A vision for the UBC Farm

by Mark Pickersgill

On Saturday November 29, 2008, the University of British Columbia’s First Nation Longhouse was a hive of excitement with more than 100 organizers, volunteers, speakers, artists, professionals, public officials, students, UBC administration and staff, farmers and community participants gathered for a revelatory day-long design workshop focused on the future of the UBC Farm. The thrust behind such a momentous gathering of minds, talents, and interests was simple: to discuss and imagine a vision for the farm. The political and geographical history of the UBC Farm has been a long and tumultuous affair. In recent years UBC has made significant development forays into some of its endowment lands, both as a means to expand the university campus and facilities, but also to build and develop housing. As a result, the farm has come under increasing threat. The 24 ha parcel upon which the UBC Farm operates is designated as “Future Housing Reserve” in the current UBC Official Community Plan, a bylaw of the Greater Vancouver Regional District that was created in 1997. In simple terms, the land upon which the current incarnation of the farm is situated is extremely valuable for developing other non-farm related activities. This designation has led to rampant speculation over the years about the need to reconfigure, move, and restructure the UBC Farm, particularly as the South Campus community has started to take shape.

The UBC Farm is presently home to a wide array of programs and activities ranging from traditional agricultural science field laboratory exercises and plot research to system-level explorations (integrating ecological, social, and economic considerations) and community events and markets. The farm is home to an astonishing array of projects, and a second home to a small army of students, faculty, and community members who work and utilize the farm regularly. A thriving ecosytem, and a vital educational centre, the farm is a beacon of light in a time when concerns over climate change, peak oil, and economic turmoil seem to be gathering more traction by the day. If anything, the farm sits as a proud and compelling reminder of the importance of locally based food systems and agricultural innovation.

It was with primarily these interests and concerns in mind, that many sacrificed a beautiful, sunny fall day to be indoors participating in a grand visionary process. I participated in the event as a facilitator and note taker. Like a great many of those in attendance, I was there because I recognized the stakes and see a tremendous value to the farm as it currently exists. However the design workshop was not intended to be an advocacy event or in any way a forum to express discontent with the current processes concerning the UBC Farm. The event was more concerned with the expression of positive and meaningful of ideas. Participants were asked to think big and to bring anything they were able to contribute to the table.

Respected and revered organic farmer, author, photographer, and philosopher Michael Ableman [photographed left, by Lisa Moffat] was the first to speak on the importance of farm education and the success of local food systems. A seasoned and charismatic speaker, Mr. Ableman managed to get the room abuzz, stressing the idea that those communities and organizations that make farming a core part of their operations and existence, will ultimately be the ones to thrive. Seen as part of a world in transition, he underscored the need for a move beyond the notion of land as commodity, and to view it foremost as a supportive pillar of life and well being.

Michael Ableman’s speech was followed with a virtual tour of the farm by UBC Farm Program Coordinator, Mark Bomford. Mark was greeted with rapturous applause (and a standing ovation!) and it was doubtless his efforts over the past few years, leading the UBC Farm through some difficult, albiet very successful, years, were well appreciated by those in attendance. His modest demeanor, and obvious enthusiasm shone through as he led the audience in an enlightening survey of the features of the farm, and some of the prevailing challenges.

Stanley King and his Co-design Group then led the room through a participatory design exercise intended to get the creativity flowing. With what can simply be described as a “day in the life” of the UBC Farm, Mr. King asked us all to participate. The crowd was asked to suggest the types of activities expected and desired on the UBC Farm throughout each hour of the day, starting at 6 am right through the day (and night). Each of the ideas was documented and placed on a giant timeline located at the front of the room. The ideas and activities suggested ranged from the pragmatic to the fantastical. It was entertaining, but I for one also found it enriching just to get a sense of the breadth of interests and ideas in the room. The audience was not asked to hold back. And for the most part, almost any conceivable or plausible activity found its way on the board. The exercise was a decisive, if not overwhelming success. I asked Mark Bomford if the activities being mentioned were in any way reflective of the actual activities on the farm. He was clear to say that as silly as some of the suggestions sounded, as a whole, they represented a very accurate, if not condensed, account of what already happens on the farm.

It was after the “day in the life” exercise where the real work began. Initial interviews with farm stakeholders had revealed a number of major themes. The themes included:

1) Teaching, Research, and Learning;
2) Habitat / Biodiversity;
3) Community Connections;
4) Green Infrastructure;
5) Food Precinct: From Field to Work

The participants were asked to select a theme that they were most interested in and were subsequently slotted to partake in smaller break out-sessions. A total of 10 groups formed themselves in a surprisingly amicable fashion. Groups typically consisted of 8-12 people. The participants worked with artists and facilitators to brainstorm ideas for the farm based on their respective theme. Renderings, drawings, maps and absolutely wonderful visual pieces were produced that ran the gamut from half completed sketches to fully imagined scenes. Every idea and thought was treated as a valuable piece of information. After a rather intense period of two hours, each of the groups were then asked to prepare their work for display.

The number of displays set up in the foyer and hallway of the First Nations Longhouse was a site to behold. I did count the number of different pieces, but if I had to guess I would assume that somewhere between 30-40 unique drawings stretched almost the entire length of the building. The intent was to share what each other had done. Everything from grand markets and entryways (into the farm) to green technologies and innovative educational programs made an appearance. Not all of the ideas worked, but that was the point. Each display contained a descriptive list of features of which the participants were asked to evaluate.

All of the ideas, drawings, pictures, maps, and words generated over the course of the day are presently being recorded and synthesized into a workshop summary document. This document will be sent out to participants and made available to the public. Furthermore, once complete, the vision document is to be presented to the UBC Board of Governors and campus administration.

As a public process, the design workshop was an unmitigated success. The turn-out was overwhelming, and while there were some difficult and trying discussions throughout the day, it nonetheless resulted in a colourful and diverse palate of ideas on which to build.

And the success of the event apparently did not go unnoticed.

After a number of undisclosed meetings, a press release was issued on December 1st, 2008 (a mere two days later) more or less stating that the UBC Board of Governors has conceded to protect the full 24 hectares of the UBC Farm. In effect the University of British Columbia Board of Governors has directed UBC administration to develop academic plans for a 24 ha parcel of South Campus land for teaching and research purposes that are “academically rigorous and globally significant” around issues of sustainability. The Board stipulated that no market housing will be pursued on the 24 ha parcel, which contains the UBC Farm, as long as the university’s housing, community development and endowment goals can be met through transferring density to other parts of campus. The Board also committed to the continuation of current land uses until academic plans are completed and a decision has been reached on density transfer. While this promise is far from clear as to what this means specifically for the UBC Farm (or the rest of campus for that matter), it appears that this decision was a direct result of tireless efforts by students, faculty, and community members.

While there is still some level of uncertainty surrounding what exactly could happen with the UBC Farm, it is now at least abundantly clear that there is a strong level of support and at least an official acknoledgement of this important piece of land. And the results and outcome of this day-long workshop will only help strengthen the position of the UBC Farm as it leads the way into what will hopefully be a more sustainable future.

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Mark Pickersgill is a Vancouver-based city planner and writer. He is music obsessive and an appreciator of fine cheese.