Q2: What will you do to help the local agriculture community in Caledon become a stronger and more vibrant part of our economy? 

Regional Council Candidates:

Richard Paterak

"I will continue to support allowing agricultural operations to have integrated opportunities to direct market their products. More farmers need to embrace niche products that appeal to our urban neighbours. OPA 179 also allows non-farm businesses to be established by the farm operators on farm properties."

Jim Pattison

No reply.

Area Council Candidates:

Doug Beffort

"The community in which I live was a much broader agricultural community when I arrived here 36 years ago than it is now. I have had my share of chasing cattle and helping birth livestock. I have also had my share of haying with my neighbours."

"It may be difficult to maintain the traditional view of farming, as it existed when I worked with my neighbours. What we need to do is to look at new and specialty products and farming activities that will benefit from the closeness of a huge Toronto market. We need to nurture organic farming, which provides a greater profit for farmers. We need to encourage equestrian uses, users of prime hay, straw and other feeds. We need to allow some non-farm related activities in order for farmers to make ends meet and to fill in the work year. A case in point is the creation of a ‘chicken farm’ immediately to the north of my home on Kennedy Road in Caledon. Yes, there are issues about proper disposing of waste and some odours but these issues can and have been resolved with the result of a positive land use for the farmer. I have thought of the idea of factory farms but I’m not sure if the land and the closeness of the homes are consistent with that concept. I would have to learn more. Speaking of that, I think the town should encourage seminars and workshops to the local farmers to help them work through this transition period they may find themselves in. We should promote unique ideas in farming, promote the location of our farms to a huge market and promote the new concepts and products that young people of today seem to want."

Tim Forester

"I know that the beef farmers of our community are suffering and many have to supplement their income with other jobs to keep the farm viable. The crop farmers are in bad shape also. They are selling their corn and soybeans for less than the cost of production. I believe that the farmers probably have the best insight into what they need to be viable and are looking for Federal and Provincial support. We can support them by simplifying environmental restrictions imposed on them. When people drive through Caledon they expect to see farms. It is important that we retain this aspect of our community."

John Martin

"I was brought up in a rural agricultural area. INGLEWOOD. The last 45 years in Caledon have seen tremendous changes. Now we are a rural residential area with only a few token family farms left. Agriculture in Caledon is a dream occupation. As this last generation of farmers approaches retirement production will cease here and move to areas with less urban pressure. This last generation of producers do need our help as it is by their land stewardship skills that we enjoy the benefits of a green countryside. There is no fix, even complete municipal tax relief will only delay the inevitable. Federal trade initiatives are the only fix for agriculture but at a great cost to all other residents of Canada."

"The slow death of the family farm has made Caledon's landscape what it is today. We do have agribusiness on a small scale but it is not sustainable. Most farming in south Caledon is a by-product of developers waiting to build sprawl. Many of the farmers are or are the descendents of families who have already "sold out" in Brampton, Mississauga, and other south GTA areas. The equity from the sale of their "southern farms" has allowed them to continue to farm here. Tax laws force these Farmers to reinvest in agriculture or pay the taxes on the income received. The pressure on farmland prices by these cash rich farmers,  developers looking for a crop of houses on nice flat easy to build on land, and well healed urban folk wanting to escape to a quieter lifestyle has left local family farms without a way to continue to grow. These farms are slowly choking to death. In the white belt the farmers are looking forward to their last crop, houses."

"A well managed dairy farm may be able to consider expanding on good soil in the best conditions purchasing land in the 5 to 8000 dollar range per acre. think of land values in Caledon , even scrub and brush commands more dollars. Most cash crop farmers get free rent for signing an agricultural use paper so that the landowner pays reduced taxes .Even with free rent cash croppers are burning up their equity."

"What will be good for agriculture? Niche marketing for specialty crops, agri-tourism, carbon fixing, energy production  ie wind, biodigesters, bio-fuels both fuel oils and alcohol.  These concepts may keep johnny on the farm."