Maple Ridge council wants to funnel some tax dollars into supporting agriculture.

The funding will come when rural land is converted to non-residential use.

Council voted at last week's meeting to put 10 per cent of the increase in municipal taxes aside to support agricultural initiatives.

While Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie

Daykin said he doesn't see it generating hundreds of thousands of dollars, he sees it as an innovative way to encourage farming in Maple Ridge.

"We're going into uncharted territory... similar to our incentive program in the downtown," Daykin said.

District staff recommended funds be allocated according to set percentages - 25 per cent of the money for studies, 25 per cent for agricultural marketing, and 50 per cent for infrastructure upgrades - but council decided to give "more latitude" on how to use the money, Daykin said.

The three goals remain the same but the percentages might vary depending on what the council of the day decides.

Daykin is happy with the idea of promoting local agriculture, noting that currently there isn't any way for the municipality support farming.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com