I wanted to pen a letter in…

I wanted to pen a letter in support of the severances/additional residency outlined in the Proposal Provincial Planning Statement.

I grew up on a farm in Ontario. Our popular farm store and strawberry U-pick operation is just on the edge Strathroy. This 150 acre farm, which is in two parcels, belonged to my grandparents. In the 80s, my dad took over this former tobacco growing operation and eventually grew it into a very successful berry farm, that is well known in our area for exceptional quality produce.

I am very involved with the farming operations. My dad has been actively teaching me his growing methods - but that has proven difficult as I live 20 minutes from the farm with my husband and 4 children. Unfortunately, under our current municipal bylaws - farming is just a dream for my family as we are unable to build a home on the farm.

We hope to make the transition to farming and raise our children in the way I was raised. Why does this have to be ‘just a dream’ in most municipalities? How does this government expect to continue to grow food on our prime agricultural land without allowing the next generation a place to live on the farm?

I fear this is the case for many farming families in Ontario. As our ‘boomers’ age, their children cannot afford to purchase the land at current market value. So, even if the family can come to an agreement in regards to transition - many are unable to build second home on the property. What will happen to all this land throughout our province and country? A very a scary thought in regards to our food production!

Our family has big and exciting plans for growth and we are counting on these proposed changes to move forward. This issue is quite literally leaving our lives and livelihoods in the balance. There are no words to describe what it would mean for 3 generations of our family to be able to live and work alongside one another everyday.

A change is simply critical to the continuation of our family farm.