[All] Fwd: February: Food & Water First

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From: The Food and Water First Team <foodandwaterfirstteam at gmail.com> 
Date: 02-02-2015  6:58 PM  (GMT-05:00) 
To: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> 
Subject: February: Food & Water First 

February 2015 Newsletter
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Latest News

Moratorium: Getting responses

The Food & Water First request for a 10-year moratorium on new rezoning applications involving Class 1 farmland is yielding some answers. Ontario's Agriculture Minister, Jeff Leal, has responded and, while he doesn't acknowledge the moratorium proposal in his letter, he does say the government recognizes the importance of Ontario's farmland and is "committed to protecting it for future generations."

The promised Farms Forever program is also addressed, though there are no details. 

While we are in the very early stages of developing this initiative, the program's goals are to help preserve the productive capacity of agricultural lands close to urban centres, support the local sourcing of food, strengthen Ontario's agri-food sector and support young farmers.

Two of our supporters in Midhurst received this reply from Interim PC leader Jim Wilson: 

 I share the serious concern that the current government fails to understand the importance of preserving prime agriculture land and supporting Ontario's rural jobs and communities. For example, there is the government approval of non-agricultural projects like industrial wind turbines on some of our best agricultural land. I am sharing your proposal with MPP Toby Barrett, the Ontario PC Critic for Agriculture, for debate and consideration among our caucus colleagues. Your input is very much appreciated. 

Thanks to everyone for contacting the Premier, her cabinet and MPPs. Sent your letter yet? Please do! We've made it easy. Time for Action 

Blog beat

Our friends at the Big Carrot in Toronto asked us to share our thoughts on the Year of Soils. The popular organic grocery store has been a generous host to Food & Water First and supporter of the cause. Many thanks to the Big Carrot for inviting us to spread the word in this blog: 

The Dirt on the Year of Soils

What's up with the Americans?

Pennsylvania has been doing it since 1988. New York State does it, as well. And now New Jersey is busy protecting its prime farmland for food production. Since 2006, New Jersey has protected 6,500 acres of its best agricultural soil. (That's the same amount of land once owned by the Highland Companies for its proposed mega quarry.)

Take a look at New Jersey's latest farmland preservation announcement: 

Courier-Post: Soil & Water Protected

Will a highway run through it?

Looks like it. Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal was in the county of Peterborough this month, touting the value and impact of Ontario's $34-billion agri-food sector. But he also announced that an extension of highway 407 will devour 3,000-acres of prime farmland. Peterborough Examiner 

Quarry fight

CKWS

Our partners with Citizens Against Melrose Quarry (CAMQ) are making headlines in the Kingston area over their battle to protect local groundwater. They're concerned about the expansion of a quarry, the pumping of million of litres of fresh water each day and the impact on their water resources. CKWS covered their campaign. Note the familiar lawn signs! CKWS: Rural residents work to pull the plug on quarry extension

Bill Lishman: New goal!

In the summer of 2013, Bill "Father Goose" Lishman piloted his famous ultralight from the Pickering Lands in Durham region to Melancthon Township. He symbolically connected the two great parcels of Class 1 soil with that remarkable flight. The Food & Water First message was emblazoned on his wings. 

Bill is embarking on a new adventure and we hope you can help him reach his destination. He's producing a book about the Oak Ridges Moraine and crowdfunding in order to publish it. Watch his video and check out the stunning photos that will be included. Make a donation and help Bill's book take flight!

Oak Ridges Moraine From Above 

Howdy, Partner! 
Does your organization or company want to be a Food & Water First Partner? Join this wide coalition of like-minded groups working to improve Ontario's land-use policies. We'll share your events and help connect you to the growing number of Ontarians concerned about our land and water resources. Contact us here:  PARTNER
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Greenbelt Town Hall

Hundreds of people converged on the village of Brougham last week to show their support for Ontario's Greenbelt. 7,000 square kilometres of farmland, forests and water resources are home to nearly one-half of the province's fruit farms and one-fifth of its vegetable farms. Yet, as the Greenbelt faces a provincial review this year, it is also facing the threat of being eroded. The Globe and Mail published an article this month dismissing the Greenbelt and suggesting farmland protection leads to higher housing prices. It also falsely stated "There's no scarcity of agricultural land in southern Ontario." A quick Google search would have revealed this fact sheet from Ontario Farmland Trust. 

The Greenbelt Town Hall heard from experts and advocates. "Economic development doesn't need Clas 1 farmland, but farmers do," said Mary Delaney of Land Over Landings. Faisal Moola of the David Suzuki Foundation told the crowd Ontario's true wealth "is in the bank of farmland, water and the environment." The key, of course, is protecting what's in this well-stocked bank.

"Soil keeps us from being hungry, thirsty, breathless, naked and homeless." Soil Science Society of America 

This eloquent observation sums up the role of soils in our daily lives. And it's just one of the many astonishing facts about soil in a terrific article in the publication Soil Horizons. For example: There are more organisms in one tablespoon of healthy soil than there are people on Earth. Read the article here:

Raising Soil's Profile in the Year of Soils

Dirty movies :) 

USDA image

It's going to be a few months before the snow melts and we're able to wiggle our toes in the garden, but these short videos will tide us over until then. They're made by US scientists who are embracing the International Year of Soils. It appears the Soil Science Society of America is going to release one every month. Enjoy!

January: Soils Sustain Life

Living, Breathing Soils

Wanted: Soil sustainability policies

Professor Sylvain Charlebois of the University of Guelph has written a column about the complacency surrounding land-use policies. As he points out "countries cannot create land." Indeed. All the more reason to preserve the best agricultural land in Canada!

Waterloo Record: Running out of agricultural frontiers

Happy Valentine's Day!

February is the month of love. So, show our farmland and water some love by encouraging your family and friends to take the Food & Water First PLEDGE.Together we will create a lasting legacy for our province and future generations.
Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or visit our website  http://foodandwaterfirst.com/  for regular updates. 

Food & Water First is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving Class 1 farmland and source water regions in Ontario. Food & Water First uses your contact information to send you information on topics and events that may be of interest to you. We do not share your contact information with any outside parties.

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