Leonard Leskiw summarizes the past history of the debate over agricultural land in the NE corner of Edmonton. He then describes the unique soils and microclimate in NE Edmonton that makes these lands suitable for intensive horticultural production. There is no equivalent intensive horticultural cropping area in the central Alberta region. He covers the economic opportunities for horticultural crops at Farmers Markets in the Edmonton region. The greenhouse, seed potato and horticultural operations in NE Edmonton are capital intensive operations. Without the commitment of the City of Edmonton to maintain this as agricultural land, the investments to keep these operations competitive won't be made. 3900 hectares of highly productive horticultural land versus more urban development (houses, malls)? Fragmented agricultural land does not stay agricultural. Leonard Leskiw finishes showing the maps of planned development for NE Edmonton.
His essential question: Are we as agrologists Protecting the Public or are we watching? What is the role of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists?
Leonard Leskiw is President and Senior Soil Scientist of Paragon Soil and Environmental Consulting Inc. His presentation was part of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists' Banff Conference, March 26-28, 2013.
