Title
Future of Agriculture Study - September 2015 Situation Report.
Proposed Motion:
That the Committee of the Whole (CoW) accept the Future of Agriculture Study - September 2015 update as information.
Body
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the Future of Agriculture Study, and to seek the Committee's input on the status and vision of agriculture in Parkland County. Phase 1 of the of the Future of Agriculture Study includes a "Situation Report" (Attachment 2). Administration will present a review of the project findings and background work completed to date by the Consultants (Toma and Bouma). The Phase 1 findings include: highlights of an analysis of agricultural statistics for Parkland County; analysis of current policies and plans; one-on-one consultation findings; focus group meeting findings; and soil and additional agricultural information. Administration, as part of this meeting, wishes to have a discussion with the CoW respect to the following questions:
1. The Status of Agriculture in Parkland County in 2015 and in the future:
a. What does it mean for Parkland County?
b. What has changed and is changing?
c. What fits and has a future?
d. What are the needs or what could to be considered?
e. What are the implications and requirements associated with each need or consideration?
2. A Vision for agriculture in Parkland County - what might a picture of the future look like?
The Consultant is proposing the following scenarios for discussion:
a. “Base Scenario” - continuing current agricultural trends and the status quo as it relates to agriculture.
b. “Maintenance Scenario" - policies and support programs to maintain/sustain agriculture.
c. “Pro-Agri-Food Scenario" - policies, strategic investments and support programs to build the agri-food capacity in Parkland County.
d. Other - explore other ideas and/or potential outcomes.
3. Principles for Planning - a discussion of the core principles that will guide the preparation of the Phase 2 Future of Agriculture Report.
Summary
On May 12, 2015 the County entered into a contract with Toma and Bouma Consultants to complete the Future of Agriculture Study. The Study is divided into two (2) phases.
• Phase 1 outlines current and future agricultural characteristics, current practices and resources that exist, or may exist in the future for the County. This phase will also propose a vision and principles to provide direction on future agricultural opportunities in the County.
• Phase 2 will develop preferred scenarios and recommendations for the enhancement, diversification and preservation of agriculture in the future. The phase will also provide policies and procedures for the implementation of overall study findings.
Currently:
Phase 1- has begun and is nearing completion. At this time, it is presented as the “Situation Report”, (see Attachment 2). Administration, at this meeting, wishes to have a discussion with the Committee on the information presented in the Situation Report.
Phase 2- is being developed based on findings and information from the Situation Report and Phase 1 report. Administration, at this meeting, wishes to have a further discussion with the Committee to assist with the Phase 2 report.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Findings from the Future of Agriculture Study (Phase 1 and Phase 2) will inform several key results in Council’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan under the strategic priority areas of agriculture, economic development and tourism. Study findings from the Future of Agriculture Study will also assist Administration in preparing new agriculture policies. These policies will be included in the Community Sustainability & Development Plan (CSDP) which will be completed in mid-2016.
Cost:
$216,092
Source of Funding:
Taxation
Attachments:
1. Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Future of Agriculture Study
2. Situation Report (Overview of Findings and Information)