President of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
Response to the City Wide Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
The EFCL has decided to ask the city to do more work on the Food and Agricultural Strategy before adopting the draft document as city policy.
While liking many of the ideas presented in the policy, such as the promotion of food hubs, farmer’s markets and community gardens, the EFCL couldn't determine from the document who was going to undertake any of the projects, how they would do them or where they would get the resources.
The EFCL also didn't see any commitment to protecting any of the city’s prime agricultural land, which is a key ingredient to providing locally-grown food.
Without additional direction the federation is concerned that the draft policy won’t accomplish much of anything.
Response to the City Wide Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
From David Dodge's blog http://efcldistrictb.blogspot.ca/
#5 Food And Agricultural Strategy Needs More Meat On The Bones
The EFCL has decided to ask the city to do more work on the Food and Agricultural Strategy before adopting the draft document as city policy.
While liking many of the ideas presented in the policy, such as the promotion of food hubs, farmer’s markets and community gardens, the EFCL couldn't determine from the document who was going to undertake any of the projects, how they would do them or where they would get the resources.
The EFCL also didn't see any commitment to protecting any of the city’s prime agricultural land, which is a key ingredient to providing locally-grown food.
Without additional direction the federation is concerned that the draft policy won’t accomplish much of anything.
The following is the response to Mr. Dodge from NEEA, please feel free to comment on his blog or send him an email if you should choose, email
David Dodge districtb@efcl.org <districtb@efcl.org>
Ask him to consider NEEA 's position.
Hi David,
North East Edmonton Alliance (NEEA) is a group of landowners in NE Edmonton representing the majority of landowners in NE Edmonton – better known as “Horse Hill” or the North East Urban Growth Area (UGA).
Of the 3,887 hectares acres under discussion in the NE UGA, 26% is within the River Valley Alliance jurisdiction and a further 8.8% is already in use for recreation areas, power lines & telecommunication sites, and the Alberta Hospital Edmonton leaving approximately 2,530 hectares for development and amenities including parks, schools, roads and other ancillary uses, those who wish to continue farming into the future own approximately 200 hectares – the remainder is owned by an assortment of developers and other private landowners.
Since annexation in 1981, it was made very clear to the residents that until it was required for urban development, it would be staged as agriculture. For the residents and area agricultural producers this was fine. However, leapfrog development and uses not compatible with the agricultural nature of the area have increased significantly. This, over the past several years and for the past two MDP debates, led to the Horse Hill Community League requesting that Council proceed with an Area Structure Plan so that these sorts of developments could be curtailed and rezoning where it was required and consistent with the ASP could proceed. For instance there is a major cemetery developed in the area that is currently zoned agricultural. This should be corrected.
From our perspective, these individuals who wish to continue farming should prove their intent by donating and preserving in perpetuity their lands as agriculture through the Edmonton Area Land Trust; an organization who I believe Mr. Bolstad was instrumental in implementing while he represented TOPSOIL and Legacy Lands Conservation Society. Both these organizations are well known within our community for past land preservation tactics in Horse Hill (NE Edmonton). NEEA suspects this will NOT occur as past suggestions to this effect have not been heeded. There would have been ways to save this land if that was truly important to this group through any number of avenues including cooperative ownership as they, their friends and relatives sold land to developers.
Soil tests have been taken and there have been two previous studies by the City of Edmonton. This strategy does not show results different form the past two. We are not surprised by the latest study results, but we are surprised how suddenly everyone seems to claim the soil inside Edmonton is better than anything around Edmonton.
North East Edmonton Alliance (NEEA) is a group of landowners in NE Edmonton representing the majority of landowners in NE Edmonton – better known as “Horse Hill” or the North East Urban Growth Area (UGA).
Of the 3,887 hectares acres under discussion in the NE UGA, 26% is within the River Valley Alliance jurisdiction and a further 8.8% is already in use for recreation areas, power lines & telecommunication sites, and the Alberta Hospital Edmonton leaving approximately 2,530 hectares for development and amenities including parks, schools, roads and other ancillary uses, those who wish to continue farming into the future own approximately 200 hectares – the remainder is owned by an assortment of developers and other private landowners.
Since annexation in 1981, it was made very clear to the residents that until it was required for urban development, it would be staged as agriculture. For the residents and area agricultural producers this was fine. However, leapfrog development and uses not compatible with the agricultural nature of the area have increased significantly. This, over the past several years and for the past two MDP debates, led to the Horse Hill Community League requesting that Council proceed with an Area Structure Plan so that these sorts of developments could be curtailed and rezoning where it was required and consistent with the ASP could proceed. For instance there is a major cemetery developed in the area that is currently zoned agricultural. This should be corrected.
From our perspective, these individuals who wish to continue farming should prove their intent by donating and preserving in perpetuity their lands as agriculture through the Edmonton Area Land Trust; an organization who I believe Mr. Bolstad was instrumental in implementing while he represented TOPSOIL and Legacy Lands Conservation Society. Both these organizations are well known within our community for past land preservation tactics in Horse Hill (NE Edmonton). NEEA suspects this will NOT occur as past suggestions to this effect have not been heeded. There would have been ways to save this land if that was truly important to this group through any number of avenues including cooperative ownership as they, their friends and relatives sold land to developers.
Soil tests have been taken and there have been two previous studies by the City of Edmonton. This strategy does not show results different form the past two. We are not surprised by the latest study results, but we are surprised how suddenly everyone seems to claim the soil inside Edmonton is better than anything around Edmonton.
The study has
proven 733,000 ha of #1, 2 and 3 soil makes up the Edmonton capital
region. Fact is much of the information gathered for this study came from those
past land studies.
NEEA is of the opinion that although we as an organization will support the study, we cannot understand whom, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues is representing here?
Where did EFCL
gather their information? NEEA is concerned with the implication and direction
that may come from your comments. Have you ever had a discussion with the Horse
Hill Community League? Has EFCL held a local open house for feedback? How
informed are you and your executive on agriculture in the City? Many of our
members are farmers or past producers who are very informed and would
provide a much different perspective if you are interested in the other side of
the story.
During the past 32 years a group of agricultural producers have wanted to create an agricultural zone. These same producers at one point owned much of the land that is being sought out which is over and above the land currently owned by them. Instead of preserving this "prime agricultural land" through ownership they decided to sell it but not for agricultural value instead to the development industry knowing very clearly who was purchasing the land. Six farmers... 2- market and greenhouse commercial producers, 2-tree and shrub nurseries, 1- berry producer and an international commercial seed potato producer who harvests and stores very little in Edmonton boundaries.
The Horse Hill Community League was blindsided at the MDP when the Greater Edmonton Alliance along with these six agricultural producers made a presentation to City Council to involve this City Wide Food and Agriculture Strategy to the remaining UGA’s. The main aim of this Strategy seemed to be solely focused on “saving” agricultural land in the NE rather than developing a comprehensive food strategy for the City. Publicly even now all discussion is focused on the NE. How does this translate into a “food movement” or a food strategy as to a City wide aspect?
This issue has divided the community for years. We have dealt for the past two years now with the implications that these groups presented at City Council. The numerous meetings, lack of representation to the stakeholder meetings, incorrect addresses to which questionnaires and surveys were sent or never received are issues the league has tried to address as it tries to ensure that all residents all heard on this issue. We support the representative from the Horse Hill Community League in her efforts in this regard.
During the past 32 years a group of agricultural producers have wanted to create an agricultural zone. These same producers at one point owned much of the land that is being sought out which is over and above the land currently owned by them. Instead of preserving this "prime agricultural land" through ownership they decided to sell it but not for agricultural value instead to the development industry knowing very clearly who was purchasing the land. Six farmers... 2- market and greenhouse commercial producers, 2-tree and shrub nurseries, 1- berry producer and an international commercial seed potato producer who harvests and stores very little in Edmonton boundaries.
The Horse Hill Community League was blindsided at the MDP when the Greater Edmonton Alliance along with these six agricultural producers made a presentation to City Council to involve this City Wide Food and Agriculture Strategy to the remaining UGA’s. The main aim of this Strategy seemed to be solely focused on “saving” agricultural land in the NE rather than developing a comprehensive food strategy for the City. Publicly even now all discussion is focused on the NE. How does this translate into a “food movement” or a food strategy as to a City wide aspect?
This issue has divided the community for years. We have dealt for the past two years now with the implications that these groups presented at City Council. The numerous meetings, lack of representation to the stakeholder meetings, incorrect addresses to which questionnaires and surveys were sent or never received are issues the league has tried to address as it tries to ensure that all residents all heard on this issue. We support the representative from the Horse Hill Community League in her efforts in this regard.
As the past president of this community, I am suggesting the EFCL become more involved educating themselves from affected individuals from all sides prior to developing an opinion that can or will create long reaching consequences. As an example, during my Community Presidency, the Top of Bank Policy was supported by the EFCL. Consequences to privately owned properties were not fully explored, as the landowners were not consulted. Are you completely aware of the restrictions and constraints this has created with the EFCL's support? My property is one of them, when I questioned EFCL; I was never given a reply. NEEA would like you to reconsider your statement until you consult with a broader range of stakeholders including the affected Communities and their respective leagues.
Please feel free
to contact us or visit our blog
northeastedmontonalliance.blogspot.ca
Sincerely;
Todd Molineaux
NEEA Representative
Sincerely;
Todd Molineaux
NEEA Representative
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