The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC), in pursuit of implementing the Agricultural Plan, supports a range of community initiatives in Maple Ridge.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 Food Garden Contest!
With almost 30 entries, grown by seasoned food gardeners to those trying it for the first time, this year's participants produced some beautiful and tasty gardens.
2024 Food Garden Contest Winners
Judging Criteria
- Quality and range of food grown
- Health of the plants
- Gardening practices
- Garden design and artistic expression
Previous Contest Winners
Previous Food Garden Contest Winners
For more information on the Food Garden Contest, please contact Elona Saro, Agricultural Advisory Committee Staff Liaison, at ESaro@MapleRidge.ca
Need help deciding what to grow?
Theme it: Theme your garden around your favourite food! Grow the ingredients for a summer salad, a zesty salsa, or your favourite pizza toppings.
Plant-a-Row, Grow-a-Row, Donate-a-Row: The Agricultural Advisory Committee is proud to support the "Plant-a-Row, Grow-a-Row, Donate-a-Row" initiative, which supports local food security and further helps to provide healthy and nutritious food options for our local foodbank. Please see attached link for details. *Note: There is no need to sign up for this initiative through the Foodbank. They accept donations (washed with dirt removed) each week Monday to Friday before noon.
For more information please contact Adam Rieu, Agricultural Advisory Committee Staff Liaison arieu@mapleridge.ca
Past Events
Talking About Backyard Hens
Throughout 2018, the City of Maple Ridge's Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) has been looking at options to accommodate backyard hens in residential areas in Maple Ridge. Over the summer of 2018, City staff and members of the AAC attended community events to talk about backyard hens in Maple Ridge.
At the December 11, 2018 Council Workshop meeting, City staff presented a summary of the consultation activities and feedback. Read a copy of the staff report. The meeting was recorded and is available for online viewing. At the December meeting, Council directed staff, in consultation with the AAC, to prepare an Options Report that would explore possible regulatory measures that could permit the keeping of backyard hens in Maple Ridge.
As a follow-up, on June 4, 2019, staff presented a report outlining possible regulatory directions for Council consideration. A copy of the staff report prepared for the June 4, 2019 Council Workshop is available here (Item 4.4). At that meeting, Council tabled the presentation and discussion to a future Council Workshop.
City staff presented the Options Report at the June 18 Council Workshop meeting. Council discussed the keeping of backyard hens in residential areas of Maple Ridge and determined that, given the immediate priorities of Council and limited staff resources, that no further work on backyard hens would take place at this time. Council will re-consider this project during a future business planning process. Read a copy of the staff report. (Item 4.3) and the meeting was live streamed and available online here.
Updates will be provided online as well as via email. If you wish to be included on the City of Maple Ridge Agriculture Update email list, please send an email to agriculture@mapleridge.ca.
Check back regularly for information about the conversation on backyard hens in Maple Ridge.
Grant Program
The Maple Ridge AAC has a grant program that provides small disbursements to worthy organizations involved in promoting agriculture who may not qualify for other grant opportunities.
Interested in being considered for a grant? Fill out an application form.