To the Editor,
Re: Lantzville looking for farm solutions, Letters, July 23.
The current issue over urban agriculture in Lantzville has generated more heat than light on a matter essential to our well-being.
Trends such as increasing prices for food should encourage growing locally and support those able to produce more than their immediate needs.
In the case of Compassion Farm, one determined neighbour is very vocal about his distaste for agriculture taking place next door to him and Coun. Warren Griffey says he was horrified to see horse manure being brought in “and dumped right in front of me.”
It is significant that other residents of Fernmar Road do not find the farm objectionable and several are offering to sign a petition asking that the farm be allowed to continue.
While manure is not a pleasant substance to work with, it is a universally accepted way of returning nutrients to soil after crops are removed to prevent depletion of fertility.
Connie Kuramoto, (Urban farming requires support, Letters, July 16) with her years of experience and expertise in keeping soil fertile, has pointed out that manure mixed with carbonaceous material such as wood chips is an excellent additive to maintain fertility.
When our elected council wants to ban uncomposted manure and wood chips from the property, is this a subtle way of ensuring the land will gradually lose its fertility until farming becomes unproductive?
This would require setting up a composting facility away from the farm and cause extra expense. I find it hard to understand why anyone would find wood chips offensive.
Albert Stewart
Lantzville