CVRD Agricultural Plan Receives Update

The Comox Valley Agricultural Plan is in need of an update.

“Our current agricultural plan is now over 20 years old and needs to be modernized - this update will set an improved path forward given what farmers in the Comox Valley are experiencing today,” said Lisa Kilpatrick, Community Development and Resilience Manager for the CVRD.

The current plan has been helping inform the Comox Valley Regional District and stakeholders on agriculture since 2001.

Over the last 20 years many of the CVAP recommendations have been implemented or advanced.

However, several recommendations have become outdated.

With the availability of funding in 2021 through the Investment Agriculture Fund, the CVRD says it decided it was time to update and modernize the plan so that it reflects the current needs of the agriculture and food sector and current regulations.

The document focuses on the CVRD's jurisdiction and provides guidance in identifying opportunities to strengthen the regional agricultural sector and contribute to its long-term sustainability.

The new, second generation CVAP is intended to build upon the old plan and to inform, guide and provide a framework for regional planning, decision-making and the CVRD’s administration of agricultural issues including regionally appropriate recommended actions that anticipate future changes and challenges the CVRD and partner agencies to pursue into the future.

Through a new CVAP, it is the hope and intention that long-term resiliency and sustainability of the regional agricultural and food sector and the greater food system is strengthened allowing it to grow, flourish and prosper into the future.

Focus group meetings and community workshops with the agriculture community have already been held on the key themes of land use planning, emergency planning, water and business vitality. Now, the district is looking for input.

You can view the plan and complete a survey at Comox Valley RD.