Testing and deadlines for assessments to be completed on a newly purchased property in Wilmot Township meant the Region of Waterloo could not wait for a crop of feed corn to mature and that’s why it was plowed under in July, a new report to regional council says.
The report says 160 acres (nearly 65 hectares) of feed corn was on land purchased by the region as part of an ongoing land assembly effort. The region is working to acquire 770 acres (nearly 312 hectares) in the area of Nafziger Road and Bleams Road for future industrial purposes.
But there was community backlash after a photo circulated on social media showing farm machinery plowing over the crops.
The staff report, going before councillors Wednesday, says the “immature feed corn crop” had to be removed “in order to conduct an archeological assessment as part of the due diligence process.”
The report adds the crop was estimated to be roughly 10-16 weeks from harvest when it was plowed over.
“Due diligence timelines did not allow for a delay to allow the crop to reach full maturity,” the report said.
People opposed to the region’s plans to buy farmland in Wilmot Township for future industrial purposes have been holding demonstrations, like this one in June outside regional headquarters in Kitchener. (Aastha Shetty/CBC)
“The option of delaying the removal of crops was pursued by the region. Unfortunately, due to various requirements of the parties associated with the land assembly process, it was not possible to delay the removal.”
The report does not explain who the “parties associated with the land assembly process” are, noting details like that are “confidential.”
The report also says the region explored various options to use the immature corn, but none were found to be viable.
Moving forward, the report says the region plans to make every possible effort to avoid removing any future crops prematurely and that notification will be provided to council prior to the start of any future due diligence work.
The report also noted the region is still working to acquire more land and “negotiations with landowners are ongoing, with a focus on fair and equitable deals.”
No future crops destroyed
On Aug. 12, regional councillors unanimously voted in favour of a motion to ensure no more unharvested crops will be plowed over on lands purchased by the region in the future.
Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen brought forth the motion, saying the crop destruction violated the region’s strategic plan.
Wilmot Coun. Harvir Sidhu also weighed in on social media, asking the region to apologize.
In a Facebook post, Sidhu said it was disrespectful that the region didn’t tell the township’s council about the action or consult them.
This field in Wilmot Township was previously growing feed corn but the crop was plowed under in July so the region could complete testing at the site. (Karis Mapp/CBC)
Region seeks land
In March, 12 landowners of six farmland properties and six residential properties were told the Region of Waterloo wanted to purchase their land.
The plan has been praised by some local business leaders but criticized by some of the landowners, their supporters and politicians, including Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles.
Two Wilmot Township councillors, including Coun. Sidhu, have also called on the region to be more transparent about their plans.
Back in July, the region said it had purchased nearly a third of the sought land and on-site technical analysis would soon begin.