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Explore the transition of Ken and Donna MacLeod's multi-generational farm in PEI, analyze rental potential, woodlot management, challenges with poorly drained land, pertinent farm legislation, and strategies for high sloped lands.
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Preserving and Conserving Agricultural Lands: A P.E.I. Perspective
Welcome to the farm of Ken and Donna MacLeod. • This farm has been in the family for four generations. • The farm is 440 acres • 135 acres of mixed woodlands • 270 acres of potential potato land • 20 acres of poorly drained land • 5 acres of farm buildings • 10 acres of cottage development • The MacLeod’s have decided to stop farming and rent the land as their “RRSP”. • The farm has been well managed for many years but rules and regulations are changing!
Farm Rental Potential • The farm covers some 440 acres of which 270 acres are currently in agricultural production. • The potato land can be rented at $300/ac/yr. • Grain land can be rented for $150/ac/yr • Hay land can be rented for $75/ac/yr • Pasture can be rented for $75/ac/yr
Farm Woodlot • The woodlot covers 135 acres • 90 acres mixed and hardwood forest • Most is mature • 45 acres white spruce • Most is mature to over mature • A stream runs through the mixed wood stand. • The forest buffers an adjacent 10 ac cottage development from pesticide drift, manure smells, noise, and airborne soil. • The hardwood area is part of a Scenic Heritage Road. The McLeods have not signed a protection agreement but they have left the trees standing for now.
Farm Woodlot • The woodlot covers 135 acres • 90 acres mixed and hardwood forest • Most is mature • 45 acres white spruce • Most is mature to over mature • A stream runs through the mixed wood stand. • The forest buffers an adjacent 10 ac cottage development from pesticide drift, manure smells, noise, and airborne soil. • The hardwood area is part of a Scenic Heritage Road. The McLeods have not signed a protection agreement but they have left the trees standing for now. • Here is also potential to develop cottages along this scenic road.
Poorly Drained Farm Land • The poorly drained lands cover some 20 acres • Used for pasture and hay. • Some of it could be drained and converted to row crops. (productivity is low-medium) • This wet land provides habitat for several species of amphibians. • It is a breeding place for mosquitoes • The cost of drainage is $1200/acre.
Poorly Drained Farm Land • The poorly drained lands cover some 20 acres • Used for pasture and hay. • Some of it could be drained and converted to row crops. (productivity is low-medium) • This wet land provides habitat for several species of amphibians. • It is a breeding place for mosquitoes • The cost of drainage is $1200/acre.
Pertinent Farm Legislation • Land Protections Act • Individuals can only own 1,000 acres • Companies can only own 3,000 acres • Agricultural Crop Rotation Act • Cannot row crop lands with 9% or greater slopes without taking conservation measures • Cannot plant a regulated crop (potatoes) on the same piece of land more than once every three years • Environmental Protection Act • Buffers protect waterways from soil runoff and pesticides • Must establish min.15M field buffer along any stream • Buffer raises to 20 m for lands with greater than 5% slope • Must leave a 20M forest buffer along streams and rivers.
High Sloped Lands • Of the farm’s 270 acres of agricultural lands, some are categorized as having slopes of 9% or greater. • some are 12% or greater • This means that the McLeods must implement soil conservation strategies to meet their retirement needs.
High Sloped Lands • Of the farm’s 270 acres of agricultural lands, some are categorized as having slopes of 9% or greater. • some are 12% or greater • This means that the McLeods must implement soil conservation strategies to meet their retirement needs.
Options • Remove land from row crops • Terracing • Creating hedgerows and buffer zones • Using cover crops • Growing alternate crops • Converting farm or forest land to other uses.
Your assignment! • In order to help the MacLeods’ maximize their economic return from the rental of their lands and comply with the new legislation, prepare a Farm Plan which: • Identifies the areas which are affected • Identifies the McLeods land use options for each area • Identifies the type(s) of land use management techniques they should use. • Identifies where these options & techniques should be used.