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Land Shortage No LLAFFing Matter At Victoria's Moss Street Community Market, Mary Alice Johnson and other organic farmers usually sell out in a couple of hours. There just aren't enough organic producers to meet the demand. Part of the problem is that people can't afford the land to farm. So in July, 1994, Mary Alice and several other South Island organic producers set up Linking Land and Future Farmers (LLAFF) to bring would-be organic farmers together with people who have land to farm. The first match was made that fall. By agreement, no cash changes hands. In exchange for the use of their property, the owners get all the fresh fruit and vegetables they can eat, and retain their farm status for tax purposes. In return, the farmer has access to the land and farm equipment seven days a week during daylight hours, and takes care of everything but the lawn and flower beds. The farmer can sell any produce not used by the owner. Since that first match, three other farmer-owner pairs have been brought together, and Mary Alice, who coordinates LLAFF, now has a data base of 25 land owners and 25 land seekers. All that is required of either is a commitment to work together, and keep the land in production without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Victoria residents buy organic produce every Saturday at Moss Street Market, located on the grounds of Sir James Douglas School. Community support for the market was so strong that the City changed a municipal by-law prohibiting such activities on school grounds. This summer (1995), Sir James Douglas School will be upgraded to meet earthquake standards. Space for the market has been integrated into the new design. (See Directory of CED Submissions for contact information about the market.)
For information about LLAFF contact:
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