© 2008 Lori Waters
The Farmlands Trust Society Newsletter
Issue #1 - Fall/Winter, 2009
Message from the FLT Chair and Co-chair
Welcome to our inaugural Farmlands Trust Newsletter !
On the following pages, you will find that our volunteer group has
expanded its vision to include not only the Mount Newton Valley but
Greater Victoria. Our updated scope still aligns with our original
goal to serve as a model for the preservation of farmland in southern
Vancouver Island.
Ed Johnson
Chair
While we have broadened our vision through our strategic planning
process, we have also refined our organizational goals which include
realistic priorities, goals and performance measures over the next five
years.
Barbara Souther
Co-chair
It is definitely an exciting time to be actively involved in issues regarding
farmland preservation and protection of local food security - as more
community members and governments become aware of the scarcity and
necessity of viable farmland for food production. The Farmlands Trust
Society, with your support, intends on being a vibrant and active voice
in this movement.
We invite you to become part of our expanding group of dedicated
volunteers by putting your name forward as a volunteer, supporter and/
or donor -
as together, we can make a difference!
Planning For The Future:
FLT’s Strategic Plan (2009-2014)
The Farmlands Trust Society (FLT) was founded as a not-for-profit
society under the
Society Act
on March 18, 2008 to facilitate the
preservation of local farmland and the enhancement of food security
to benefit current and future generations. The Society supports a
holistic approach to sustainable farming based on ecological, economic,
historical and socio-cultural values.
A copy of our FLT Strategic Plan (2009 – 2014)
is available at:
www.farmlandstrust
.ca
This summer, the FLT members engaged in a strategic planning process,
facilitated by Dr. Bill Bourgeois, New Direction Resource Management
Ltd., and began expanding the geographic and social scope of the
organization to cover all the peoples and lands of Greater Victoria.
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The FLT Vision
The Farmlands Trust Society is a leading
community-based organization for facilitating
the preservation of Greater Victoria farmland
and the enhancement of food security to benefit
current and future generations based on ecological,
economic, historical and socio-cultural values.
© 2008 Lori Waters
Priority #1. Farmland Preservation
Goal: Preserve Greater Victoria
farmland for future generations
Priority #2. Farmland Management
Goal: Establish mechanisms to promote
the sustainable management of farms
that contribute to the regional economy
Priority #3. Community Relations
and Outreach
Goal: Integrate First Nation’s interests
and knowledge about food security in
the current and future management of
Greater Victoria farmland
Goal: Increase awareness and interest
in Greater Victoria agriculture/food
Priority #4. Governance
and Financial Oversight
Goal: Maintain a highly professional
and fiscally responsible organization
that ensures long-term viability of the
FLT
FLT Activities
The FLT continues its work on enhancing the local farming capacity in
Greater Victoria. Key activities include:
•
Protecting local farmland;
•
Protecting eco-sensitive and culturally special areas;
•
Producing food for local consumption;
•
Promoting the economic viability of farmland; and
•
Providing public community access and public education
programs.
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Woodwynn Farm
Thank you to our many donors who contributed to the FLT’s efforts to
purchase Woodwynn Farm in 2008 and 2009. Although our bid was
not successful, we are continuing our efforts to work with
The Land
Conservancy (TLC)
to encourage the new Woodwynn Farm owners to
place a covenant on the property to protect the land in perpetuity for
farming. Also, in accordance with the wishes of donors, contributions
received by the FLT for Woodwynn Farm were returned to donors,
transferred to TLC or retained by the FLT for future farmland
acquisitions.
To date, the FLT and an anonymous FLT donor
pledged $300,000.00 to Madrona Farm in the
Blenkinsop Valley as an example of its commitment to
local farmland preservation (in perpetuity) for Greater
Victoria citizens which TLC has agreed to purchase.
Approximately $836,000.00 is required on or before
January 14, 2010 to protect the Madrona Farm forever.
View video here:
Madrona Farm
To donate, please visit:
For more information about Madrona Farm, visit:
Newman Farm Park
In September 2009, the Central Saanich Mayor
and Council agreed to support the Administrator’s
recommendation that, in principle, the District will
consider a Partnership Arrangement with the FLT
regarding the preservation and sustainable management
of Newman Farm Park. Newman Farm Park is a 17 acre
working farm owned by the Municipality of Central
Saanich, by and for residents of Greater Victoria.
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FLT Strategic Communications
The FLT designed and began implementing strategic communication activities which
established a set of common communication tools (i.e., a revised website and this
inaugural newsletter) that will be used to actively engage and communicate with: the
Greater Victoria farming community; citizens at large; First Nations; Government
(municipal, provincial, federal); charitable organizations; non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) specializing in stewardship, heritage, agriculture and nature
conservancy; and academia.
FLT Board of Directors
The FLT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of Greater Victoria community members who have
a diverse array of experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that enrich the planning and implementing of farmland
preservation and local food security activities. At present, the FLT has nine Board Members and approximately 1,000
supporters.
Current 2009/2010 FLT Board of Directors
Ed Johnson (Chair)
Barbara Souther (Co-Chair)
Natasha Caverley (Secretary)
Glenn Davidson (Treasurer)
David Clark (Board Member)
Alicia Cormier (Board Member)
Remi Paul (Board Member)
Heather Stretch (Board Member)
Anne Waterhouse (Board Member)
In early 2010, the FLT Board of Directors will be working to establish volunteer committees that can assist the Board
in collectively advancing the FLT vision, values, mission and goals. For more information about each board member,
please visit:
www.farmlandstrust.ca/board.html
. Board meetings are held monthly at the St. Stephen’s Community
Church Hall Boardroom.
We would also like to extend a big thank you to the following past FLT Board Members and staff who dedicated many
hours in advancing the protection of local farmland and enhancing food security:
Jolene Clark (Past Staff Member)
•
Ashley Hamilton-MacQuarrie (Past Staff Member)
•
Jenny Hyndman (Past Board Secretary)
•
Hal Irwin (Past Treasurer)
•
Michael Mazurek (Past Board Member)
•
Dianne McGuire (Past Board Member)
•
Michael M’Gonigle (Past Co-Chair)
•
Gerri Schelini (Past Board Secretary)
Many people attended past meetings
in Barbara Souther’s living room.
•
Glenys Verhulst (Past Staff Member)
Michael Mazurek (1949 – 2009)
The FLT is passing on the sad news that Michael Mazurek died suddenly in North Saanich, BC in
late October 2009. He had just celebrated his 60th birthday and was looking forward to making a
move up Island. Michael served on the Board of The Farmlands Trust Society throughout most of
2008 and some of 2009. He was a great help at Woodwynn Farm in the summer of 2008 where he
coordinated the moving of irrigation pipe and cheerfully moved many, many 15-foot sections of
pipe himself. Michael will be remembered for his caring nature, his soft-spoken competence, his
peaceful presence and his love of working the land.
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•
Lending Your Support to the Farmlands Trust Society
The FLT considers the highest and best uses for Greater Victoria land and society while improving the community
in a charitable fashion. With pressing global concerns such as climate change, the FLT’s mandate and associated
activities benefit the public as a whole to think, plan and act locally to protect biodiversity and agricultural
capabilities. The engagement of First Nations as part of the FLT’s purpose reflects the need to integrate both western
and indigenous ways in protecting local food security.
Foods that are produced by FLT volunteers and strategic partners are intended to respect the humane treatment of
animals, biodiversity of the soil and produce organic food that ultimately, promotes good health for Greater Victoria
citizens. On a project by project basis, a percentage of foods grown through FLT activities will be freely distributed to
local First Nations and socially disadvantaged community members (i.e., food banks).
Make your choice today to join our team !
Volunteer Now !
Donate Now !
Keep In Touch !
Thank you for joining our FLT network!
The Farmlands Trust Society
P.O. Box 9, Saanichton, British Columbia, V8M-2C3
Tel: 250.483.1468 or 250.652.2906
© 2008 Lori Waters
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