Agricultural Land Reserve

A blue heron swooped over flooded cranberry fields in Pitt Meadows. (David Heberlein/Special to The News)

IN OUR VIEW: ALR marks 50 years

Land reserve has kept farmland safe from development for five decades

  • Apr 23, 2023

 

Otter Co-op closed to make room for an overpass, and sought to re-open at an equestrian centre. The ALC turned down the application. One letter writer wants the municipality to get more involved. (The News files)

LETTER: Another Pitt Meadows resident questions ALC’s co-op decision

City should be showing more support for rural areas, letter writer says

  • Feb 17, 2023

 

Otter Co-op in Pitt Meadows closed in late 2022 to accommodate a new Harris Road underpass at the CP Rail crossing but the new location has been blocked by the Agricultural Land Commission. (Google Maps)

LETTER: Pitt Meadows bookkeeper says ALC’s Otter Co-op decision doesn’t add up

Why wouldn’t a rural setting be appropriate for a feed store, letter writer asks

  • Feb 3, 2023

 

Otter Co-op was being displaced and the Agricultural Land Commission has refused permission for a new site. (The News files)

LETTER: Pitt Meadows resident questions ALC decision on co-op

Reasons given for rejecting an application for a new site don’t sit well with neighbour

  • Feb 2, 2023
Otter Co-op was being displaced and the Agricultural Land Commission has refused permission for a new site. (The News files)
Maple Ridge council has chosen a concept for development of the Yennadon Lands.

Maple Ridge council asking for farmland to be included in Yennadon Lands

Agricultural Land Commission already suggested site be removed from ALR

Maple Ridge council has chosen a concept for development of the Yennadon Lands.
Dave Dinesen, CEO of CubicFarm Systems, with racks of growing leafy green vegetables. (CubicFarms/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Vertical farming company lauds ALR rule change

Based in Pitt Meadows and Langley, CubicFarms makes vertical farming equipment

Dave Dinesen, CEO of CubicFarm Systems, with racks of growing leafy green vegetables. (CubicFarms/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
A photo showing the vertical farming concept. (Funky Banana Farm photo)

Province revises ALR regulations to make room for vertical farming

Minister of Agriculture: Agri-tech innovations may help solve ‘food security and food economy puzzle’

A photo showing the vertical farming concept. (Funky Banana Farm photo)
Farmgate sales of meat have been restricted in B.C. since new federal rules took effect in 2001. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. issuing new farmgate licences to allow meat sales this fall

Health rules restrict sales to local regional districts only

Farmgate sales of meat have been restricted in B.C. since new federal rules took effect in 2001. (B.C. government photo)
Google Earth image of B.C.’s Fraser Valley, an area of intensive agriculture and development pressure for housing and industrial needs. (Google)

Eyes in the sky have a future for B.C. farmland, minister says

Satellite surveillance of agricultural use stopped after protests

Google Earth image of B.C.’s Fraser Valley, an area of intensive agriculture and development pressure for housing and industrial needs. (Google)
B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. (Screen shot)

Government to allow ‘more residential flexibility’ in agricultural lands, says B.C. minister

B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham was guest speaker Friday during Surrey Board of Trade-hosted Zoom meeting

B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. (Screen shot)
Black Press file photo.

Local MLAs praise regulatory changes allowing secondary homes in ALR

NDP make regulatory reversal to allow flexibility to housing options in ALR land

Black Press file photo.
A farm tractor and baler sit in a hay field on a misty morning, ready for a day’s harvest. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

B.C. to ease restrictions on secondary farm homes – in 2022

Agricultural Land Commission approval won’t be needed

A farm tractor and baler sit in a hay field on a misty morning, ready for a day’s harvest. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Saik’uz First Nation Coun. Jasmine Thomas and Chief Priscilla Mueller speak about the need for addiction treatment facility near Vanderhoof, March 2021. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Remote B.C. addiction treatment centre tries again with ministry support

Agriculture minister insists she is not interfering in land commission

Saik’uz First Nation Coun. Jasmine Thomas and Chief Priscilla Mueller speak about the need for addiction treatment facility near Vanderhoof, March 2021. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
South Surrey farmland, March 2020. The province’s crackdown on secondary residences sparked protests that have the NDP government engaged in a lengthy rewrite of its legislation. (Tracy Holmes/Peace Arch News)

B.C. NDP now wants to keep even ‘non-farmers’ on the land

‘Grandfathering’ of second residences extended again

South Surrey farmland, March 2020. The province’s crackdown on secondary residences sparked protests that have the NDP government engaged in a lengthy rewrite of its legislation. (Tracy Holmes/Peace Arch News)
Farmland in Surrey. (Photo: Surrey.ca)

B.C. Agriculture minister sends Surrey ‘stern’ letter for nixing agriculture advisory committee

Cities intending to restrict or prohibit agriculture within a farming area may need to be ‘regulated,’ Lana Popham warned

Farmland in Surrey. (Photo: Surrey.ca)
Cheslatta Carrier Nation chief Corinna Leween speaks to the annual B.C. Natural Resources Forum, Jan. 27, 2021. Leween is president of Carrier Sekani Family Services, a delegated agency of the B.C. government serving northern B.C. communities. (B.C. Natural Resources Forum)

B.C. addiction treatment centre rejected because it’s on ‘agricultural’ land

Remote fishing lodge on Tachick Lake has never been farmed

Cheslatta Carrier Nation chief Corinna Leween speaks to the annual B.C. Natural Resources Forum, Jan. 27, 2021. Leween is president of Carrier Sekani Family Services, a delegated agency of the B.C. government serving northern B.C. communities. (B.C. Natural Resources Forum)
An acreage on a former golf course? It’s a hole in one!

An acreage on a former golf course? It’s a hole in one!

Board horses, start a vineyard, open a driving range or follow your own home-based business dream

  • Sep 28, 2020
An acreage on a former golf course? It’s a hole in one!
Darvonda greenhouse in Langley is asking the ALC to allow the return of the annual GLOW events. On Monday, June 30, 2020, Township council endorsed the application. (File)

GLOW festival organizers seek a return to orginal home in Langley

Application for “non-farm-use” goes to Agricultural Land Commission

Darvonda greenhouse in Langley is asking the ALC to allow the return of the annual GLOW events. On Monday, June 30, 2020, Township council endorsed the application. (File)
B.C. Liberal agriculture critic Ian Paton addresses farmers’ rally outside the B.C. legislature over housing restrictions, Oct. 28, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C. cuts fees, not red tape for farmland home construction

Gravel roads get relief from fill dumping regulations

B.C. Liberal agriculture critic Ian Paton addresses farmers’ rally outside the B.C. legislature over housing restrictions, Oct. 28, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
Pitt Meadows Mayor Bill Dingwall, during Tuesday’s council meeting on Zoom. (Screengrab)

LETTER: Petition author angered by Pitt Meadows mayor

One opponent of the North Lougheed redevelopment calls Bill Dingwall’s reaction ‘dismissive’

  • May 28, 2020
Pitt Meadows Mayor Bill Dingwall, during Tuesday’s council meeting on Zoom. (Screengrab)