21 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | May 2024 brownfield sites, land that is vacant after previously being used for industrial purposes, are preferred. “Crucially, they need that municipal support resolution. They need to pick locations agreeable to the local community,” says Rangooni. This process should involve discussion with the landowner of the proposed site, and the local surrounding community. After municipal support is received, the proponents should continue to work with the community through the review process and project planning. This would include working with local emergency response teams to develop safety strategies, and fire prevention and suppression plans. It would also involve environmental assessments and evaluating the potential for disruptive noise or light. These aspects of the proposal process are also the basis for some of the concerns expressed by farmers near potential BESS sites. Concerns “We are seeing that the majority of concerns are really associated with lack of familiarity,” says Rangooni. “These proposals are typically the first time the idea has been exposed to these regions.” Many farmers have questions about why these projects are proposed for farmland, if they are safe, and what they mean for the future of the agricultural land. Some concerns may be addressed through improved communication from proponents, but other questions may identify limitations in the planning process. The OFA maintains its position that the best use of farmland is growing crops, explains Ethan Wallace, executive member of the OFA. “It’s a use of the land that isn’t farming,” says Wallace about the BESS sites. “The one proposed by my farm in Huron County was a 45-acre site, and that’s land permanently taken out of farming. OFA’s position is that these projects be placed on sites to minimize the impact on agricultural lands.” Janet Harrop, past president of Wellington Federation of Agriculture, says that two BESS sites proposed for Wellington County in Elora and Belwood are in the early stages of development. The sites are anticipated to be 12 to 15 acres each. “Our main concern is that both sites are scheduled to be put on prime agricultural land. Our Class 1 farmland is foundational and finite. Seeing this land not being used to grow food, particularly on prime farmland, is something that we are totally against.” “What we’ve seen from the presentations suggests that once the 10-year contract has come to the end of its use, the sites will be converted back to ag land. We recognize that would be virtually impossible because they’ll be digging down and putting in a concrete base,” says Harrop. Rangooni explains that batteries do have the opportunity to have a smaller Battery Energy Storage Systems Imagine where more profitable cereals could take you. Keep your farm prosperous with our new fungicide. Wish cereals could make a bigger impact on your bottom line? New Sphaerex® fungicide can help you get you there. It provides stronger, longer-lasting efficacy on late-season leaf disease and outstanding control of FHB. Sphaerex also helps preserve your grain’s grade with its best-in-class DON reduction. It all adds up to increased quality, yields and profits. Visit agsolutions.ca/sphaerex and start imagining the possibilities of your most profitable cereal crop ever. Always read and follow label directions. AgSolutions and SPHAEREX are registered trademarks of BASF, used under license by BASF Canada Inc. SPHAEREX fungicide should be used in a preventative disease control program. © 2024 BASF Canada Inc. MAG 3205_SPHAEREX_Print_EAST_BFE-HalfPg_v1.indd 1 2023-12-13 4:12 PM
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