A firm believer in value of ALR
Richard Bullock brings plenty of first-hand experience to his new role as head of the province’s Agricultural Land Commission. By Judie Steeves
L
ooking out at the 35 acres of farmland surrounding his home in the middle of Kelowna, Richard Bullock envisions the property still feeding people in 100 years. Although surrounded by houses and other development, it is in the Agricultural Land Reserve and its rich soil is ideal for growing food. Bullock has removed much of the old orchard and has planted seven acres of corn and four acres of pumpkins this year, all of which is sold directly from the farm and makes him a lot more money than the old apple trees did. “What’s weeds now could be blossoming tomorrow,” he comments of the land.
As the new chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Land Commission, Bullock has little patience for those who own farmland, but not with the purpose of farming it. He hopes to get through to people that farmland in B.C. is not for speculation, not intended in the long-term for development.
Bullock notes that land speculation prevents young people from getting into farming because prices are too high. However, in case that ever turns around, he believes we had better have some land left to farm.
He has just been asked by Agriculture Minister Steve Thomson to conduct a comprehensive review of the ALC and have a report on his desk by the end of October.
It’s a short timeline in which Bullock intends to do a lot of consultation with organizations around the province: both
farm and non-farm, local government and the development community. “I want to have a good listen. I want to hear what’s on everyone’s mind. I think we’ll hear a few new things; but we’ll also hear what we already know. “We’ll talk to a broad range of folks from both sides of the spectrum.” He feels the review has been precipitated by the fact there’s a new chair, and also because the ALC has been around, without many changes, for nearly 38 years now. “It’s good timing now.”
Although the land commission is an effective organization, Bullock said he hopes the review will result in a strengthening of the ALR and the commission that governs it.
He expects the review will look at the organization, regulations and relationships. He wonders whether there
JUDIE STEEVES
A comprehensive review of the Agricultural Land Reserve tops the list of tasks for Richard Bullock.
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