Agriculture

Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Food Security and Agricultural Advisory Committee (FSAAC) was originally appointed by City Council in mid-2003. The Committee now consists of ten members, including:

  • Four (4) farming representatives from the general agricultural community (i.e. crops, livestock, nursery, greenhouses, etc.).  A farming representative is defined as a farmer who derives a majority of his/her income from farming.  Farming representatives should include a variety of farmers, including:
    • Two (2) large-scale farmers; and
    • Two (2) small-scale farmers.
  • Three (3) food security representatives.
  • Two (2) representatives from the community at large.
  • One (1) representative from the Advisory Committee on the Environment.

  • Members are selected on the basis of their involvement and knowledge of local farming conditions and commitment to maintaining long-term agricultural viability in Richmond.

Liaisons from Council and City Staff are appointed to work with the FSAAC.

Duties
The FSAAC is appointed to:

  1. Provide advice (e.g., information, options and recommendations) to City Council on agricultural and food security issues (e.g., farm community, land use, diversification, constraints, urban-rural issues, servicing, etc.) of concern to the community;

  2. Advise and assist City Council and City staff in implementing the Richmond Agricultural Viability Strategy;

  3. Review and comment from the agricultural viability and food security perspective on issues, plans and specific development applications referred by staff or Council; and

  4. Promote awareness, education, consensus and partnerships of agricultural and food security issues in Richmond.

For more information, please refer to the FSAAC Terms of Reference​.