Ag development vs. Rural development

[cakadu]

100 years ago, you could only farm so much land because you were pulling implements behind horses. 50 years ago you had a two cylinder tractor pulling an 8 foot seeder, swather, thrasher etc. No you have 400 hp tractors pulling 60 feet of iron that can do 3 different things at once. Agricultural technology has improved to the point that we can now do far more with less people. The paradox is that as agricultural growth increases, rural development decreases because people move away, services such as banking and grocery stores close up and you have to go farther for your basic necessities of life.

How do you see your rural community in 10 to 15 years? How much of a part will agriculture play?

[bombay_43]

I predict that this will be the new burning issue!

With the loss of our rail line to North East Alberta, I believe that the conventional "family farm" is finished! Anything in the form of grain or oil seeds, will be shipped in B trains, so that anyone with smaller amounts to sell than 2000 bushels of barley, will be squeezed out.

Already pork producers have vertually been illiminated in that many have well over an hours drive to the nearest hog marketing pickup. You will inconceivably see intensive livestock operations cropping up, and small producers vanishing. (A trend I fear is nation wide).

Possibly the expectation that our area will be used by larger operations, strictly for grazing purposes, will come true. Large acreage fenced areas for producers from other areas to utilize.

Cropping up here, will become both inefficient, and ineffectual!

Sad! The beginning to the end of family farms!

[cowman]

I expect the community I live in to keep following the trend of urbanization. And that is probably a good thing in that the people who pay the high prices will value the land. It will continue to become a playground for the rich. The farmers left are getting old and there are few young ones around. Wealthy European farmers might slow down the trend but in reality they will be small pockets in a rising tide of urbanization.
The thing that bothers me most is this is some of the best farm land in western Canada and soon it will be lawns and horse paddocks! But everything changes!

[Deb]

If we can't show the urban consumer how their food is grown/raised, and get them to understand that the well-being of the family farm is their future food insurance, then all will be lost to the mega-hog and cattle operations. In this county, we'll be wall to wall livestock thanks to Ralph's Agricultural Operation Practices Amendment Act which takes away local citizen's right to protect themselves from massive hog and cattle operations setting up next door.

We must work towards saving our family farms and connecting the consumer to the land again, through these remaining small, mixed family farms.

[cowman]

Now Deb, where I live they basically don't allow any more "factory farms". If the pig barns or feedlots that are here want to expand they jump through hoops like you wouldn't believe! Hog barns that want any kind of expansion have to inject their manure(which is a good thing). But basically there is no more expansion and most of these type of farms realize they will eventually be phased out. In their place we have the urbanite turned weekend farmer with lamas, horses, donkeys etc. Absolutely useless as far as food production. So now we have donkeys grazing $2000-3000/acre land that could grow some of the heaviest crops in the province. But we won't have any more dirty old farmers making dust and noise, right? And no more smell of spray in the air in the spring. And no more lights keeping us up at night in the fall when the harvest is on. Just the gentle braying of the donkeys as they go about grazing(and maybe escaping!).
Of course there could be some disadvantages. Like who will pull you out of the ditch in a snowstorm at 2 A.M.? Or who will help you round up the donkeys when they get out and leave the country? No one will wave to you on the road and you won't have a clue in hell who your neighbors are. And when your donkeys get into the neighbors yard you will get your butt sued!
The day of the little farmer are over! The day of the rural community is fast coming to an end! If you have the opportunity savor the moment because it will soon be gone...and wall yourself in so the neighbors don't "invade" your personal space!!!That is the new reality of rural living!

[cakadu]

What would some of you like to see as rural development in your areas? Is rural development the creation of these small acreages so that people can get away from the city to live?

I heard an interesting analogy at the rural conference and that is that each of us can be both a consumer and a citizen. If we were asked if we would like an amusement park an hour outside the city so that we could take our kids out there, what would you say? This would be the consumer in you talking/answering.

Would you have the same answer if you were asked if this same amusement park should be built in Waterton or Banff? This would be the citizen in you talking.

What does rural development look like for you?

[Deb]

Cakadu help!!

Here is the senario: The guy that we bought the land from in an aspen parkland ecosystem that was ranchland (cattlegrazed for 50 years now not grazed), is now wanting to subdivide 5 more parcels out of his land that surrounds us. I bought a quarter section from him basically to save it from subdivision and dirt bikes which would destroy this elk habitat.

I plan to contact the people effected as well, and get together. our property is next to a wetland and provincial park. I guess I'll contact the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The other weird thing is I am doing some writing about the problem of subdivision of ranchland and how it buggers up natural ecosystems. It breaks my heart to think of more fences and more roads and bikers and dogs chasing deer.

Hey I have an idea. If we lose, I'll work towards a ruling that says that there can only be a certain density in a certain number of aquare miles if it is to maintain wildlife habitat. And any house built should be solar and be no bigger than 900 square feet. I wonder how we go about getting the county to do this.

This is going to be interesting and very educational.

[cowman]

Deb: Put your morals and idealism on the shelf, run into the county and subdivide the whole damn quarter before he can. Sell it to the city slickers for big bucks, buy a mercedes, a yacht and some ocean front property on Vancouver Island ! Live the good life and if you are feeling guilty donate a few thousand to "Save the Rainforest" type of thing. Life is short, enjoy it. Because if you don't the next guy will!!!

[Deb]

Why the heck would I want to go somewhere else to live the good life? The good life is in watching and being a part of nature. Lose yourself in nature and you'll find yourself at home! Of course this only works for people who are not totally domesticated (which is most of the human species - incapable of appreciating the beauty and simplicity in nature.)No, the good life is not Vegas or yachts or anything man-made - that's all shallow crap.

[cakadu]

Deb, I certainly feel for your predicament and the sad thing is that I think it is just going to become a bigger and bigger phenomenon. Sometimes I think that we're not going to stop until the last tree is gone, the last truly wild animal extinct and the water not good for anything. But you can't stop progress, right?!?!?!

A couple of groups down south that you might want to get in touch with are the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society 1 - 877-999-7258 or www.salts-landtrust.org

Another is action for Agriculture (403) 932-5561 or www.action-for-agriculture.8m.com

If wetlands are involved, you might want to talk to your local DU guys as well.

Good Luck with your endeavours and if you would like, you can e-mail me directly.

[cowman]

Well Deb,to each his own I guess! I suppose there is no way you subscribe to the old philosophy in the song...it's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more MONEY???
One thing I would question is the thing about being totally "domesticated"? Have you ever seen some of these old boys in Vegas? I don't think anyone would call them domesticated!

[ianben]

If Canada has not got enough land per person what about the rest of the world.
60mill here in UK. The entire population of Canada is just 1hrs drive from my farm. We still have some wilderness areas and most wildlife survives and some even florishes adapting to most manmade environments.
India and China have huge populations how do they cope.
Low commodity prices forcing poor counties to increase production by clearing rain forests is the area conservationists should be involved in my opinion.
The NIMBY conservationist who thinks their local countryside should be frozen in the way they remember it dont seem to realise it changes contantly and the fittest survive.
People talk of nature being balanced but I feel it is more a case of action and reaction. People think they know what the reaction to a given action will be.
I heaed urban elk where a problem round Jasper perhaps a dog chasing them would do some goood.

[Deb]

I will hold onto that comment that there is still wildlife left in England. And thanks Cakadu, I plan to talk to SALTS (which I actually belong to) and the Nature Conservancy. No wetland on our property but wetland right next to us. I must do what I can. By the way I heard a good quote. We were talking about the collapse of future ecosystem and our own life support systems and about that horrible word "progress". My friend said, "Sometimes when one is standing on the edge of a precipice, taking a step backwards is the smart thing to do."

[cakadu]

Ianben, yes we do have an awful lot of land here in Canada; trouble is that very few want to live in some parts of it as it is too far away from anything and there are limitations as to what one can do to earn a living. I was recently at a rural conference "Roots and Wings" where they gave us a snapshot of the census figures from 2001. The amount of land that is sparsely inhabited is enlightening, but no where near as enlightening as the growth and urban sprawl that is occuring in certain parts of the country, particularly here in Alberta.

I don't think it has to be "one way" or the "other way", but we certainly have to strike some sort of balance.

To give you some perspective, those elk that are now wreaking havoc in Jasper once upon a time 20 or so years ago roamed in the hundreds in the areas surrounding not only Jasper, but Banff as well. Now we keep them confined in certain areas for their protection, but would they need it if it weren't so commercialized?

I recall going to the mountains to take in the splendor of what God created for us and to appreciate what was there in abundance and now when I go all I see is the Gap, Roots, McDonald's etc. That isn't what I go to places like that for. If I wanted stores, I would stay in the city and go to the mall, especially at those prices.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just wonder if we have any idea of what we are actually doing.

[cowman]

Actually Linda the problem with the elk in Jasper and Banff is the wolves have driven them into town. The elk aren't dumb they know the wolves won't come into town...at least not yet.
Why do you think all that commercial deveopement takes place(and incidently Jasper is still pretty pristine compared to Banff)? Because there is a demand for it. People want to be amused and entertained. Obviously they have the money.
You probably know there are vast amounts of oil and gas in the parks. How long do you think until the drilling rigs are in there? Also you know this is some of the dirtiest gas in Alberta...very high H2S content.
And when the oil companies are in there(not if but when!) how much longer before the logger? And how long after that until cattle? Look at that nature reserve up in Alaska...I think they have given the oil industry the green light or are awful close to it.
This is progress, whether we like it or not. Whenever it comes to nature or billions of dollars you know who will win. You might hold something up for a few years but that's all you will do.