News Every Saturday will be market day An agreement has been reached between the Association for the Protection of Rural Central Saa- nich and Polo Park Developments for use of the old Saanichton fairgrounds to host Peninsula Country Markets this summer, rep- resentatives of botth organizations told The Review last week. The APRCS country market committee met April 1 and accepted Polo Park’s offer of the southern part of the old fair- grounds site, scheduling markets for every Saturday from 9 a.m. to T° p.m. starting on June 27th and ending in the middle of October. Spencer Lee of Polo Park said the permission was given until the new fairgrounds are ready for the 1993 season and “the new fair- grounds can become an active part of the community.” The country market committee is hiring a manager to look after the week-by-week organization of the market with volunteer assis- tance. That person will be in place by month’s end and his or her - TheReview Wednesday, April 8, 1992 A4 PEACEFUL SCENES like this in Central Seen will ay be preserved if farming is made economically feasible. phone number will be the contact for interest stall holders. “Stall holders will only be able to sell locally-grown produce and locally-made crafts,» APRCS director Andrew Yeoman said. Organizers hope the market will encourage the production and sale of local vegetables and fruit and, by doing so, encourage the produc- live use of our agricultural land, Yeoman said. Farms need sideline business Low-income housing on farms? Vacation cottages in the ALR? Recreational vehicle parks beside the corm rows? Those are some of the startling ideas being considered by the Association for the Protection of Rural Central Saanich’s agricul- tural committee during a series of meetings with local farmers to discuss the economic survival of farming on the Peninsula. “The best way of preserving the farmland is to ensure the farmers can make a reasonable living in return for the hard work they put in,” says John Smith, chairman of the association’s agricultural com- mittee. “We look at the farmers as being the stewards of the land. If we are going to demand that they keep the land, we should realize they should do it on a reasonable economic basis,” he added. Non-farming operations attached to farms are common in Europe, Smith added. For exam- ple, in England, unused barns have been converted to office and stu- dio space, providing a guaranteed rental income to the farm. Smith said any such operations on farms would have to be care- fully planned so the agricultural potential of the property is not damaged. In addition, the business could not be subdivided away from the farm but should help support the farm. Other possibilities are recrea- tional vehicle parks or farm holi- ‘days, with guests staying in mobile homes. Mobile homes could be moved if the land was ever required for farming, Smith said. “The overall aim is to keep the use of the farmland viable for the future,” he added. Given the high cost of farmland, which bears no relation to its productivity, Smith said such side- lines may be the only way to ensure farms survive and that new- comers can start farming. “The income from most farms is very dodgy,” Smith said. And while farmers don’t necessarily want sideline businesses, such businesses may be the only way to keep the farm economically via- ble. The agricultural committee is also promoting local produce, both in local stores and through spon- soring a farmers’ market over the summer. The group has designed a label which will identify local produce in stores. In addition, the Peninsula Coun- try Market, which gives farmers a venue for direct sales of produce, will be held every week this sum- mer. Smith said Polo Park Develop- ments approved use of the old fairground site in Saanichton for the weekly market. He predicts the markets will start near the end of June and will include 40 to 50 stalls each week. In addition to produce, the mar- ket offers an outlet for small, home-based craft and cottage industries. “We want to make it a commun- ity event with food and entertain- ment,” Smith said. Noting that the local Farmers’ Institute dissolved last year, Smith hopes the agricultural committee’s meetings with local farmers will develop into a group involving both farmers and consumers. “If people want to keep the farmland then I think they’ve really got to support the farmers by buying local produce and paying a reasonable price for it,’ Smith said. He invites anyone interested in farming and in the committee's projects to call him at 652-5401. EMERGENCY NUMBER 655-4459 5-10025 GALARAN RD. 655-1313 LOCATION 1 2075Leal MarilynLaite 656-5267 MaiaRitchel 656-2211 Lilian Rogers 386-5208 LOCATION 2 : Sanscha Hall AkikoShewring 656-5693 RodgerGarbutt 655-4154 LOCATION 3 9717 2nd Street Elisabeth Malvet 656-5978 Sidney Janet Remmer. 656-5824 The market should provide an excellent opportunity for local craftspeople and will hopefully encourage the production of coun- try crafts such as painted signs, mail boxes, bird boxes, scarecrows, weather vanes, whirligigs, he said. One Central Saanich resident is already gearing up to produce worms for fishermen and home compost makers. The country market will also provide an outlet for locally-made baked goods and other food sellers who meet CRD regulations. Entertainment will be an important part of the market and the market is intended to be a lively meeting place for residents and tourists. SMILES AND CHUCKLES LAYSCHOOL Est. 1975 10345 Bowerbank Rd., Sidney, B.C. OPEN May 6th, 1992 10 aii. = 1 p.m. TICKETS *INDOOR/ OUTDOOR $4 9.95 AND GYM ACTIVITIES Available at *A FUN, SOCIAL PROGRAM Mangyss FOR 3, 4 & 5 yr. OLDS To Register by Phone CALL 655-7016 Mangoes Does Your Wardrobe Need A Spring Tonic? Then Don’t Miss manger? Ladies Fashion Show & Dinner Mangoes, together _ with shoes from Footsteps, will be in the elegant estaurant to — present the fresh season. APRIL 21st, 1992 6:30 P.M. 9810 Seventh St., Sidney MARINER MALL 655-3316 ~._ surroundings of the . 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