An Important Update from S&L Acres — Our Little Farm and Our Fight to Keep Farming ❤️🐐

First and foremost, Lee and I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our petition and our efforts to keep our goat house and chicken coop in their existing locations. Your kindness, encouragement, and willingness to stand beside us have meant more than words can express.

We wanted to share an important update about what has been happening behind the scenes.

Over the past several months, we have spent countless hours reviewing correspondence, obtaining records through Freedom of Information requests, and working through the Fraser Valley Regional District's enforcement and planning processes.

Some of the information we have uncovered has raised serious questions for us.

One particularly significant discovery concerns an earlier FVRD bylaw enforcement investigation involving our agricultural structures.

Records indicate that in July 2024, following consultation with senior Planning staff, FVRD decided not to pursue enforcement in that matter and formally closed the file. Although subsequent zoning and setback requirements may be considered separately, we believe this earlier decision is an important part of the history that deserves proper consideration and explanation.

We have also continued to face repeated complaints concerning our farming activities, including matters that have previously been investigated, addressed, or resolved. Throughout this process, we have made genuine efforts to cooperate with the relevant authorities, respond to concerns, and maintain responsible farming practices.

Unfortunately, our Development Variance Permit application has presented additional requirements, delays, and significant challenges.

Of particular concern is the proposed relocation of our livestock shelters to an area directly beneath a neighbouring Bigleaf Maple tree that has been identified as a safety concern. We cannot knowingly place our animals, ourselves, or anyone else in an area where there is a foreseeable risk of injury.

Our animals' safety is not something we are willing to compromise.

As a result of the information we have obtained and our experiences throughout this process, we are preparing to request an independent review of certain administrative decisions and communications.

Our purpose is not to publicly criticize individuals or avoid reasonable regulations. We simply believe that decisions affecting our farm should be fair, consistent, transparent, and based on a complete understanding of the circumstances.

S&L Acres is more than a piece of property to us. It is our home, our retirement dream, and a small farm we have worked hard to establish and maintain since 2017. We take enormous pride in caring for our animals, producing quality farm products, and contributing to our local community.

We remain committed to finding a reasonable, safe, and fair resolution that allows us to continue doing what we love.

To everyone who has signed our petition, shared our story, offered encouragement, or simply stopped to ask how we are doing — thank you.

Your support reminds us that our little farm matters, and that we are not facing these challenges alone.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Shar Syer and Lee Magis
S&L Acres — Lake Errock, BC ❤️🐐🌻