Essex County Council has rejected a recommendation from the province that it limits how small farms can be.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs suggests the county put in its official plan that farms can be no less than 100 acres, but many on council think the recommendation is ridiculous, including Leamington Mayor John Paterson.
"When you look at the speciality crops that are grown in our area, we're not the same as the areas I think OMAFRA is focusing on," he says.
Paterson points out many farms north of the region either raise cattle or grow grains where larger farms make sense, as opposed to the orchards and wineries in Essex County. He adds that he's not sure why OMAFRA made the recommendation.
"We are just kind of are scratching our heads because they are supposed to be the government representation of the farming community, yet they seem to be unaware, maybe, of the differences," he speculates. "I think the idea of a 100-acre minimum is based on trying to save farmland instead of being expanded into residential."
Paterson is also afraid such a recommendation would spell the end of small family farms since most families can't afford to buy 100 acres.
The recommendation is not binding.
