AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thursday, June 18, 2009, commencing at 7:40 p.m.

Salmon River Committee Room
th
4 Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue, Langley, BC

M I N U T ES

PRESENT: V. MacDonald, Vice-Chair

R. Austin, R. Blackstone, P. Erikson, D. Melnychuk, L. Nicholls, T. Reinhart, K. Taylor,

S. Trummler and A. Robinson

MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVES:
Mayor R. Green
Councillor S. Ferguson
Councillor M. Kositsky

STAFF REPRESENTATIVES:
B. Doyle, Manager, Administration and Approving Officer
K. Larsen, Manager, Water Resources and Environment
S. Palmer, Recording Secretary
R. Seifi, Director, Community Development

A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee

June 18, 2009

Moved by R. Blackstone,
Seconded by T. Reinhart,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee adopt the Agenda of the June 18, 2009
meeting.
CARRIED

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee

May 21, 2009

Moved by D. Melnychuk,
Seconded by R. Austin,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee adopt the Minutes of the May 21, 2009
meeting.
CARRIED
June 18, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -2-

C. PRESENTATIONS

D. REPORTS (WRITTEN)

E. 2009 WORK PROGRAM

Councillor Ferguson joined the meeting at 8:07 p.m.

1. 2009 Farm Tour

R. Blackstone reported that the theme for the 2009 farm tour, as recommended by
the task group, is “From Farmer to Market – Eat Local, Healthy and Fresh!”. It was
noted that this theme is in keeping with Item 9 of the AAC’s 2009 work plan.

A brief discussion ensued with the following comments/suggestions being provided:

• Hold a “Food Fair” type of event.
• Put farmers in touch with distributors; distributors sell 85% of all foods to retail
outlets.
• The cap for the tour would be six farms.
• Supermarket buying practices are tightly controlled.
• Growers co-op organizations know how to get to major retail outlets.
• Define audience.
• Consider an educational approach designed to teach school children, teachers
and parents about buying local produce.
• Organize a formal Food Show for suppliers of Langley produce and invite
residents to attend (cheap entrance fee or donation to local charity). The
objective would be to promote local consumption of local foods and awareness.

Councillor Kositsky entered the meeting at 8:21 p.m.

• Otter Co-op stores do a great job of showcasing local produce.

• Contact the City of Surrey Agricultural Advisory Committee as it has been
holding farm tours for ten years. Last year’s theme was called “A Taste of
Surrey”. The event is widely advertised and tours several locations, showcasing
Surrey products.

Mayor Green left the meeting at 8:34 p.m.

• Consider liability protection relative to food standards.

• Target elected officials (Council, Metro Vancouver, the Province, ALC) and get
them out to meet local farmers. Ideas presented for consideration for 2010
included “A Taste of Langley” event, with work/planning commencing in the fall.
• Use the media and promote education/selling of produce.
• Concentrate on presenting issues/concerns facing farmers to elected officials on
the tour.
June 18, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -3-

E. 2009 WORK PROGRAM

• Recognizing the short time period to implement a farm tour this year, a
manageable theme for the 2009 tour focus on emerging land and water issues
important to Langley farmers.

Moved by D. Melnychuk,
Seconded by K. Taylor,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee endorse the 2009 farm tour theme being,
“Cross Over Issues Involving Farmland and Watercourse Protection”; and

That the Committee endorse the 2010 farm tour theme being, “From Farmer to
Market – Eat Local, Healthy and Fresh!”.
CARRIED

Councillor Ferguson left the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

2. Agricultural Viability Strategy Task Force

D. Melnychuk reported that the Task Force has been working on an Agricultural
Viability Strategy the purpose of which is to enhance and protect sustainable farm
viability practices such as local food production challenges and urban and
environmental competition for agricultural land. The project will occur over a two
year period and include three phases. There is funding approval for this year’s
program from Council and the Investment Agriculture Foundation. A small Task
Force, consisting of B. Doyle, V. MacDonald, S. Trummler and
D. Melnychuk, has met twice in June to fine tune the action plan for this year. He
noted that the goal is to complete an agricultural profile and undertake public
consultation later this year. Copies of the timetable/budget and proposed format
were distributed on table. It was noted that there will be funding available to hire a
consultant to gather profile data.

COUNCIL

Moved by D. Melnychuk,
Seconded R. Blackstone,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee request Council to extend the Agricultural
Viability Study Task Force for the duration of the project.
CARRIED
June 18, 2009
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F. COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS FOR INFORMATION

1. Provincial Agricultural Land Reserve

Application No. 100176
(Art & Dorothy Van Der Zalm and Mark & Terri-Anne Van Der Zalm)
File AL100176

At the May 11, 2009 Regular meeting, Council passed the following resolution:

“That Council advise the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission (PALC) that the lot
line adjustment application submitted by Art and Dorothy Van der Zalm and Mark
and Terri-Anne Van der Zalm for two properties located at 8909 and 8875 Armstrong
Road, within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), is being forwarded to the
Agricultural Land Commission for consideration of its agricultural benefits pursuant
to Part 5, Section 10 of the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and
Procedure Regulation; and that the PALC be advised that should the PALC approve
the application, it may be approved by the Township’s Approving Officer pursuant to
Section 110.5 of the Township’s Zoning Bylaw No. 2500.”

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SECTION 100 – COMMUNITY CHARTER

D. Melnychuk left the meeting at 9:11 p.m. due to a potential conflict of interest as he
has provided consultation for the applicant on the following proposal.

2. Provincial Agricultural Land Commission Application No. 100178

(Alan & Elizabeth Hendricks et al)
File AL100178

A brief discussion ensued relative to the size of the buffer area to the north of the
proposed subdivision; loss of agricultural land now and for the future; and lack of
consideration for alternate agriculture uses such as chickens, blueberries or
greenhouses.

It was noted that the land could be improved by upgrading the soil conditions
through fertilizing, etc. and the dumping issues could be solved by adding fencing or
planting blackberry bushes.

The comment was made that one of the goals of the AAC is to preserve, promote
and encourage support for keeping agricultural land viable and sustainable in the
Township of Langley.

COUNCIL

Moved by A. Robinson,
Seconded by P. Erickson,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee recommends that Council not support
Provincial Agricultural Land Commission Application No. 100178 on the basis that
the property does have agricultural properties and can have benefit to the future of
agriculture usage by residents.
CARRIED
June 18, 2009
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F. COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS FOR INFORMATION

D. Melnychuk rejoined the meeting at 9:22 p.m.

G. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

H. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

1. AAC 2009 Work Plan

R. Seifi noted that Council, at its June 15, 2009 Special Meeting, approved items 2
through 12 of the AAC’s work plan for 2009, as presented. He also noted that
Council approved extending the duration of the farm tour task force from 90 days to
120 days and approved the date for the proposed 2009 farm tour (September 18 or
25, 2009, subject to the majority of Council members able to attend.)

2. Brian Doyle

R. Seifi announced that Brian Doyle is retiring at the end of the month and thanked
him for his expertise, skill set and knowledge in working with the AAC.

I. ITEMS FROM PRIOR MEETINGS

J. OTHER BUSINESS

K. ROUND TABLE

1. Aquaculture Application
264 Street and 6 Avenue

A. Robinson discussed an application for an aquaculture facility at 264 Street and

6 Avenue. He noted that the property would have to excavate soil in order to build
the proposed fish farm. He continued that the ALC approved the application, as fish
farming is included under agricultural uses of land. He noted that gravel extraction
in Langley is not allowed, but the ALC can overrule; which jeopardizes agricultural
land.

R. Seifi noted that a letter was sent to the PALC advising that Township Council had
requested that the application not be approved.

D. Melnychuk suggested that these types of issues be brought up at a future joint

meeting between the AAC and the PACL (gravel concerns).
June 18, 2009
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L. NEXT MEETING

Date: TBA
Location: Salmon River Committee Room
4th Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue
Time: 7:00 p.m.

M. TERMINATE

Moved by T. Reinhart,
Seconded by A. Robinson,
That the meeting terminate at 9:57 p.m.
CARRIED

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

Vice-Chair, Vic MacDonald