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Agricultural issues need action in order for local growers to survive Agricultural issues need action in order for local growers to survive Originally appeared on "bclocalnews.com" March 09, 2010 “Policy Changes Needed for Agriculture Lands”. The issues that Richard Rolke wrote about are all important, and worth reiterating. The ALR may hinder landowners from developing their farmland, but it ensures that the next generation will still have access to tracts of land that are large enough to farm. The ALR only protects roughly five per cent of B.C.’s land, much of it in northern B.C. Take a drive through many of the communities of the Fraser Valley and one can see first-hand, the dangers of developing farmland. What were once small farming communities 20 years ago, are now plagued with congestion and ‘box stores’. What was farmland is now condominiums, housing for people who work hours from where they live. Close to 40 per cent of B.C.’s farmers are over 55 years old. We can assume that many are looking to get as much for their land as possible to carry them through their retirement. Too often, after a lifetime of working the land, a farmer’s retirement is directly related to the value of their land. One of the most significant problems facing young farmers is the price of land. It is quickly becoming impossible for a person to purchase land at a cost that makes it profitable to farm. Under special circumstances, cash handouts have their place to carry a farmer through a bad year. But educating the community to support and respect our local food producers would go farther to creating a long term solution. Consumers are beginning to understand that the cheapest food is not always the best value. In North America we pay among the lowest prices for food in the world. There is no doubt that scientists, corporations and farmers, working together, created greater quantities of food for lower prices during the 1950’s Green Revolution. It is as equally obvious that in many cases this came at the expense of quality and nutrition. Why buy food that is trucked, flown, and floated thousands of kilometers from where it was grown, when it is also grown on our back doorstep? Shopping at farmers markets, fruit stands, community box programs and the few stores that sell locally grown food is an easy way to find quality food, and support local farmers. Obviously we will always be importing items like bananas, but there is no reason we should be importing something as locally available as tomatoes or apples while our local farmers/orchardists struggle to survive. Spending a few cents more to buy local fruits and vegetables is money well spent. It is healthy for the community and consumer alike. It’s true that in times of extreme circumstance, the government needs to step forward and lend a hand. But unless changes are made by both governments and consumers alike, most of our food will have to be imported because there will be few people that are both able and willing to grow it. Thanks again for shining a light on these issues.
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