Agricultural Committee seeks more "powers" over decision making
Wed. August 21st 2024
Happy Summer!! Though our Substack has been slow, we have been working diligently behind the scenes on our next paper, some legal work, and other exciting new ventures! Thank you to all who are always there supporting our work, and to all the members, who keep us going!
Because Wed. meeting has multiple items of concern, we will send out TWO Substacks today, please look for both and share with those you may feel would like to be privy to the information.
Under “Items for Decision” in the Wednesday meeting, staff have recommended that Council accepts the resolutions made in the June 27th Agriculture Committee, which include: “The committee made three resolutions regarding the workplan, which are discussed in turn:
1. Including all non-farm use applications for review by the AgAC. (Agriculture Committee)
2. Including all residential non-adhering applications for review by the AgAC.
3. Defining opportunities for short-term agricultural action, including investigating
partnership with interested individuals and relevant organizations for use or lease of
municipally-owned land for agricultural purposes. (our emphasis)
Item 4.3 Resolutions 1 & 2
The committee’s resolutions would result in approximately twice as many applications going before the AgAC, including minor applications, and ones that ultimately end up being cancelled or converted into a different type of application (such as Notice of Intent).”
How it is worded, is not completely clear for those not directly involved, however it does indicate that the committee would have quite a bit of say 0n land use in the future.
During one council meeting, a councillor let it slip that THEY vote on the committee members in closed meetings, and we see everything as a 3-4 vote typically with our council, so it does not surprise one that all the committee members tend to lean one “way”. The Committee includes some big mover’s and shakers in the Grant and Education industry. We ask, could their decisions on municipal land use and other such issues mentioned above, ever benefit or be influenced by, or for, their organizations /affiliations? Maybe not, but it should be a question still posed. We do not see any Old School farmers, of which this Valley has many, that may possibly bring differing views from those represented in this group. We are aware of a few who applied and were denied. All the below committee members are hard working, dedicated folks, out to do the best they see fit for our agricultural community of course, however the lack of diversity of thought, gives one pause, as do some of their affiliations.
(Royal Roads, VIU, and UBC have been presenters, and/or participants in studies for the Municipality)
The committee consists of:
(Highlights are ours)
Councillor Christopher Justice : North Cowichan Councillor, was on the Environmental Advisory Committee last term, and was one of the Councillors who voted to acknowledge that North Cowichan was in a “Climate Emergency”. Past director at Social Planning Cowichan and the Quamichan Watershed Stewardship Society.
Chair DeLisa Lewis: Research Associate and Lecturer; Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia (2012); “My work is focused on research, teaching, and farming practices designed to contribute to regenerating regional farming and food systems”. “ I approach this with an aim to build knowledge and skills in response to complex challenges of soil, water, and climate dynamics. Since 2014, soil nutrients, climate mitigation and adaptation focused research projects led by Sean Smukler with his Sustainable Agriculture Landscapes Lab team” (Sean Smukler, Associate Professor, Applied Biology & Soil Science and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm Chair, Agriculture and the Environment; Director of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm)
Don MarocCC: In an interview with Six Mountains Don stated :“My personal attitude towards logging is not a positive one,” ; “In one sentence, I would absolutely stop any clearcutting. Right here in that forest reserve, no more clearcutting. That’s nonsense.” “There’s no ecological reasons for clearcutting. It’s not only destructive of the trees, you destroy the earth because you use all the machinery, tear the hell out of everything.” Don Maroc had a career as an electrician before joining the Cowichan News Leader, well known in the Valley for his columns called “View From The Left”. (News Leader closed in 2015)
Derek Masselink: “I am trained as an ecologist and landscape architect, and have over 20 years experience working in a number of diverse areas including sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, wildlife ecology, park planning, First Nations relations and treaty negotiations, land use planning and management, and rural community planning. In addition to my consultancy work, I am an Associate Faculty member at Royal Roads University where I teach an introductory course on Governance for Sustainability in the Masters of Environmental Management Program. I am also a member of the BC Partners for Social Impact a collaborative partnership between government, business and the non-profit sector…”
Jennifer Woike; President of British Columbia Agriculture Council (BC Agriculture Council · Contract Full-time, BC Agriculture Council · Contract Full-time Apr 2023 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos.); Owner of Farmer Ben’s Eggs “ My family and I own and operate numerous farms here in the area ranging from Large scale poultry production 55,000 layers, hay crops, free run grass fed beef operation to our newest adventure hazelnut farming.” “From 2011-2014 I was elected to City Council in the Municipality of North Cowichan. In that role I chaired the Agricultural Advisory Committee as well as the Parks and Recreation Committee. I was instrumental in establishing a 5 year plan for Agriculture within the Municipality and obtaining funding in order to proceed with ideas.”, “I have an excellent understanding of all levels of government and have many pre-existing relationships with individuals at all levels.”
Jenny Horn: Agriculture Project Development - Vancouver Island University On-Call Aug 2021 - Present Cowichan Valley - “Hybrid Develop a suite of Agriculture and Food-related Micro-credential certificate programs in response to on-going Gap Analysis of Agriculture Training and Development programs in British Columbia for the Continuing Education and Training Association of BC (CETA BC)."; “HDR Program and Agreements Coordinator, University of Queensland Jun 2019 - Jul 2021 · 2 yrs 2 mos· Brisbane, Australia - Facilitating grants, scholarships and industry/philanthropic funding agreements specifically for Higher Degree by Research candidates.”
Judy Stafford: Executive Director Executive Director -Cowichan Green Community Dec 2007 - Present. Cowichan Valley Green Community which receives Millions in grants from the Province, the CVRD, and North Cowichan. “Over the last few years, CGC has raised more than $1.2 million for its projects from a number of funding agencies, including $800,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture and $225,000 from the Federal Local Food Infrastructure Fund” _ Cowichan Valley Citizen 2021. CGC also leases land long-term from North Cowichan. - Director, CVRD Environment Commission - Cowichan Valley Regional District, Mar 2008 - Present. Vice President, Board of Directors, Duncan Business Improvement Area Association Oct 2009 - present.
Nick Neisingh was on the Official Community Plan Advisory Group for NC OCP. Owner of Tatlo Farm
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Thanks for all your support! Team COAP