A 220-acre plot of federally owned land in Surrey, British Columbia, stands as a novel asset for native farmers, typically described as a ‘little piece of California.’ Farmers urge safety amid mounting pressures from housing, warehousing, and park growth wants.
Distinctive Soil Allows Early Planting
The land’s sandy, well-drained soil permits early crop planting, with potatoes going into the bottom as early as February. Staff not too long ago planted extra after heavy rains, a feat unmatched elsewhere within the Fraser Valley.
“Final week, it rained 5 inches, and we’re in a position to plant this week. That’s exceptional on some other farmland right here within the Fraser Valley,” stated Tyler Heppell of Heppell’s Potato Farm.
Boosting Meals Safety
This functionality proves important for regional meals safety. Farmers harvest the 12 months’s first crops right here, decreasing reliance on imported produce throughout the Fraser Valley and western Canada.
“The rationale it’s so necessary to our meals safety is as a result of we’re in a position to plant the primary crops of the 12 months on this land and meaning we’re in a position to harvest the primary crops,” Heppell defined. “So it turns off our reliance on international produce right here within the Fraser Valley, and even in western Canada.”
Heppell’s operates on a year-to-year lease, however the property sits on the federal disposal listing. The farm yields an estimated 30-50 million servings yearly throughout off-seasons for different lands.
Requires Federal Safety
Regardless of a petition garnering 85,000 signatures and years of advocacy, Ottawa has supplied no commitments. “There’s a whole lot of stress proper now for housing, warehousing, park services, so there’s lots of people that need this land for their very own wants,” Heppell famous. “What we’re asking is the federal authorities to hearken to the voices of the folks, and make one of the best determination for the folks of British Columbia.”
Tyler Heppell seeks a protecting covenant, highlighting farmland losses amid Canada’s push for self-sufficiency. The Heppell household has farmed the location for over 50 years.
“It took 5 years to actually get it producing, however we caught to it,” stated Ron Heppell.
Political Help Grows
Native leaders echo the decision. “We’ve put stress on the federal authorities and the provincial authorities to guard this land,” stated Mike Bose, a Surrey metropolis councillor.
Ian Paton, B.C. Conservative agriculture critic and MLA for Delta South, expressed frustration: “It’s very irritating that we are able to’t appear to get any solutions from the federal authorities, or the province, as to how we are able to maintain this 200-and-some-odd acres of gorgeous farmland in Surrey from being developed into an industrial park.”
B.C.’s Agriculture and Meals Minister Lana Popham acknowledges the land’s worth, noting it falls exterior the Agricultural Land Reserve however provides key native greens from Might to early July. “Simply days in the past, I spoke about this matter to the federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, and individually with Senator Mary Robinson, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry,” she acknowledged.
