council, with support from the SLRD and the district.
The district is hosting an open house on the plan on Thursday, February 20, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Squamish Adventure Centre.
The event will provide an overview of the planning process, highlighting key aspects of the plan and offer an opportunity to gather public input and feedback on the draft document.