Agricultural Land Reserve loses 632 hectares in 2007, the third year of reductions since 2003

Derek Penner, Vancouver Sun – Published: Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Original article
British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve experienced its biggest net loss of land in the last 10 years in 2007, with property carved off to satisfy needs for industrial developments in the north and desires for resort and residential subdivisions in the south.

The B.C. Agricultural Land Commission, according to its annual report, approved applications to take 1,220 hectares of farmland out of the 4.76-million-hectare reserve but only approved the addition of 588 hectares of non-farmland, leaving a net loss of 632 hectares.

It was the third year in the last five that the commission approved net reductions in the province’s protected farm base, eroding the last big addition made to the ALR in 1999.

Read the complete Post.

Super intensive urban agriculture generating $30,000 a year on a 1/5th of an acre. Not too shabby. Check out this short video.

  The “Flexahopper” Barrel

Having grown up in and around Britain’s allotment culture, water butts (rain barrels) were part of my existence right from when I was knee-high to a nematode. Indeed, some of my earliest gardening experiences involved watching the members of this aforementioned phylum wriggle through the algae soup that languished alongside my grandfather’s greenhouse.

Whether you see yourself as the quintessential “doomsteader” or, on the up-side, an Urban Utopian Agronomist, rainwater harvesting has a lot to offer to everyone. Saving rainwater for personal use is the ultimate in practical sustainability.

Primarily, a water barrel will enable you to side-step the usual summer hose-pipe restrictions. What’s more, you will be giving your vegetable garden the bountiful gift of un-chlorinated and oxygen-rich water. I have witnessed the difference rain-water makes first-hand; I guarantee your seedlings will grow with an increased vigour.

I had been in the market for a good rain barrel for some months; I made several reconnaissance trips to the Home De[s]pot ilk of store and, to be frank, I was most disappointed with what I encountered thereabouts. Aesthetic choice was rather limited. Yes, there are those drab round barrels; for as little as $40.00* + taxes you may procure a container whose form I have, unfortunately, come to associate with toxic-waste containment. However, on the other end of the price-spectrum, there are those units that come replete with wooden casings and heavy-duty brass faucets. So, if you want a barrel that would not look out of place in the PNE showhome, you can expect to shell out a tidy sum – ordinarily, upwards of $180.00 (+ taxes.)

By far the best option is the Flexahopper barrel offered up by Burnaby City Council. It holds 345 litres of rainwater and is made of industrial strength plastic. The good news is that Burnaby residents may buy this as a subsidized item for a very competitive $70.00 (+ taxes.) What’s more, an extra five bucks is all it takes to make one magically materialize outside your residence. They may be obtained from the City’s Yard Waste Depot located at 4800 Still Creek Avenue (west of Douglas Road). Call 604.294.7460 for more details.

Other pilot schemes that offer the Flexahopper are in place across the GVRD. Vancouver residents may pick up one for $75.00 (+ taxes) at the Vancouver South Transfer Station, located at 377 West North Kent Avenue. For those in Coquitlam, call 604-927-3500.

*A subsidized ‘radioactive-plasma container’ is available for West Van residents at the aforementioned price. Call 604 925-7101. The same deal for Port Moody residents: call 604-469-4572.

Finally, my barrel-of-choice is also sold at source by Flexahopper Plastics, 604-946-8783 – located at #12 – 7151 Honeyman in Delta (for a pricier $170.00.) 

Attention urban agriculture enthusiasts! http://vancouverurbanagriculture.ca has several workshops listed that may be of interest. There are 2 evening workshops on winter gardening (Monday Sept. 17 & Wednesday Sept. 19) followed by a soils workshop on Saturday Sept 22nd.

For details: http://vancouverurbanagriculture.ca/eventsandresources.html