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NEWMARKET, ON/CNW/ - The Friends of the
Greenbelt Foundation and the Holland Marsh Growers Association
today are coming together to celebrate the Greenbelt's
approaching Fifth Anniversary with a new report detailing the
economic value of the Marsh to the province's economy.
"This paper is the first of its kind, and it tells an impressive
story. This tiny piece of land contributes as much as $169
million to the provincial economy per year," said Burkhard
Mausberg, President of the Foundation. "But that's not all we're
celebrating tonight on the Marsh. We're celebrating their
tenacity, their ingenuity and their drive to make the most of
the market opportunity that comes from a deepening desire to eat
locally."
The report prepared for the Foundation by Planscape Inc. and
Regional Analytics, details the variety of crops grown in the
Marsh, ranging from carrots, celery and onions to Asian
vegetables. Vegetable production in the Marsh accounts for as
much as 14% of the total annual vegetable production in Ontario.
Net farm revenue for Marsh growers is 2.8 times higher than the
provincial average.
"We're proud of our place in the Greenbelt and our status as
Ontario's salad bowl," said Alex Makarenko the Chair of the
Holland Marsh Growers Association. "The support we have received
from the Foundation has helped us tell Ontario about the success
and the potential of the Marsh and to serve as a model for
agriculture throughout the Greenbelt and across the province."
The celebration, billed as the "Holland Marsh Hoe Down" takes
place tonight at Waterstone Estates, 17900 Dufferin Street in
Markham. It features local food, drink and entertainment,
including square dancing.
The report is entitled "Holland Marsh: An Agricultural Impact
Study" and its primary author is agricultural researcher
Margaret Walton.
The full paper can be found here:
http://www.greenbelt.ca/holland-marsh-agricultural-impact-study
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