Dear Editor,
Richmond city council and the sustainable agriculture folks of Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) have got things right again. That was clear when the parks, recreation and cultural services committee met on June 25 in the Anderson Room at City Hall.
It harkened back to the city council's planning committee meeting of Feb. 5, 2008 in the same room. Back then, KPU’s Kent Mullinix and student Shane McMillan presented the KPU concept of a centre for sustainable agriculture on Richmond farmland.
But Richmond didn’t yet own the Garden City Lands. And they were the preferred site, near KPU classrooms. And Ken wasn’t sure of KPU's buy-in.
Still, the councillors happily helped Kent fill out the concept. With Coun. Harold Steves deftly chairing, they supported it, whether or not they wanted the Lands to stay in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
In 2008, that ALR status was a big issue, but they put it aside. In the packed meeting room, we sensed the concept of a sustainable agriculture centre grow in power and promise.
A note if you’re lost when you hear “Garden City Lands”: It’s the Richmond parkland east of Garden City Road between Westminster Highway and Alderbridge Way. Its ALR uses are agriculture, conservation and open-land recreation such as walking and cycling.
In any case, 16-plus years later, the parks committee met in the same setting, and the centre for sustainable agriculture was on the agenda again. But now the centre is a reality. It’s the vibrant KPU Farm. And anyone could watch the meeting from home, as I did.
KPU’s Mike Bomford had shared the "2023 Activity Report of KPU Farm @ Garden City Lands" with council. The colourful booklet brimmed with progress through teamwork, both within the sustainable agriculture program and with Richmond city staff, schools and community.
The related parks meeting is on YouTube, from the 33-minute mark until one hour and four minutes into the meeting. Coun. Chak Au deftly chaired it.
Coun. Bill McNulty asked Mike what the city could do “in a major role” to promote the KPU program. If Richmond trumpets it, enrolment may soar.
After one of Mike’s clear answers, Coun. Andy Hobbes said, “That’s a great explanation!”
Jokingly, Coun. Laura Gillanders asked Mike about letting her buttercups thrive around her blueberry bushes as living mulch. He suggested purslane for that. Laura had it and will use it.
Coun. Michael Wolfe practically grew up on the lands, and he knows them well. He told Mike, “You’ve completed some of the puzzle that I’ve always wondered about.”
After lots of dialogue, Mike said, “Thank you for all your support. We really do appreciate it.”
In the 2024 reality of the “KPU Farm @ Garden City Lands,” the concept keeps growing in power and promise.
Jim Wright, past president of the Garden City Conservation Society
Richmond
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