It’s become a not-uncommon occurrence now for couples to take their vows and hold receptions in rustic farm locations. This is not just in Canada, but in many countries.
As such, it has become an important additional source of income for many farm families, especially before and after harvesting time, when there is little to no income from the farm itself.
However, in the west coast province of British Columbia, the Agricultural Land Commission, (ALC) has been cracking down on the practice.
The result is that many farm or barn weddings in the province have had to be cancelled.
In September the ALC sent out a draft policy notice stating that any non-farm income on farm land, must not surpass 50 percent of the income generated from farming. The idea is to restrict “accessory” use of farm land so that land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), remains primarily for food production and not “events”. Additionally, a special exemption permit must be applied for, prior to each and every such event.
Gary Moran operates Fantasy Farms in Chilliwack. It is a farming operation but has also become known as a popular venue for hosting a number of events from music festivals to birthday parties and weddings.
In a story by Randy Shore of Postmedia, Moran says he has had to cancel a number of weddings as he couldn’t negotiate all the red tape, licences and permits required by the city and the ALC.
He says he knows of dozens of other weddings that have had to be cancelled throughout the region and laments the loss of income noting that the farm had no income for most of the year until the crops were sold.
“We saw it as a way to add some summer income, and I was overwhelmed by the demand,” he said. “It promotes agri-tourism and does nothing to the land. I still use 99.9 per cent of my farm for crops.”
Several other B.C. farms also have been cancelling weddings and events like graduation parties.
One farmer told Postmedia that it’s becoming ever harder for farmers to make ends meet, and events were a way to augment income especially in the lean periods.
He said some farmers have decided to give up and sell their farms.
The ALC says events can continue, but that they want to ensure farmland is primarily to be used for food production.
A recommendation that such events have to be approved by the ALC has caused frustration and panic in farming communities, and farms which have been informed such activities can’t be held without an exemption permit from the ALC for each individual event and occasion.
The CBC reported that at least two farms in the Agricultural Land Reserve had been served with “cease and desist” orders, shutting down any events.
B.C.Agricultural Land Commision Discussion Paper
The policy apparently is also designed to prevent large-scale commercial operations from taking unfair advantage by locating “inexpensively in ALR” and undercutting similar venues in commercial zones.
The Ministry of Agriculture in B.C. was taking feedback on the draft policy until the end of November.
Other jurisdictions such as B.C.s neighbour, Alberta, and the central province of Ontario seem to have taken a different tack and encourage agri-tourism.
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