Comment on the Agriculture Plan Wanted

While at the Agriculture Open House on Thursday the 8th, I spoke with both Keith Duhaime and Dave Whiting, consultants for this Agriculture Plan. I felt public participation and comment could be facilitated by making the large amount of information available through this blogsite, and allowing further comments to be forwarded directly by e-mail. Both gentlemen agreed that this would be beneficial to their work for the District.

So, you are welcomed and encouraged to read the following material:

Summary Poster Boards Displayed at Open House

Agricultural Plan, Full Document, Draft 4

Agricultural Plan Backgroud Report

Agricultural Plan Issues and Opportunities Report

And for a great view of Summerland's vast and varying agricultural industry, take a look at this map, Land Use by Commodity.

Your comments will be considered by the consultants and help them in preparing a final draft that represents what is important to this community. These are the issues they would like feed back on:

During the planning process, a vision was articulated for agriculture in Summerland. This vision, in turn, has guided the development of the plan. The current vision reads:


“The vision for agriculture in Summerland is that of a sustainable and environmentally sensitive agricultural industry that is a showcase for rural-urban cooperation. “

Do you support this vision? If not, how would you rewrite it?

The following broad goals have been articulated during the planning process to guide the Summerland community toward the vision, including the development of the agricultural plan. Do you support these goals as currently written?

Goals:

1. An Economically Viable and Sustainable Industry
2. Harmony between Rural and Urban Residents
3. Participative Planning for Sustainable Agriculture
4. Planning for Environmentally Sensitive Agriculture


If not, how would you rewrite them?


When implemented by the District, will this strategy effectively contribute to meeting the vision and goals of the Summerland Agricultural Plan? (see summary of vision and goals below as well as panel display)

How could this strategy be improved to make it more effective in meeting the vision and goals of the plan?

Does this strategy contribute towards addressing the issues identified by the community regarding land, water, economic viability, community awareness, urban-rural conflicts, and environmental/wildlife factors? (see panel displays on issues for additional information)

Comments and Answers to these questions can be forwarded to:

kduhaime@facet.com

Thanks for all input!