Agriculture in the community

Farm businesses share the landscape, air, ground water and surface water with our local communities. In most cases, the farmers and employees have family roots in the local community.

Stewardship of our shared natural resources has many advantages for both agricultural producers and other community members. Farming activities enhance local quality of life by:

Farming depends on meeting the needs of today without compromising long term sustainability.  Assessing your farm’s environmental stewardship can promote:

• Contributing to wildlife habitat
• Maintaining or improving  soil, water, air, woodland and wildlife
• Managing the impact of farming practices on neighbours
• Long -term business opportunities

Community involvement

Farms are important to local communities, and many residents are interested in farming operations in their neighbourhoods. The way that farmers communicate and explain their farm practices and the reasons behind them to the community will be reflected in the levels of community understanding and acceptance of farming operations. Open and effective communications can lead to:

• Goodwill for your farm business
• New business opportunities
• Greater community understanding of how farms work, and reduced complaints from neighbours
• Training opportunities for farm team members

Offering agri-tourism experiences on the farm is a way to involve the community while diversifying business opportunities.

• Farm Diversification Through Agri-Tourism Manual (PDF)

Industry involvement

Active participation in agricultural organizations, value and supply chains, and other business organizations, enable farm team members to contribute to industry solutions and industry advancement. Such involvement:

• Helps monitor trends and issues
• Provides business opportunities
• Reduces risks to the farm
• Creates training opportunities for farm staff
• Find agricultural industry organizations in B.C.

Environmental stewardship

Community and industry-level involvement with environmental stewardship:

• Balances community and industry resources with operational resources
• Mitigates public concerns
• Communicates how your farm benefits the community

Best practices

• Incorporate best management and stewardship practices to improve and maintain the land, water, air, woodlot, and wildlife resource bases
• Research new technologies, production methods and management practices that make the most efficient use of resources
• Meet and exceed industry standards
• Manage the impact of farming practices on neighbours
• Analyze environmental, social and financial benefits and costs when making business decisions
  • Learn more about agricultural production practices
  • Get information about managing natural resources on the farm