What are we saving?

Editorial Morning Star Dec. 28, 2010: 
My family earned a living off agriculture for decades. As soon as I was old enough to manage a full picking bag and a ladder, I was sent off into the orchard.  I am drawn to the land and have an affinity for farmers. I understand the need to safeguard our limited base of agricultural land from the ever increasing pressures of an urban society.  However, just drawing lines on a map in an attempt to preserve property for future generations is too simplistic of an approach to take.  Case in point is the land next to Okanagan College that’s been targeted for a sports complex with an Olympic-sized track and football field. The District of Coldstream — the jurisdiction in which the 10 acres sits — is seeking non-farm status from the the Agricultural Land Commission to allow for the facility. But the district wants a covenant placed on five acres so it can be set aside as greenspace and possibly be used for agriculture in future. “It (ALC) is legislation that was brought in to protect land for future generations,” said Paul Christie, a member of the agricultural advisory committee who lobbied council to not seek non-farm status for the entire parcel.  Referring to the failed plans for a sports complex on Aberdeen Road in 2007, Christie said, “We saw the passion of people in our community, saying we want to protect our land.”

And I completely agree. In fact, I breathed a sigh of relief when that facility was scuttled by voters. The Aberdeen Road site is a jewel, producing at least four crops of alfalfa every season. There isn’t much better farming than it.  But the same can’t be said for the land squeezed between Okanagan College and the highway.  In the two decades I’ve lived here, I have seen nothing take root there except for weeds. I have inquired with some longtime residents and they suggest that it’s possibly been the 1960s since any agriculture occurred there.  If that’s the case, why hasn’t the land been used? Is the soil classification accurate or did the ALC make a mistake like it has on other occasions? Has economics — and particularly the limited returns associated with agriculture — played a role?  The reality is that nothing worth eating has been grown there for years, and given the financial investment required to set up a farm, that won’t change. Just what are we trying to save?  In the meantime, the five acres Coldstream council doesn’t want touched could provide significant opportunities for the community in the future, whether it’s additional recreational facilities or expanded programs at the college, including possibly a focus on agricultural studies.  By selectively using properties such as this for public needs, those parcels of land with high agricultural values can be maintained.

In the end, I suspect that Coldstream’s actions have more to do with politics than actual concern about preserving farm land. The fear is that the ALC will be reluctant to allow any non-farm uses at all, so by offering to leave five acres as is, Coldstream believes it may stand a chance at getting five acres for sports activities.  “You might be able to convince the commission that you do support agriculture,” said Christie, who urged council for a compromise.  It’s unfortunate that games have to be played to elicit the support of the provincial bureaucracy, but if that’s what it takes for the sports facility to move ahead, go for it. Our youth shouldn’t have to travel to Kelowna because Greater Vernon doesn’t have a regulation-size track. Tourism will also get a boost through tournaments.But, ultimately, a large chunk of that land will continue to grow nothing but weeds and the community will lose out.