Protect farmland: Public meeting

Next weekend, you can meet the company that now owns the land once slated for the Highland mega-quarry.

The North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Task Force is hosting a Public Meeting on Saturday, April 5 to give people the chance to ask questions of Tom Eisenhauer, President of Bonnefield Financial.

Bonnefield purchased the land Highland Companies bought to develop a mega-quarry in the area. It plans to rent the farmland to farmers.

“By all indication, [Bonnefield] is who they say they are and we don’t have reason to suspect otherwise,” said Shirley Boxem, the vice-chair of NDACT.

At the meeting, speakers will address ways to protect and preserve Ontario’s farmland. Steve Peters from the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors will discuss the importance of Ontario produce and Professor René Van Acker of the University of Guelph will talk about protecting soils.

Highland withdrew its application for the mega-quarry in November 2012, but since then, there hasn’t been much word about what is going on with the land, Boxem said. “This meeting is a chance to re-engage supporters and the community.”

Food and Water First Public Meeting
Saturday, April 5
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex,
Shelburne
www.ndact.com or www.foodandwaterfirst.com