Campaign to save Summerland land

Photo: Contributed - Summerland ALR

A campaign comprised of concerned Summerland farmers, residents, and other stakeholders is underway to raise awareness about and protest proposed changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

The ALR was created in 1973 to protect land for farming and food production.

In December, Summerland Council voted to begin drafting changes to the Official Community Plan that would remove 87 hectares of land from the ALR for development.

"This is some of the best farming land in the valley" said local farmer and organizer of the Save the Summerland ALR campaign Erin Carlson. "It is flat, arable, and would be profitable to a modern farming enterprise. But some of the owners are seeking to develop it instead. They will not sell or lease the land to farmers."

For decades, Summerlanders have expressed their support for protecting ALR land through the Official Community Plan.

In a 2012 Citizen Survey by the District of Summerland, 62.5% of respondents indicated that their vision of Summerland is agricultural.

The campaign will be putting forward constructive alternatives to the proposal in the days to come.

For more information visit: http://savethesummerlandalr.com/.