Agriculture
Agricultural production in the Klondike area is well supported by residents, tourists, and local businesses and there is room for more local agricultural product in our local and regional market….
Backyard farming, side-gigs, and part-time production are contributing significantly to overall food production in the area.
A sustainable local agriculture sector contributes to food security and Community Resilience. It provides healthy food, fosters good land–people relationships, stewards land, and provides skills training and employment. The Region contains some of the most productive agricultural land in the Yukon; high agricultural potential has been identified in the Klondike Valley and Sunnydale. In addition to arable land for crops, other agricultural uses of land in the Region include infrastructure (for example, processing and retail spaces) and raising livestock. As of 2018, there were approximately 40 titled lots derived from agricultural land programs, as well as several Settlement Land parcels that Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in has identified as suitable for agriculture.
The agriculture sector in the Region is small but diverse, with operations producing a wide variety of products, including vegetables, meat, hay, eggs, dairy, fruit, and plants. Most producers have other sources of income besides farming, and many provide seasonal employment and/or training. As of 2024, two-thirds of surveyed producers sell their products within the Region.
The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm provides value to the community through food production, land-based training, and employment opportunities. The agricultural sector also includes and relies on local processors, restaurants, and retailers who work with producers to get products to market. Resource camps are a significant consumer of local produce. Local food production has the potential to contribute to tourism as well, through agritourism and food tourism. Many local producers and processors are members of the Central Yukon Agricultural Network (CYAN, previously the Klondike Farmers’ Forum). CYAN supports and advocates on behalf of producers throughout central Yukon.
Continued responsible and sustainable growth of the Region’s agricultural industry is important for food security and Community Resilience in the face of climate change and a growing demand for local food. Directions for all values and economic activities should be read alongside the Stewardship Directions for Agriculture, because of the interconnections between values and activities.
Key Planning Issues
- Land close to the community that is suitable for agricultural use is limited and overlaps with other interests.
- Suitable agricultural land across the Region is often found in valley bottoms where placer mining interests also occur.
- Food security is a key component of Community Resilience, especially in the face of climate change.
- Existing operations and future sector development depend on water availability. Climate change and other land uses may change that availability.
- Livestock has the potential to carry diseases that can affect wildlife.
- Insufficient infrastructure (physical and governance) is a barrier to agricultural sector growth.
Stewardship Directions
- In areas of high agricultural potential, carry out other development and activities in a manner that does not compromise agricultural value.
- Conduct agricultural operations in a manner consistent with stewardship and sustainable development principles.
- Maintain ecological integrity in areas adjacent to agricultural development.
- When carrying out activities and development in areas with existing agriculture, respect those operations.
- When proposing, assessing, and approving new agricultural developments, consider existing and projected water availability, flood risk, and other land interests and values.
- Support agricultural practices that sequester carbon.
Implementation Actions
- Support the growth and health of the Region’s agricultural sector by engaging with and supporting industry groups, including the Central Yukon Agricultural Network.
- Incentivize local food production to increase climate resilience and food security.
- Support the ongoing operations of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm
Governance Recommendations
- Support implementation of the Yukon Agriculture Policy.
- Prioritize land that is suitable for agriculture and close to the City of Dawson for agricultural use.
Knowledge Gaps
- Identify areas of “high” (class 3 to 5) agricultural potential within the Region, with priority given to LMU 12: Tr’ondëk Täk’it (Klondike Valley).
- Identify barriers to growth within the agricultural sector and potential solutions. Work on this in collaboration with CYAN and other local actors (processors, retailers, and restaurant owners).
- Explore agricultural techniques that reduce carbon emissions.