Land

Here is a detailed interactive map of the ALR.

Crops

This site shows the crop production within all of British Columbia in 2004.
This site is a wealth of information and even contains a calculator that allows you to determine how much an area is worth in dollar values.
This site has data from the 2006 Statistics Canada census for the Greater Vancouver/Burnaby area. It shows how many farms in the area grow specific crops however, it does not contain area data.

Communication with Chris Thoreau

I (Ruhi) emailed him after the Vancouver Food Policy Council Meeting. I asked him how to find crop feasibility questions and this was his reply:

"Well, as a simple approach I suggest looking at what the local seed companies are selling for seeds - always a good indicator. West Coast Seeds carries an extensive line of vegetables for the West Coast climate.

As for productivity, that will vary with many factors though can find some info on the web. Only use info from areas with the same climate as here. Labour is also extremely variable depending on scale and crops grown.

You may want to pose your question to the COABC listserv"

Economics

Economic Strategy for Agriculture in the Lower Mainland
- This study was conducted in 2002, and outlines strategies that will maximize the economic gains from Lower Mainland farms.
- It contains information on the current economic state of the farms, regulation and the government's role.

Region Specific Information

Richmond

Richmond has 247 farms which results in a total of 3,012 ha of farmland. This site has a table which outlines the different crops and the total hectares devoted to each of them.

Agriculture Methods

This paper does an amazing job of outlining the differing urban agriculture methods and their feasibility in Metro Vancouver.

Community Gardens
Rooftop
- There are some pros and cons to this type of gardening. Some major cons being the transport of resources, irrigation and drainage, wind, and pollination.
Backyards
- Sharing Backyards
Landscaping
- Instead of planting ornamental plants, we could have "edible landscaping." This may include fruits, salads etc., and could change with the seasons.
- Here's a Metro Vancouver site on the topic.
Hydroponics
- This technology enables plants to grow without soil thereby decreasing space requirements.
- [1]
Greenhouses
Inside buildings
- Only certain food items such as mushrooms and seed sprouts can be grown indoors in large quantities.
Schools
- A new VSB policy came out this summer supporting the implementation of school food gardens
Livestock
- Chickens
  - Officially legal in Metro Vancouver. Here's a site that describes the logistics.

Water Usage Research Information

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"Water Quality Protection"

1. Agricultural Best Management Practices:

Webpage summary: http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1197485172103&lang=eng PDF Document, actual report: http://www4.agr.gc.ca/resources/prod/doc/pfra/pdf/Agric_bmp_e.pdf - overview/summary of impacts of agriculture practice on water quality - highlighted ways to prevent movement of agriculture chemicals (herbicides/pesticides/fertilizers) into our groundwater systems

My take on this link: this link provides a good summary of how to integrate the "Pesticides" information with "Water Supply" because they cover agricultural best practices that safeguard against contamination of the water used and also directly affects the amount of water supplied. This link can be removed though as more research is collected. It's very general to agriculture/water issues.

"Surface Water Supply"

2. Technical Support for Water Supply Development:

Cost-effective approach to develop regional water supply systems in rural areas a) Surface water supply = dugouts; linked to Govt of Alberta: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng4696 b) Ground water supply = water wells; linked to Govt of Alberta: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/wwg404

My take on these links: It'll be good to know the methods of bringing any water supply to an area that's not already set-up with a water supply system yet. Based on the kinds of areas that we decide to focus on throughout the report for feasible crop/plant growth, these two links offers the technical information necessary to backup our choices. So good to keep in mind.

"Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues: National Summary"

3. British Columbia:

The outcomes of a provincial-specific consultation WRT water supply issues: http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1187633401217&lang=eng - Though BC is thought to be abundant with freshwater, even the wettest areas (that receive ~2500mm precipitation a year) can encounter water shortages. - Supply is strained amongst agricultural lands because of high demand in late summer days. The strain is also a result of high precipitation only around winter months and the lack of groundwater supply available for the vast majority of agricultural lands. - This article links potential solutions to mitigate water issues often seen in BC.

My take on this link: This link is directing us down a better path of understanding BC's water supply issues WRT agricultural lands. But it does not extend beyond a broad summary of this provincial consultation. I'm calling their toll-free hotline on Monday, November 08, 2010 to request a copy of the full report, "Analysis of Agricultural Water Supply Issues - National Water Supply Expansion Program - British Columbia."

BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

"Publications and Conceptual Plans: Water"

4. Agriculture Water Demand Model - Okanagan Basin:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500Series/500300-3_Agric_Water_Demand_Model-Okanagan_Report.pdf - This report is specific to the Okanagan Valley Basin for agrilculture and the water usage data - Page 44 is worth mentioning. Table A1 shows the irrigation demand by crop types (apples, berry, cherry, vegetable - not separated there, corn, alfalfa, etc) for the year of 2003 - Page 45: Table A2 shows the irrigation demand by irrigation style (by hand, by sprinkler, by a lot of other types that will need some definitions). This can be useful to decide the kind of microscale water supply infrastructure a certain piece of land can use for irrigation of crops/plants. - Page 46: Table A3 shows irrigation demand by soil type (clay, loam, etc.). I think this table is quite important to determine the water supply demanded of certain plots of land. We can optimize the soil used to meet water restrictions and crop needs. Good reference table.

5. Irrigation Factsheet of Irrigation Demands for Specific Regions in BC (*Ours is Region 2: Fraser Valley, includes Vancouver and New Westminster):

PDF Link Published September 2000, from 1995 data: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500Series/550100-1.pdf - This separates hectares of land irrigated by Fraser Valley Region (Vancouver/New West - there is a crude map outline in the report of Region 2) - This separates water demand by irrigation by Region 2 - This also separates types of crops irrigated by Region 2 - Contact for this report is: Ted Van der Gulik (ph: 604 556 3112, email: ted.vandergulik@gems8.gov.ca)

6. Irrigation Factsheet of Irrigation Costs for the Various Variables Involved in Irrigation Systems:

PDF Link Published September 2000: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500Series/580000-3.pdf - This is a cool factsheet/worksheet. It shows you how to calculate costs for irrigation systems and water demands for farms. - A lot of math, but worthwhile to look at and use if we want to include the cost of irrigation into our report and and final decisions. - We can use these calculations as we see fit to our proposed acreage/land type/irrigation type/crop type, etc.

7. Irrigation Factsheet: Irrigation Equipment Costs:

PDF Link Published March 2003: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500Series/580200-1.pdf - This includes numbers specific to the equipment involved in irrigation systems. Might be included along with link (6).

8. Irrigation Factsheet: Irrigation System Set-up and Maintenance:

PDF Link Published September 1994: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500Series/577200-1.pdf - This describes what needs to be done to set up an irrigation system: from powder source, intakes, delivery system type, distribution systems involved, etc. - Could be important link for a quick and dirty summary of setting up a proper water supply system depending on the size of the land that we decide.