Sunday, September 16, 2012

Does a Micro Climate exist in Horse Hill?


   In the discussion about the Horse Hill ASP, there have been claims made about the one-of-a-kind soil, and the existence of a micro climate. For reference, Webster’s dictionary defines a microclimate as:  “the essentially uniform local climate of a usually small site or habitat”.

   I don’t think anyone would suggest this is bad farm land; it certainly isn’t. Just as in other parts of our province, there is some really good soil; and some soil that isn’t as good.

   As you can see on the Government of Alberta’s website this highly productive soil surrounds Edmonton, and stretches throughout the centre of the province. It is called Black Chernozemic soils, and according to Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development: “These soils are associated with grassland areas with the most available moisture and cooler temperatures. These soils are characterized by the presence of a black surface horizon that is 12 to 20 cm thick with organic matter generally in the range of 6 to 10 percent. These are highly productive soils that are used to grow a wide variety of agricultural crops.





   The map below, also from Alberta Agriculture, shows frost-free days throughout the province. The more days above freezing, the longer the growing season:





   As you can see, there is a pocket around Edmonton that has more days with temperatures about freezing than other areas (more than 125 days). There is also a pocket east of Red Deer, and a very large region around Medicine Hat. There are many large areas in the province that have slightly less frost-free days, with 115-125 days. Most of the region with the black Chernozemic soils falls into this category. Also many farmers have fields that are earlier than others because of a south facing slope or windbreaks that provide protection.

   So while there is certainly good soil here, and a few days a year extra above freezing, it is at the very least a stretch to suggest this is the “best land in Canada” or a far superior micro-climate with a much longer growing season.  

   To say that this land is so unique that no other like can be found anywhere makes for good sound bites but it just isn’t true.

   Learn the facts; 

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

What is Urban Agriculture?



While there are community gardens throughout the city, this is something different and a very unique vision. It hasn’t been done in Edmonton before; it has never been part of the discussion in an ASP before. Where urban agriculture is concerned, here’s what the current plan proposes:
·         Retain all land currently being used by major vegetable producers as agriculture. That’s about 184 ha for private agriculture uses
·         Designate another 11 ha along the utility corridors and rail rights of way as agriculture
·         Designate some of the City’s land (10% of the total plan area, usually used for schools and parks) for community gardens. This could amount to another 8 to 15 ha
Previous ASPs in Edmonton didn’t designate any land for agriculture. What is proposed amounts to more than 200ha. That means it is being proposed to set aside more land for agricultural use than what is currently being used for intensive food production purposes such as fruit and vegetables.
That’s an important distinction to make. The ASP suggests that once this land is developed and full of vibrant communities, there would be more land for intensive food production than what is being used for that purpose today!
Despite this, there are still suggestions that this isn’t enough; that a 600 ha parcel of land needs to be set aside. Not only does this disregard landowner’s rights (see previous post), it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Who would buy this land? Who would use it? Would Edmonton rate payers foot the bill just in case enough people want to plant a garden? No viable options have been suggested. No demand for this much agricultural land has been presented. No qualified buyer has come forward looking to purchase this land.
The current plan sets aside more land for agricultural use than what the current demand for it appears to be. It is a balance of landowner’s rights, the City’s growth needs, and requests of community groups. The current ASP is fair, it makes sense, and it has NEEA’s support.
We encourage you to get involved and let your City Councillor know that you support the current ASP.
Join NEEA. Send an email to NEEAandfriends@gmail.com