About the work of the Agricultural Alliance
The Alliance was established in November 2008 as one of the recommendations of the Area Farm Plan to oversee its implementation. The Alliance also represents agricultural interests for all levels of government and works to find and secure funding to support agriculture on Salt Spring Island.
Monthly director meetings are held at the Farmers Institute, on Rainbow Road.
The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, a key component of the Area Farm Plan, has been set up as a separate organization.
Directors
Directors of the Agricultural Alliance come from our member organizations:
- Salt Spring Island Farmers Institute (directors Bruce Marshall, Tony Threlfall, and Margaret Thomson)
- Island Natural Growers (directors Anne Macey, Janis Gauthier, Jan Steinman)
- Salt Springers for Safe Food (director Roger Middleton)
- Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce (director Ken Byron)
- Earth Festival Society (director Elizabeth White)
About the Area Farm Plan
In June 2006 the Investment Agricultural Foundation of British Columbia approved funding for the development of an Area Farm Plan for Salt Spring Island. Additional support came from Islands Trust, Capital Regional District, Salt Spring Island Farmers Institute, and Island Natural Growers, the local chapter of Canadian Organic Growers. Derek Masselink was contracted to facilitate the community planning process and help develop the plan.
- Download Area Farm Plan summary, 744 KB
- Download Area Farm Plan presentation, 2.6 MB
- Download detailed Area Farm Plan report, 1.9 MB
In the fall of 2006, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food conducted an agricultural land use inventory for Salt Spring Island, producing a series of maps showing primary land use activities and agricultural land use changes. The draft report informed the planning process.
Three community dialogues were held in January, February, and March of 2007, bringing together over 100 people interested in agriculture and food. Full details of this process and the community input are available.
- Download Area Farm Plan community dialogues, 4.2 MB
The key recommendations of the Area Farm Plan are:
- Establish the Salt Spring Island Agricultural Alliance
- Establish the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust
- Establish key community facilities that support the expansion of agricultural activities