Wayne J. Caldwell - Farmland Preservation: Land for Future Generations

Farmland
PRESERVATION

Land for Future Generations

WAYNE CALDWELL, STEW HILTS, AND BRONWYNNE WILTON

SECOND EDITION

The Authors 2017

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University of Manitoba Press

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Treaty 1 Territory

uofmpress.ca

Cataloguing data available from Library and Archives Canada

isbn 978-0-88755-820-7 (paper)

isbn 978-0-88755-520-6 (pdf)

isbn 978-0-88755-518-3 (epub)

Cover design by Frank Reimer

Interior design by Jess Koroscil

Cover photo by Paul Kraehling

Printed in Canada

The University of Manitoba Press acknowledges the financial support for its publication program provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Department of Sport, Culture, and Heritage, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Manitoba Book Publishing Tax Credit.

CONTENTS

Bronwynne Wilton

Michael Troughton

Christopher Bryant, Claude Marois, Denis Granjon, and Ghalia Chahine

Wayne Caldwell, Stew Hilts, and Bronwynne Wilton

Barry E. Smith

J.C. (Jim) Hiley

Gary Davidson

Kevin McNaney and Kelsey Lang

Wayne Caldwell, Arthur Churchyard, and Claire Dodds

Nicolas Brunet

Matt Setzkorn

Tom Daniels

Bob Wagner

Trevor Budge and Andrew Butt

Wayne Caldwell, Bronwynne Wilton, and Kate Procter

PREFACE

Preface to the Second Edition

WAYNE CALDWELL, STEW HILTS, AND BRONWYNNE WILTON

Farmland Preservation: Land for Future Generations speaks to farmland as an essential resource, meeting not only a basic human need but also important fuel, fibre, energy, and sociocultural needs. As land is lost to urban sprawl and other non-farming activities, our ability to produce food and protect agri-environmental resources becomes limited. Farmland preservation is about protecting the agricultural land base for future generations. This need for protection is driven by uncertainty caused by climate change, population growth, food security, energy availability, and a host of other local and global factors. This uncertainty means that there is an ever-growing responsibility to ensure that the actions of today do not compromise the needs of future generations.

This responsibility to ensure protection of this important natural resource is the driving force behind this second edition of Farmland Preservation. Since the 2009 release of the first edition of this book, governments and communities have continued to struggle with competing demands for the use of high-quality agricultural land. We now know that climate change will have impacts on agricultural land and productivity around the world, underscoring the urgent need to protect arable land in order to meet the future global demand for food, fibre, and energy. There is also renewed interest in local food, healthy eating, rural resilience, and the contributions of agriculture to local economic and social development.

Individually, several chapters in this book explore issues in specific jurisdictions, such as British Columbia, Quebec, and Australia. These chapters provide in-depth analyses of different approaches at local, provincial (or state), and national levels. Collectively, the chapters present a broad spectrum of thought on issues related to farmland preservation. Presented is a range of ideas and policy options that can assist planners in developing regionally appropriate and effective strategies. Although the book does have a distinctly Canadian focus, it will also be of interest to anyone seeking thoughtful approaches to the preservation of farmland.

Throughout the thirteen chapters in this book, both conceptual contexts of farmland preservation policies and specific examples of jurisdictional approaches to protecting high-quality agricultural land resources are included. The Introduction provides an overview of the different paradigms that shape agricultural land preservation policies, and Chapter 1 provides the historical context of current approaches to these policies. The next four chapters provide insights into different approaches in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Evolving issues and creative responses are covered in Chapters 6 through 10. The concept of Smart Growth in relation to farmland preservation is discussed within contexts in both Ontario and British Columbia, taking into consideration the complexities of accommodating a growing population on a limited land base. Other issues, such as non-farm severances and farm-level adaptation in the peri-urban space, are also discussed, along with a focused look at a unique response to preserving farmland in Ontario through the use of permanent easements held by the Ontario Farmland Trust.

International perspectives on farmland preservation are provided in the latter chapters and include examples from the United States and Australia. Although the policy and land-use planning frameworks might differ between countries, the issue is universal: how to ensure an adequate and sustainable agricultural land base for future generations in the face of multiple and competing demands. Our hope as editors is that this book will stimulate further discussion, research, and action leading to a renewed commitment to protect farmland for future generations. Although this issue does not always command public attention, it is an important one that awaits strong leadership from planners, farmers, academics, policy makers, and members of society.

INTRODUCTION

Farmland Preservation Perspectives

BRONWYNNE WILTON

Farmland preservation is an issue that societies and governments around the world must face as the global population increases. Current projections are that the global population will reach 9 billion by 2050, and ensuring that an adequate amount of food is produced will continue to challenge the agri-food system. Although feeding the global population requires multiple approaches, such as minimizing food waste, increasing equity in food distribution, and advancing technologies for crop efficiency, a stable and secure base of high-quality agricultural land will be a key component of a resilient and sustainable global food system. In addition to the growing population, the global agricultural system faces uncertainties and challenges because of climate change. Arid regions of the world in particular are facing increased drought conditions, while other regions are experiencing unusual local weather patterns and extreme weather events such as floods and prolonged periods of high temperatures. This global uncertainty places additional pressure on regions such as Canada (in particular Ontario, with its high-quality agricultural lands and favourable climatic conditions) to protect this valuable resource for future generations.

The need to protect farmland from urban development has been recognized in countries around the world (see Bunce 1998; Han and He 1999; Onata et al. 2000; and Yokohari, Brown, and Takeuchi 1994). In fact, over the past three decades, a growing body of literature and policy work related to farmland preservation has been developed in North America in response to increased public concern over the permanent loss of agricultural land (Bunce 1998; Liu and Lynch 2011). Although farmland preservation has been recognized as a priority for jurisdictions around the world, several different protectionist policies have been implemented, depending on national and local involvement in the planning process as well as societal values, ideals, and norms.