FORMERLY THE ROCKY VIEW FIVE VILLAGE WEEKLY
Volume 35, Number 28	OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE MD OF ROCKY VIEW #44	Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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Producers plan for organic berry production
Enrique Massot

Rocky View MD council has redesignated land to allow for the subdivision of a quarter section facilitating the development of an intensive agricultural operation.

Rick and Elise Crittenden, who own 155 acres of farmland, applied to the MD of Rocky View to rezone part of their property to an agricultural designation that allows for the creation of a smaller parcel, one mile north of the Hamlet of Delacour on Highway 791.

The Crittendens said since 1991 they have produced grain, cattle, chickens, hay and export hay on their property. Now, they said, they are hoping to develop a value-added production, to adapt to changing market conditions.

"We have seen prices fall, while expenses have increased," they wrote in a letter to the MD. "We must diversify again…to keep our agricultural land viable."

The change in land-use will allow the couple to create a 40-acre lot, in which they plan to start a horticultural operation focused on growing organic berries for commercial juice production.

"It is going to take three to six years to fully implement it," Rick Crittenden told council.

Planned production would include raspberries, strawberries, saskatoon berries and various vegetables, the Crittendens submitted.

Creating a new parcel would provide collateral for investments needed to start the new operation, including upgrading an irrigation system, purchase of a mechanical berry harvester, and construct a processing and refrigeration building.

Creating a new parcel may, eventually, allow the Crittendens to sell the 115-acre remaining agricultural parcel, municipal planner Rick Michalenko noted.

Michalenko recommended council approve the application because the proposal keeps the agricultural use of the larger parcel and allows for a new and enhanced agricultural operation in the new 40-acre parcel.

Council unanimously supported a motion of area Coun. Earl Solberg to approve the redesignation.