I am writing to you in…

I am writing to you in regards to the proposed Greenbelt expansion into Brant cCounty.
We own and operate an eighth generation apple orchard in the township of South Dumfries.
In 2021, we will be celebrating our 200th harvest near St. George. We, as a family, feel this is quite an accomplishment
Over the years, we have evolved into a sustainable orchard and destination for many customers throughout the Golden Horseshoe. Our family has engaged in environmentally acceptable farming techniques and have subscribed to the province's Integrated Pest Management protocols since 1987.
We have also completed the province's Environmental Farm Plan on two occasions.
Based on your statistics, we have learned that the Greenbelt has not been a benefit to Ontario Agriculture. They show that on the 10 year analysis that farms have actually decreased faster inside the Greenbelt boundaries' than our province's average.
In theory, The Greenbelt appears to be an essential component of Ontario's food chain , but in realty has added another tier of bureacracy and devalued the farmer's main fixed asset by limiting the options he or she has when they decide to retire.
Unfortunately, farmers make up less than 2 percent of the province's electorate and the Greenbelt enjoys over 90% acceptance with Ontario's voters. Greenbelt decisions regarding farming futures are not being made by farmers.
In Brant County , we have both a viable Conservation Authority and an environmentally friendly County Council. Several of the counsellors have an agricultural background.
We feel that our agricultural sector here in Brant County have and will continue to be good land stewards. The Greenbelt expansion is not necessary to sustain positive land stewardship.
Respectfully submitted