Editor:
I must respond to Gord Harris' letter (Coast Reporter, Oct. 8) about the 71 acres on Field Road considered for removal from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Mr. Harris says this is not good land. He continues with a challenge: he would like to see me "grow a crop on that land." Then he states, "it could make a good tree farm."
I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Harris. That's why if I was given the opportunity to farm this land, I'd start by planting trees - apple and nut trees. And I wouldn't stop there. I'd also raise chickens for eggs. I'd raise free-range turkeys and hogs for meat, and then plow their manure back into a field for future garlic harvests. I'd build a hydroponic greenhouse and grow vegetables such as cucumbers and tomatoes. None of these farming activities require good land, yet they all produce food.
And food is what I most care about. We need to nurture a local, food economy by supporting farmers, and let's not forget to preserve our limited supply of agricultural land because: no land, no farms - no farms, no food.
Laura Houle
West Howe Sound
