Uvic Thesis Template
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Pathways to Resilience: Obstacles and Opportunities for Small-Scale Agriculture and Local Food Systems in British Columbia by W. Matthew Dell B.A., University of Victoria, 2009 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Political Science W. Matthew Dell, 2015 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Pathways to Resilience: Obstacles and Opportunities for Small-Scale Agriculture and Local Food Systems in British Columbia by W. Matthew Dell B.A., University of Victoria, 2009 Supervisory Committee Dr. James Lawson, (Department of Political Science) Supervisor Dr. Kimberly Speers, (School of Public Administration) Outside Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. James Lawson, (Department of Political Science) Supervisor Dr. Kimberly Speers, (School of Public Administration) Outside Member Climate change will impact food systems around the world by creating new ecological threats to crops and challenging the massive energy inputs required by modern industrial agriculture. The severity of these threats suggests that British Columbia's food system is unprepared for the adverse effects of climate change. The province currently produces 48% of its food requirements, much of which is allocated to export markets, and expansion of this system will be difficult as only 1% of provincial land is considered “prime” farmland. One way to prepare a food system for climate threats is to enhance the system’s resilience. A resilient system can quickly adapt to new external problems while maintaining its structure and productivity. A resilient food system is built on three important attributes: internal strength, diversity and flexibility. While there are numerous policy options to enhance resilience, this thesis focuses on role of small-scale agriculture and local food systems. This thesis will argue that provincial and local governments in British Columbia should pursue policies designed to expand small-scale food production and strengthen local food economies, as these scales of agriculture offer a practical and politically feasible way to create a more resilient food system. To gather policy options that can achieve this goal, this thesis relies on ideas and insights gathered from sixteen interviews with a diverse group of small-scale farmers throughout B.C. These on-farm perspectives are then evaluated within the complex policy environment that impacts agriculture policy. Agriculture policy in B.C. is influenced by multiple variables, including established policies and financial investments that support large-scale and international agriculture, limited government budgets, challenging relations between provincial and local governments, and bureaucratic challenges with implementing and operating agriculture programs. Despite these challenges, there are numerous policy opportunities and partners that can help policies to support small-scale production succeed. This thesis analyses these obstacles and opportunities, and puts forward a comprehensive list of policy options organized by their political practicality. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee………………………………………………...………………….………ii Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………...….iii Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………….iv List of Acronyms………………………………………………….…………….………………...vi List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………….……….vii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….….………….viii Dedication…………………………………………………………………………...…………….ix Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………….1 Introduction to Topic……………….…….…………………………………………………….1 Purpose of Thesis…………………………..………………………………….………………..2 Importance of Thesis………………………...………………………………………………….3 Background: Climate Change and Agricultural Resilience………..…………………………...4 Background: Small-Scale Agriculture……………………………..…………………………...6 Research Methodology: Interviews with Small-Scale Farmers……..………………………….9 Thesis Limitations and Delimitations………………………………..………………………..14 Organization of Thesis…………………………………………………………………..…….15 Chapter 2: Background: Climate Change and Food Systems……………………………......16 Water Issues: Precipitation and Flooding…………………………………..............................17 Water Shortages, Drought and Desertification…………………………………………...…...19 Glaciers and Snowpack………………………………………………………………………..20 Rising Ocean Levels…………………………………………………………………………..21 Pests, Pathogens and Weeds……………………………………………………………….….22 Frost and Pollination Problems……………………………………………………………......23 The Unpredictability of Climate Change……………………………………………………...24 The Importance of Emission Reductions………………………………………………….......25 Fertilizer Production………………………………………………………………………......27 Chapter 3: Current State Analysis: Weaknesses in British Columbia’s Food System….….29 Lack of Agricultural Diversity………………………………………………………………...29 Unstable Import Sources………………………………………………………………………30 Limited Farmland …………………………………………………………………………….32 Increasing Population and Aging Farmers…………………………………………………….33 Chapter 4: Exploring Agricultural Resilience: The Role of Small-Scale Agriculture and Local Food Systems……………………………………………………………………….….….35 Resilience Literature…………………………………………………………………………. 36 External Cycles………………………………………………………………………….…….38 Diversity and Resilience………………………………………………………………………39 Flexibility and Resilience……………………………………………………………….…….41 Information Networks………………………………………………………………….……...44 Diversity and Flexibility in Small Scale Agriculture and Local Food Systems……….……...47 Chapter 5 : Towards a More Resilient Food System : Policy Priorities…………………..…49 Farmland Preservation…………………………….………………..……...…………..……… 50 Reforming the Agricultural Land Reserve……………………………………………….51 Local Governments and Land-use Zoning……………………………………………….54 Zoning Issues…………………………………………………………………………….57 Other Farmland Policy Options………………………………………………………….61 Policies to Support Small-Scale Agriculture…………………………………………..……….63 Access to Markets………………………………………………………………………..64 v Community Markets……………………………………………………………………..65 Community Supported Agriculture………………………………………………………68 Infrastructure, Facilities, Equipment and Subsidies……………………………………..69 Policies to Develop Sustainable Consumption Habits………………………………….……..73 Labelling…………………………………………………………………………………74 Organic Labelling………………………………………………………………………..76 Location Labeling………………………………………………………………………..81 Carbon Labelling…………………………………………………………….…………...84 Education Opportunities in Public Institutions ………………………………………….86 Public Spaces for Agriculture……………………………………………………………88 Food Waste………………………………………………………………………………89 Training Farmers and Agriculture Education………………………………………….……...90 Farm Education Programs………………………………………………………………..92 Extension Agents and Farm Reviews……………………………………………………93 Farm Mentorship Programs……………………………………………………………...94 Environmental Farm Plan Program………………………………………….…………...94 Transition Programs……………………………………………………………………...95 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….....96 Chapter 6: Reforming British Columbia’s Food System: Obstacles and Opportunities…...98 The Growth and Influence of International Agriculture………………………………….…...99 Support Programs and Subsidies for Industrial Agriculture…………………………………104 Financial Legacies…………………………………………………………………………...106 Policy Opportunities for the Local Food Movement………………………………………...107 Organizational Challenges for the Local Food Movement…………………………………..110 Bureaucratic Challenges……………………………………………………………………..113 Government Funding and Provincial/Local Government Relations…………………………115 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...119 Chapter 7: Discussion and Analysis……..…………………...……………………………….121 Thesis Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………135 Appendix A: Interview Questions………………...………………………………………..…139 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………140 vi List of Acronyms ALC – Agricultural Land Commission ALR – Agricultural Land Reserve AGLG – Office of the Auditor General for Local Governments BCAFM – British Columbia Association of Farmers’ Market BCAC – British Columbia Agriculture Council BCAITCF – British Columbia Agriculture In The Classroom Foundation BCLC - Boundary Country Livestock Cooperative BCSSFPO - British Columbia Small Scale Food Processor Organization CAIS - Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization CETA - Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement COABC - Certified Organic Farming Association of British Columbia CSA – Community Supported Agriculture EFP - Environmental Farm Plan program FMNCP - Farmers Market Nutrition and Coupon Program GHG – Greenhouse gas IPCC – International Panel on Climate Change MIR - Meat Inspection Regulations NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement UBCM - Union of British Columbia Municipalities WTO – World Trade Organization vii List of Tables Table 1: Characteristics of Participants………………………………………………..8 viii Acknowledgments I would first like to acknowledge the support and friendship of Dr. Jeremy Wilson over the course of my undergraduate and graduate degrees, and throughout this thesis. Thank you also to James Lawson for your constant enthusiasm, support and strong guidance while I was writing this thesis. Thanks to all the close friends I met in the graduate program – Gordon Ruby, Mike Smith, Mike Bridges, Mike Radmacher, Janice Dowson, Julia Bareman, and my wonderful roommate Zoe the Icelander. Thanks to my mom for proofreading this thesis, and to by uncles Mike Shoop and Don Zadravec for their guidance and