Supporting small farms by simplifying OFDU

Editor:

Last week’s Harvest Edition of The Creemore Echo described some of the many challenges of farming. Some challenges are difficult to influence – the weather, commodities markets, urban sprawl to name but a few. This makes it so important to make life easier for farmers when we can. We have such an opportunity right now with the Zoning Bylaw review process.

Data from 2016 shows that approximately 32 per cent of Clearview farms are 69 acres or less. Farms of that size can no longer support a family through crop production alone. And although Clearview Township is a prime agricultural area, approximately 30 per cent of the farmland is classified as having limited agricultural capability. This explains why farmers with small farms need different options to generate income – also known as on-farm diversified uses (OFDU).

Here’s the problem. The proposed new zoning bylaws do not distinguish between permissions for OFDUs and permissions for subdivisions. There is no way to distinguish between small scale proposals utilizing land of limited agricultural capability and large projects on prime agricultural land. The current process requires the use of many professionals including landscape architects, planners, multiple engineers, traffic consultants that is financially prohibitive. In fact, the current process supports the consulting industry at the expense of farming families.

Here’s the solution. Treat small scale OFDU differently. This could be accomplished by doing site visits early in the process where many issues can be clarified without a consultant. Alternative sources of information are available – again, without a consultant. Create a different stream for considering small scale OFDU where the benefits to the farmer and the larger community are valued. This would allow a different mind set and better outcomes for farmers.

Small farms need to be able to diversify without prohibitive costs. I know how expensive this process can be. I am hoping to offer workshops on my farm for a maximum of 24 people a week. When all is said and done, the permissions alone will cost around $50,000, down from over $100,000 when I began. Clearview Township needs better tools so that their well-trained staff can use their professional discretion to make decisions that farmers can afford. Without this assurance of reasonableness, farmers will likely choose to operate OFDU without engaging with the township.

Finally, here’s what you can do to support farmers. Leave a comment on the Zoning Bylaw Review by going to www.clearview.ca/node/13813. Ask for a simplified, reasonable process for OFDU. You can also attend the working session on Oct. 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the township office, 217 Gideon St., Stayner (see story on page 8). Let’s not miss this opportunity to make life a little easier for farmers.

Monica Branigan,

Creemore.