I am representing a 5…

I am representing a 5 generation family farm in Norfolk County. Myself and my entire family support lot severances and feel that it is up to the land owner to decide whether or not they make use of the lots that they choose to sever off of their farm. I agree that there should be every attempt to not use highly productive farm land in place of a severance but feel that it should be something that the county work with the owners of the land to find the best suitable placement of lots. I do not believe that farmers are asking for multiple severances rather 1 lot per 50 acres. We also support multiple lot severances on land that is not farmable. Example 3 acre parcel that can not be used for agricultural farming be granted severances for 6 1/2 acre lots. This would have no impact on agricultural land and would help let others enjoy county living along with make use of land that is dormant and has no use. Just having the opportunity to use the lot as capital to expand one’s operation or to simply leverage a loan against the lot will be instrumental in helping farmers keep up with rising inputs that are moving faster than the return. I am a member of OFA and I am very disappointed that they played a very significant roll in having the government pull farm severances out of bill 97. There support was from land owners that do not support lot severances because of the type of farming that they do. Very simple if you do not want to participate in severances than don’t but for those that do than do not stand in there way. Again it should be up to the owner of the land.