Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

A new issue (to me in Huron County) has been brought to my attention. I am quickly being brought up to speed but as we all know, there are always unanswered questions. I thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone out there can toss it back at me.
All I know - vast tract of land being aquired by the Highland Companies. (over 6000 ac). Apparently it is potato land. Someone has decided it is to be mined? Limestone Quarry?
Two articles that I have found dated April 23 (Orangeville paper) and June 23 (marketwire):
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2009/0423/mailbox/026.html
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/North-Dufferin-Agricultural...

(added Sept. 23) Found a main site for the local resident group: http://www.ndact.com/NDACT/

If anyone has any input - toss it out here.
Wayne Black

Views: 48

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I'm learning all about people dropping the ball. Our Minister of Energy, Smitherman, and the OPA had decided that northern York Region needed an additional power supply in "peak" times during the summer and winter. They chose the Holland Marsh, or more specifically, "just outside" of the Holland Marsh. The facility is slated to be built in a flood plain, beside Specialty Crop Area, in the Greenbelt, and on prime agricultural land--go figure. Oh yeah, it will require 18 km of 16" high pressure gas line to feed the plant. The crazy thing is, we are King Township and are on a separate grid, this will not benefit us at all. 170 tonnes of greenhouse gases will be spewed into the air at 900 degrees and will no doubt affect our micro climate (one of three in Ontario). The ironic thing is Smitherman is denying solar farms--where the land can be returned to agriculture in 20 years,--on prime agricultural land, yet insisting the natural gas-fired peaker plant should be on prime agricultural
Rec'd today via email. the Hellman's video was attached which is already posted here in my videos.
Wayne Black

Anyone noticed the rapid rate that Ontario farmland is being eaten up by urban sprawl, road expansion, etc.? Anyone think it’s wrong that Royal Gala apples from Chile were featured front and centre when I entered Sobey’s this week when I can currently pick them fifteen minutes from my house? Ever wonder when the provincial government is going to prioritize the protection of farmland in addition to setting aside ‘green areas’? Do you stop to question how our ever increasing population will be fed as well as we are today by an ever decreasing quantity of local farmers and farmland?

Want to know something you can do?

You can sign an online petition against a proposed 6000 acre quarry (the size of Orangeville pop. 30,000). It is currently threatening Class 1 farmland (highest productivity) within a 1 hr drive of Toronto (north of Shelburne my hometown). Not only is the farmland threatened, but the pit location also threatens underground streams and rivers which form the headwaters of the Nottawasaga and Grand River systems so groundwater supply is at risk. The topsoil required for agricultural use is a limited natural resource. Ontario residents need to speak out so that the things we take for granted still exist for generations to come.

http://www.ndact.com/NDACT/Petition.html

Thanks for your time!

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

USDA announces $2B to strengthen specialty crops sector

U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. Specifically, the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to assist specialty crop growers in maintaining a strong domestic supply and expanding market opportunities for their crops.

Cross-Canada panel to address threats to farmland

The British Columbia Agricultural Council (BCAC) is hosting a high-stakes panel discussion at the BC Young Farmers’ Farm Fest 2024 on November 19 in Abbotsford.  

BC government announces new ag minister

British Columbia’s NDP premier David Eby, who eked out a slim one-seat majority, introduced his new cabinet on November 18. The minister of agriculture and food is Lana Popham. 

Little Leaf Farms introduces Sweet and Crispy blend

Little Leaf Farms, a packaged lettuce brand grown through controlled environment agriculture, has expanded its line of leafy greens with the launch of a new Sweet and Crispy lettuce blend. Featuring two of the brand’s fan-favorite varieties — baby crispy green leaf and sweet baby butter leaf — Sweet and Crispy offers a delightful blend of crispy and buttery textures with a touch of sweetness, the company said in a news release

AGT Food and Ingredients Announces Sale of MobilGrain

AGT Food and Ingredients of Regina has entered into an agreement to sell all its shares in MobilGrain to a Chicago-based global alternative asset management firm. 

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service