The Chatham Voice caught up with Brad Snobelen, president of the Kent Federation of Agriculture recently, and asked the farming veteran half a dozen questions.
Q. How long have you been farming and what is your speciality or main crop?
A. I have been farming since 2001, I started out in livestock (hogs) and have since switched to vegetable and field crops. I farm sweet corn, green peas and soybeans.
Q. What is the greatest challenge facing agriculture in Chatham-Kent?
A. In the crop sector, our biggest challenge is weeds. They are constantly changing. You need to adopt new programs in order to stay ahead.
Municipally, our property taxes are always a concern as well as urban sprawl. Once the farmland is paved over, it’s gone forever. Chatham-Kent has some of the most productive land in Ontario. It needs to be protected.
Q. What is the greatest challenge facing agriculture in Canada and around the world?
A. Urban sprawl, Ontario alone is losing 400 acres a day. Once it’s gone, where are we going to get our food from?
Q. How is technology impacting your operation and do you see it changing the farming industry for the better?
A. Technology has made farming more environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable both on the producer’s side and consumer’s side.
Q. Do you believe in climate change and has weather impacted your farm operation this year?
A. The weather has always been challenging, this year we have been dealing with too much rain. A couple years ago it was too little. The unpredictability is all part of the challenge of farming.
Q. How long have you been the leader of your farming organization?
A. I have been president of the Kent Federation of Agriculture for one year. Before that I served as Vice President/Treasurer for three years.
