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By Liam Verster

Regional Agricultural Plan Review

North Okanagan Agricultural Plan to be reviewed

Jun 4, 2025 | 11:08 AM

The Regional District of North Okanagan has endorsed the Terms of Reference for a review to its plan that oversees agricultural and food production practices in the region.

The RDNO has had its Regional Agricultural Plan (RAP) in place since 2015, though in February of 2025 the Board of Directors recommended that it be reviewed, updated and modernized to reflect current needs of the sector.and current regulations, while putting a focus on economic resilience and food systems.

New Terms of Reference for the RAP were developed and include a three phased approach for reviewing the plan, which will be done in a period of between eight to 12 months by the Regional Agricultural Committee and area partners and stakeholders.

The scope of work for the project, outlined in a report to the RDNO’s Regional Growth Management Advisory Committee (RGMAC), involved:

• PHASE 1
  • Update baseline data
  • Review past priorities and objectives, as well as actions, regulatory changes and policies initiated and/or changed
  • Review actions from the 2015 and identify those that remain relevcant, those that need revisions, and those that no longer apply
• PHASE 2
  • Engagement with the farming community, local governments, First Nations, and the public to identify key issues and challenges facing the sector and determine ways to address them
  • Apply a food systems lens by exploring policy and zoning options to increase access to local food, and updating policies and actions to reflect new data and information
  • Identify opportunities to support the economic viability of the agriculture and agri-food sector
• PHASE 3
  • Update and revise the RAP
  • Provide referrals to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Land Commission
  • Present a revised plan to RGMAC and the Board of Directors for endorsement

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The report stated it anticipated to have the review completed by June of 2026, and it recommended the RGMAC endorse the plan.

It was also recommended that updates be provided to the RGMAC at various milestones in the planning process.

The matter was endorsed at the committee meeting Wednesday, June 4.