RDI Concludes Regional Food Systems Research

The purpose of the 18-month Regional Food Systems research project was to identify opportunities to enhance regional food production in ways that promote economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. Funded by the BC Real Estate Foundation (in addition to the RDI’s core funding from the Columbia Basin Trust), the project adopted a multi-method approach to better understand our regional food system. First, regional agricultural planning themes were identified following an analysis of the agricultural plans developed by the Kootenay Boundary, Central Kootenay, and East Kootenay Regional Districts. The results are presented in the Knowledge Brief: Agriculture Planning and in a short video.

Another line of inquiry evaluated the extend of land in the region with the potential for agricultural expansion. Two methodologies were employed for this analysis - one based on property information and one based on remotely sensed data (conducted in partnership with the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre). The results are presented in the Research Brief: Identifying and Valuing Underutilized Agricultural Land. Related layers are also available on the Digital Basin.

Climatic factors influencing the agricultural potential of the region was also explored. Drawing on a capability classification system developed by the BC government in the 1980s, the Research Brief: Agricultural Climate: Conditions and Trends report provides an updated analysis of conditions and trends related to key agricultural climate variables such as climatic moisture deficit, growing degree days and frost free period. Related layers are also available on the Digital Basin.

It was recognized early on in the project that there were many groups in the region interested in our food system and a number of research studies had already been conducted and plans produced. In an effort to ensure we build on rather than duplicate work and to encourage others to do the same, an Inventory of Regional Resources for Food System Planning and Action was compiled. This inventory serves as an introduction to the state of efforts in the regional food movement, and helps readers understand the key players involved. Readers are also encouraged to explore related resources on the RDI’s Regional Research Repository.

Drawing from research undertaken by Brandon University’s Rural Development Institute, the RDI explored innovation among Basin-Boundary food producers and the organizations they interact with along the supply chain. The Research Brief: Innovation in the Basin-Boundary Beef Supply Chain summarizes factors that influence this sector’s ability to innovate, as well as the impact innovation has on the success of beef businesses.

In an effort to help position food actors in the region with next steps, we undertook a review of several innovative solutions which have potential to help address identified challenges to expanding food production in the region. The Knowledge Brief: Innovative Solutions to Basin-Boundary Food System Challenges highlights models that have already been implemented on a smaller scale within the region that could be duplicated or expanded, as well as examples from outside the region. Innovative solutions are broken into three categories: supply, processing, and ownership and land access.

At the request of the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments, the RDI organized a panel session at the annual conference in April 2016. Dr. MacDonald presented Advancing the Basin-Boundary Food System, Abra Brynne presented Food Policy Councils: Linking Spuds and Government, Paris Marshall presented Creston’s Fields Forward Initiative.