Complaints have cropped up over a Lavington farm’s attempts to protect its harvest. But not wanting to hurt agriculture, some Coldstream officials don’t want to bite the hand that feeds them.
Mayor Jim Garlick is pleased to see Coral Beach Farms’ operating two orchards in the district – one which is just starting off Warren Road and another which started up last year off Buchanan Road.
“It’s a renaissance of agriculture,” said Garlick.
Meanwhile the orchard off Buchanan has stirred up several issues. The largest, quite literally, being the towering wind machines which dot the land.
Some resident complaints have been made about “unacceptable noise,” from the windmills, which are used to protect the crops from frost and splitting.
“We only turn them on when it’s critical to protect the crop,” said Gayle Krahn, who manages the Vernon-area orchards for Coral Beach (which owns orchards in Lake Country).
Equipped with thermostats, this year the turbines have been used minimally.
“Last year because of the early year and frosty nights they came on a bit more often,” said Krahn.
No matter the issue, some Coldstream politicians are concerned that they are not equipped to deal with farm complaints due to agricultural protection.
“Pro-actively we should have the ability to have bylaws on agricultural land,” said Coun. Doug Dirk.
“It’s the same with issues we’ve had in the past with manure.”
But others question forcing a heavy hand on agricultural in a farming community.
“I’m really, really leery on going down this path,” said Coun. Peter McClean.
“It’s a knee-jerk reaction.
“Most of the people that live in this community know it’s an agricultural community.”
Coun. Pat Cochrane is also cautious of the approach, while Coun. Richard Enns sees a benefit to being pro-active for when a questionable farm operation does arise.
But he points out: “Clearly Coral Beach is really striving to be a responsible grower.”
Enns did ask Krahn whether quieter mills have been investigated, which she says Coral Beach has looked into but learned they are unsafe and not as efficient.
“We’ve chosen these ones, they are safe and reliable and the best in the market. They are popular amongst fruit growers worldwide,” she said adding that there are 500 wind machines in the Okanagan.
Coral Beach also does not use cannons to scare off birds, but instead has been doing some trial work with lasers.
“It does not disturb the neighbours at all,” said Krahn.
McClean applauds the farm for being conscientious.
“It shows that you are doing it responsibly,” said McClean.
Following neighbourhood concerns last year, Coral Beach also met with MLA Eric Foster’s office and hosted a meeting on the property.
“Ironically, no one showed up,” said Krahn, who sent invites to everyone she had been in contact with.
“We also removed over 110 trees to create more of a buffer between us and neighbours and ensure there wasn’t a spray drift.”