The Agricultural Study
QUESTIONS
What is the Agricultural Study?
Why is the Agricultural Study important?
What steps are involved in the Agricultural Study?
Who is completing the Agricultural Study?
ANSWERS
What is the Agricultural Study?
A: The Agricultural Study is part of the background information that is needed to prepare the updated city of Kingston Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw. It will provide information on agriculture such as the location of farms and farm support services, and trends and issues affecting the industry. It will also help to determine whether the existing agricultural policies in the Official Plans for the former Townships of Pittsburgh and Kingston address future land use needs and recent changes in Provincial legislation such as the Nutrient Management Act and the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement.
Why is the Agricultural Study important?
A: Agriculture continues to play a strong role in the economic, social and environmental well-being of the community. According to the 2001 Census:
- There are 203 active farms covering nearly 18,000 hectares of land within the city of Kingston.
- The industry generates over $15 million in gross farm receipts annually and the total farm capital in the city is nearly $96 million.
- Agricultural-based businesses employ 725 people in the City, ranging from small-scale, farm-related industries to larger commercial activities such as farm implement sales and grain drying businesses.
The Agricultural Study will be the first look at the farming industry since the city amalgamated with the Townships of Kingston and Pittsburgh in 1998. With amalgamation, the city's land base is now 453 square kilometres, of which 353 square kilometres is in the rural area. Each of the former townships and the city has an Official Plan that is still in place. The Official Plans contain policies that guide City Council in its decisions about how the city's land base should be used. Agricultural land use policies are found mainly in the Official Plans of the former Townships of Kingston and Pittsburgh. Many agricultural support services are also allowed in the urban areas of the former city. Presently, these policies are unique to each of the former townships and the city, and need to be integrated to ensure they can guide future agricultural development in the city as a whole.
What steps are involved in the Agricultural Study?
A: It is expected that the Agricultural Study will be completed in 2006 and will involve the following series of integrated steps:
Background Research: Research on agricultural characteristics, trends and issues in the city will focus on the following:
- Farm size, demographic and specialization trends over time.
- Food and non-food production characteristics ranging from livestock operations to grains, fruits, greenhouses and equestrian centres.
- Soil type, nutrient management and environmental characteristics and considerations.
- The direct and indirect benefits of the agricultural industry in Kingston.
- Potential land use impacts on agriculture such as rural non-farm developments.
- The agricultural land use policies in the existing Official Plans for the former Townships of Pittsburgh and Kingston and the former city.
- Recent changes in Provincial legislation such as the Nutrient Management Act and the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement.
Agricultural Study Report: A background report will be prepared that will also include proposed Official Plan amendments for further reference as part of the updated city of Kingston Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
Public Consultation: In order to plan properly for the future, it will be crucial throughout the study process that the public is engaged in a discussion of agricultural land use issues and options. A number of opportunities to consult with the public are being planned and will run until the Agricultural Study has been completed. From web page updates, to workshops, stakeholder meetings and open houses, the city of Kingston wants your feedback about how agricultural development in the city should be guided in the future.
Who is completing the Agricultural Study?
A: Clark Consulting Services will complete the Agricultural Study with the direct involvement of the city's planning and development department, other city staff and external agencies, including the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.
