The Pitt Meadows Agricultural Viability Strategy is an award-winning, comprehensive agricultural planning document that identifies opportunities to strengthen the local agriculture and agri-food sector and contribute to its long-term sustainability. Updated in 2023, the Strategy recommends actions specific to Pitt Meadows to support municipal planning efforts in the both the short and long-term.
Agricultural Viability Strategy
Vision
Agriculture in Pitt Meadows is a thriving and resilient sector where farmers are valued, productive lands are supported, and producers are equipped to adapt to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions.
Goal 2
Plan and manage infrastructure assets, such as drainage, irrigation, and roads, to ensure they are well-functioning for agriculture and supported through thoughtful decision-making.
Goal 4
Help the agriculture and agri-food sector adapt to future challenges by adopting new technology, embracing innovation, and becoming resilient to climate change.
The Agricultural Viability Strategy is intended to be implemented over a 10-year timeframe. A number of actions are already in progress, as described in the table below. This table was last updated in June 2025.
Strategy Number Strategy Implementation Status 1.1 Advocate to other levels of government for policies and regulations that support and stimulate productive stewardship of the agricultural land base. In 2024, the City submitted three resolutions to Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) asking the Province to improve the farm property tax system and better support farming. The resolutions called for changes to farm classification income rules, the school tax exemption, and a tax on unused farmland. All three were endorsed by Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) and UBCM. For more information, see the Staff Report that went to Council on February 27, 2024.
In 2025, the City submitted a resolution to UBCM asking the Province to increase funding for agriculture. It called for more support for water infrastructure, emergency planning, financial relief, farm labour, and other programs that help farming remain viable. The resolution was endorsed by LMLGA and UBCM. For more information, see the Staff Report that went to Council on February 25, 2025.
1.2 Update the OCP and Zoning Bylaw to support and strengthen agriculture. In progress – Proposed initial revisions to the agricultural components within the Zoning Bylaw were presented to the Agricultural Advisory Committee on February 13, 2025. The proposed revisions were then presented to Council for review at an Engagement and Priorities Committee meeting on April 8, 2025. Bylaw amendment wording is being prepared for public review and consideration, and will be presented to a future Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting prior to being presented to Council, currently anticipated later this year. 2.1 Provide safe and reliable drainage infrastructure for farming. This includes advocacy to provincial and federal levels of government. In progress – The City, in partnership with a local farm, is piloting the use of benthic barrier in the drainage network to control parrot's feather (an invasive aquatic plant). 2.2 Develop an agricultural water study to assess the capacity of the City's drainage system to support irrigation water for agricultural activities. In progress – With the support of a $100,000 grant from the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, the City is undertaking a comprehensive study to assess the irrigation needs of the local agriculture sector and identify feasible irrigation sources. 3.1 Promote agri-tourism and marketing. In progress – The City has partnered with Scenic Route 7 tourism collective to help promote agri-tourism activities. 3.2 Explore opportunities for increasing agricultural processing within the community. In progress – The City initiated a Lower Mainland Regional Agricultural Roundtable, with representation from: Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Township of Langley, Mission, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, Richmond and Surrey, to discuss various shared regional issues facing the agricultural sector. Agricultural processing was discussed at the last meeting on April 22, 2025. Further advocacy efforts are expected to come from this group, in coordination with the British Columbia Agriculture Council and the recently formed Premier’s Task Force on agriculture and food economy. 3.3 Support farm operators and labourers in mental health and wellbeing, networking, and succession planning. In progress – The Ridge-Meadows Farmers Institute has recently been re-initiated, which will help farmers to connect with one another, and could support advocacy to various levels of government.
The City hosted a two day virtual workshop by Do More Ag on June 26-27, 2024, designed by farmers for farmers, to boost mental health awareness. More events can be found here.
3.4 Support local food procurement. In progress – The City recently reviewed its Purchasing and Procurement Policy to ensure that local, and then provincial and national, suppliers are prioritized for municipal contracts. 4.1 Engage with producers to create a shared understanding of how farms can become more resilient to climate change. In progress – The City has promoted provincial workshops related to drought response and water licensing. The City is currently developing a Climate Action Strategy which includes a focus area on the local economy and agriculture.
The City amplified the Province of British Columbia’s Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture (EWP) program on social media in February 2024 and will continue to monitor funding opportunities for producers.
4.2 Ensure agriculture is considered in emergency preparedness and planning In progress – The City advertised the British Columbia Agriculture Council’s Agricultural Coordinator training for Emergency Operations Centres and Emergency Awareness sessions to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Further emergency preparedness work is ongoing. 4.3 Explore opportunities to encourage or incentivize the restoration and/or maintenance of ecological services on farmland to mitigate climate change impacts. In progress – The City is engaging in region-wide discussions and planning initiatives about opportunities to maintain and restore ecological services on farmland. In September 2023, the City’s Agricultural Advisory Committee received a presentation from the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, which offers a number of stewardship programs throughout the region. Metro Vancouver is also exploring a program for payment for ecosystem services provided on agricultural lands. 4.4 Control invasive species and noxious plants and pests. In progress – The City has engaged a consultant in March 2025 to develop an Invasive Species Management Plan. This work is currently underway. 5.1 Improve public understanding and knowledge of agriculture and food systems in Pitt Meadows. In progress – The City is undertaking an update of dike trail signage to provide education on the various farming commodities in Pitt Meadows to recreational users. The City updated its Agricultural Viability Strategy in 2023 to provide a modernized direction in developing a sustainable, viable, and resilient local agriculture and agri-food sector.
- The general public as well as those operating within the agriculture sector were invited to complete one of the surveys between May 29 - June 29, 2023 at haveyoursaypittmeadows.ca/agriculture.
- The City hosted the following in-person engagement sessions:
- June 3, 2023 - Booth at Pitt Meadows Day
- June 13, 2023 - Booth at the Pitt Meadows Farmers Market
- June 15, 2023 from 1pm to 3pm - Hopcott Farms
- June 22, 2023 - Open House at the Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre
- July 18, 2023 - Staff and the project consultant presented the Update Report, Background Report, and Engagement Summary Report at the July 18 Council Meeting, watch the Council Meeting video
- October 12, 2023 – The Draft Agricultural Viability Strategy was presented to the Agricultural Advisory Committee
- November 21, 2023 – Draft Agricultural Viability Strategy was presented at the Engagement and Priorities Committee Meeting.
- December 5, 2023 – Final Agricultural Viability Strategy presented to Council for endorsement.