Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Arzeena Hamir <arzeenahamir@shaw.ca>]

Just in case people thought the craziness was limited to south of the border...

Arzeena Hamir MSc. P.Ag.

Coordinator

Richmond Food Security Society

http://richmondfoodsecurity.org

coordinator@richmondfoodsecurity.org

http://twitter.com/arzeena

Lantzville shuts down Dirk Becker's urban farm

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=c59ffbaa-16ec-4768-a0d1-d6df650e2ff0

Nanaimo Daily News

November 20, 2010

Well-known urban farmer and local food production advocate Dirk Becker has been ordered to shut down his 2.5-acre Lantzville farm because of a home business bylaw that does not include agriculture in its regulations.

People can grow food for personal consumption, but they cannot sell the food for profit, according to the district's bylaws.

Becker and his partner, Nicole Shaw, spent five years transforming their property into a rich urban farm that produces an abundance of fresh food.

Dirk Becker will fight a Lantzville bylaw that threatens to shut down his urban farm.

They sell their produce at the Bowen Road Farmers' Market, which the couple founded several years ago. They are the epitome of the modern food movement that encourages people to grow food in their backyards.

Shaw and Becker have protested the order delivered earlier this month and have taken the opportunity to have the bylaw changed. Lantzville Mayor Colin Haime invites the couple to present their concerns to council.

"We want the District of Lantzville to change the business bylaws to reflect current future needs," said Becker.

"These bylaws are quite typical in communities all across the country. It's time for governments to catch up to Canadians who want to grow more food themselves."

Regional District of Nanaimo bylaw enforcement officers, who are contracted by the District of Lantzville, responded to complaints about mounds of dirt and manure in front of the Becker home on Fernmar Road.

Officer Brian Brack ordered Becker to clean up the property, which was in violation of the unsightly premises bylaw. During that original investigation, it was discovered that the farm has been used to grow food commercially, according to Haime.

The mayor said the order to stop growing food illustrates the need to revisit the bylaws.

"There has been this characterization that this is an attack on urban farming, agriculture and sustainability, but that's just not the case," said Haime.

Becker and Shaw want to change the laws. The business bylaw should allow people to grow food commercially. Otherwise, "nearly every farmer who shows up at the farmers' market is doing business illegally," Becker said.

Haime agrees that this should not simply be a rezoning of one property. He said the entire community should consider the issue and weigh in.

Becker is prepared to lobby council to initiate the necessary public process required to make any changes. Haime already said that process will only begin, if the politicians deem it necessary.

"It has to be a council decision. . . and it's a lengthy process," he explained.

Haime visited some of Becker and Shaw's neighbours and has found that most people agree with urban farming, but they have some concerns.

"Nobody's in opposition of growing food. I can't see anybody opposing that, but how is it going to work?" he asked.

Becker said he has had difficulty with one neighbour over the years, but he and Shaw have never tried to hide what they do. They grow about 1,300 kilograms of squash in a single year, 900 kilograms of potatoes, 230 kilograms of watermelon and 4,000 garlic bulbs. Plus enough greens to fill a pickup truck 10 times over.

"What we want to see is an amendment to the bylaw as Victoria has done, where urban farming is considered legal and a home-based business," said Becker.

DSpalding@nanaimodailynews.com

250-729-4231