Farm animals in Bella Coola are at risk of starving to death after recent floods washed away or soaked tonnes of stored winter feed and hay, says Dayna Chapman of the Bella Coola Valley Sustainable Agricultural Society.
Chapman issued an appeal on behalf of the town's farmers, asking for financial support.
"At this point, our community has lost over 270 tonnes of winter feed, along with livestock, fencing, equipment, tools, heritage seeds, heritage fruit trees, corrals and paddocks, barns and shelters, market gardens, pasture, and actual acreage washed down the river," she wrote in a letter distributed to food security listserves and non-profits. "Our community's efforts to support local farmers and increase the resiliency of our agricultural sector, as well as increase our community's ability to feed itself, are in jeopardy."
Chapman said so far she's had responses from an agricultural society in Grand Forks, Stellar Seeds, and the Horse Council of B.C., but "the Ministry of Agriculture has basically said they can't do anything. . . they said they could help pay for disposal of carcasses of any that died in the flood."
Chapman said the town lost about 15 cattle, a flock of sheep and "lots of backyard chickens" along with infrastructure.
But because all the farmers in the valley work off the farm in order to make ends meet, they are ineligible for Provincial Emergency Assistance being offered to residents in the flood zone, said Chapman. According to provincial Disaster Financial Relief guidelines, farm owners must demonstrate the farm is their primary source of income in order to qualify.
"People in our region have always had diversified incomes, and have pieced together a livelihood that allows them to live here," Chapman wrote in the letter. "On farm income is an essential piece, and an important economic generator for our region."
Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee.
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Sask Resident
1 year ago
Community Farm?
Is this farm that Chapman is talking about owned by the town or is it a privately owned farm? The article makes it seem that the community owns the farm (petting zoo?).
At this time of year, the best option would be to convert the remaining animals into meat for the winter and buy new breeding stock in the spring or to move the animals to inland locations with available feed. The worst alternative would be to transport feed to Bella Coola especially since the highway is not fully open.
dayna
1 year ago
Hi Sask Resident- Thank you
Hi Sask Resident-
Thank you so much for your comment.
Just to be clear- there are about 20 small farms that we're trying to support through this crisis, with varying degrees of damage to their properties, infrastructure, equipment, feed, and livestock. Many of them have also had significant damage to their homes and/or other small businesses.
Most are now making decisions about selling or slaughtering livestock. This is complicated by our provincial meat inspection regulations- we've been working hard to get the the amended regulation applied in a way that works for local producers, but only 2 farms have been licensed so far. The nearest licensed abattoir is approximately 5 hours away, up the side of the mountain. There are also horses, wool sheep, etc. that farmers are currently trying to feed.
Worst alternative or not, importing feed is the only viable option for some at this point. Our highway is now open to piloted openings 3X per day, and sources of quality feed have been sourced, for a price!
The feed issue is certainly the one that the majority of farmers have identified as being their most immediately pressing and stressful farm-related concern. Other priorities high on the list include fencing, structures, equipment, and labour.
Thank you again for your comment. If you have more input, it would be appreciated!