Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Regional District of Nanaimo established an Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) to assist in a range of RDN initiatives. This includes providing comments and recommendations to the Board on a range of agricultural issues.

The role of the AAC is to:

Increase awareness of agricultural issues in the RDN
Assist in the implementation of the RDN Agricultural Area Plan (AAP) and other agricultural initiatives
Provide local perspective and expertise to advise the RDN Board on a range of agricultural issues on an ongoing and as needed basis.

The AAC advises the RDN Board on initiatives by:

Monitoring and evaluating the AAP and its implementation
Preparing regular reports to the Board with RDN staff assistance
Providing comments and recommendations to the RDN Board as it relates to agriculture on items, including but not limited to:
- The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS)
- Official Community Plans (OCP)
- Local Area Plans
- RDN Zoning Bylaws
- Parks and Trails Master Plans
- Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Plans
- Liquid Waste Management Plans
- Rainwater Management Plans
- Noxious weed/insect control
Other items referred to the AAC by the Board upon request or as directed by Board policy
Providing commends and recommendations on applications under the Agricultural Land Commission Act for exclusion, subdivision, non-adhering residential use, or non-farm use of Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land
Promoting public awareness of agriculture and its role and economic value in the community
Advocating on behalf of the agricultural community.

Members

The AAC of a maximum of ten members appointed by the RDN Board. Members represent a diverse range of interests including elected officials, commodity groups/producers, and established regional farming and aquaculture organizations. AAC members should reside, own property, or conduct business within the RDN.

Membership representation will be as follows:

Community Members:
- Two members who actively participate in agriculture in District 68
- Two members who actively participate in agriculture in District 69
- Two members representing regional agricultural organizations
- One member representing shellfish aquaculture organizations
Elected Members:
- One Electoral Area Director from District 68
- One Electoral Area Director from District 69
- One Municipal Director

Community members are appointed by the RDN Board through an open application process. Members are recruited through advertisements in local media, word of mouth, and use of the RDN website. In addition, direct invitations may be used to solicit participation by the specific interests listed above. Applications must demonstrate interest in agriculture and ability to commit the necessary time to the AAC.

The Regional Board will appoint two Electoral Area Directors and one Municipal Director as outlined above. The Board will designate one of the three Board representatives as the Chairperson for the AAC.

Non-Voting Advisors

The AAC may seek representatives from other organizations to advise the AAC on an as needed basis, to provide expertise in response to the needs of the AAC.

Term

The term of appointment for AAC members is two years. In order to allow staggering of Committee membership and allow for greater continuity for the AAC and its works, approximately half of the Community member terms will expire each year.

No substitute members will be permitted. If a member must resign from the Committee, their position will be filled through the application process.

No remuneration for participation on the Committee is provided unless otherwise approved by the Board. However, if Committee activities coincide with mealtimes, meals may be provided.

Documents