I hope you sign this petition, and also support the following petition: https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-agriculture-province-of-british-columbia-changes-to-the-alr-support-our-farmers-protect-our-land

Food security is a top priority worldwide.  We all count on farmers to provide the food that goes on our tables. No one works harder than farmers do, and they need all the support they can get. Farmers have enough trouble surviving, being at the mercy of the weather and product price fluctuations.  WE NEED TO KEEP 'our' farms running and to encourage future farmers.  Farmers need to be able to diversify and be able to supplement their income. If they can't, and have to eventually stop farming, how does the gov’t/general public think they are going to get food?

Global News ran this paraphrased story about Fantasy Farms Inc. in Chilliwack.  "The farm, which has  educated and entertained children with a Halloween pumpkin patch and haunted house since 1993 says the future of its popular seasonal attractions is at risk due to inflexible Agricultural Land Reserve rules.  They hold both attractions in its mostly steel greenhouses but 2016 changes to ALR rules prevented existing buildings from being used for non-farm events. Instead, farms are now permitted to hold up to ten non-farm events per year – under a tent only.  Moran says a tent is not safe in any type of winds so he and his wife decided to apply to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) with a proposal for Fantasy Farms’ greenhouses to be grandfathered for non-farm use events. “Every single farm in B.C. that does what I do is in jeopardy,” said farm owner Gary Moran.

In a Facebook post Sat. Oct. 5, Petey’s Pumpkin Patch announced this may be the last year for Petey’s Pumpkin Patch and Reapers Haunted Attractions due to the previous government’s changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve as it pertains to agri-tourism and events.

“My thought on this is it’s okay to grow pot, make wine or beer but family fun is just not allowed,” the post stated.

Last month, a Vancouver Island farm was forced to close its restaurant after a long battle with bureaucracy.

In a statement to Global News, B.C.’s agriculture ministry said “government is currently considering whether changes are needed to the old rules to better support producers, while continuing to protect the Agricultural Land Reserve.”A two month public consultation on farming and protecting farmland in B.C. is accepting feedback from residents and stakeholders until Nov. 15.         https://engage.gov.bc.ca/supportingfarmers/?utm_source=sootoday.com&utm_campaign=sootoday.com&utm_medium=referral
Its focus includes how government can best support farmers and ranchers in the ALR to expand and diversify their businesses.

Please support All of OUR farmers and support this petition and also take the time to take part in the public consultation.

I am not a farmer, but I am a concerned consumer.  

Thank you.