Farming (File photo 41618466 © Magicshapes | Dreamstime.com)

By Pete McIntyre

Urbanization

Ministry outlines challenges facing farming industry to Coldstream council

May 29, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Coldstream council has heard from members of B.C.’s Agriculture Ministry about the challenges facing farmers and what municipal governments can do to support the industry.

Alison Fox, land use agrologist, and Lindsay Benbow, regional agrologist, told council at their meeting May 27 the challenges include the high cost for land, the limited amount of arable land available, and the pressure for new housing in high growth areas like the Okanagan.

Image credit: Ministry of Agriculture

Other issues include fewer young people getting into farming and a lack of industrial land.

The agrologists say local governments can help by doing what they can to reduce the burdens farmers face, with more actions outlined below.

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Image credit: Ministry of Agriculture

Council received the presentation for information.

Click here to view slides of the ministry’s presentation.