Groundwater is at the top of the agenda for the 91原创 Farmers Institute this spring, but local farmers have also asked the group to raise issues from dangerous dogs to bylaw updates.

With increased awareness of the group鈥檚 goals 鈥� to advocate for the local agricultural community 鈥� farmers have been bringing issues of concern to the Institute, said chair Amanda Smith.

Between the March meet and greet and a number of emails, Smith said the Institute has a road map of four major issues it wants to raise with local and provincial governments in the coming months.

Water made top of the list, she said.

As of March 2022, wells were supposed to be registered, and groundwater use licensed for non-domestic use. That includes irrigation for farms, as well as commercial and industrial use.

But with extremely dry weather over several recent summers, wells are going dry on some 91原创 properties, and it鈥檚 a concern for farmers.

In some cases, locals are seeing their neighbours use water to wash large commercial trucks, then having their own wells dry up.

鈥淲e want every farmer to have enough water,鈥� Smith said.

Another key issue is updating agricultural bylaws.

Smith has already met with Township Mayor Eric Woodward about the issue, and she and other leaders with the Institute plan to appear as a delegation at council before the summer break.

One thing local farmers would like to see is a stronger relationship between the Township and the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, said Smith.

Another issue at the provincial level is how BC Assessment judges which properties can get farm status for property tax purposes. Farmed properties pay a lower rate of taxes, but locals have said it鈥檚 difficult to get approvals from the agency.

About 75 per cent of 91原创 Township is within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), including the vast majority of the land east of 216 Street.

Finally, dangerous dogs remain an issue for livestock farmers. Because it was lambing season when the Farmers Institute asked for input, they heard from a number of sheep farmers who have lost lambs to large dogs roaming in their neighbourhoods.

Smith said that issue led to a good meeting with the 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS). The group hopes to raise awareness among both dog and livestock owners of the importance of keeping animals confined properly.

An upcoming event Smith has planned is an all-candidates meeting for the newly-created 91原创-Abbotsford district, which is mostly rural and includes everything from South 91原创 near Campbell Valley Regional Park, east to Aldergrove, and north to Glen Valley.

The Farmers Institute will be looking to hear from the provincial candidates in advance of the coming election.