It seems there are some people living in this area that expect a farm to be a pastoral paradise where the bleating of sheep, mooing of cattle and the sound of fruit trees growing is all that disturbs the the peace and quiet.
Modern farming didn’t enter into this vision.
I was born on a fruit farm and I remember the dread my parents felt as the cherry crop was ripening and the threat of rain was in the forecast.
A little rain at just the wrong time would cause splits in the cherries and a major loss of income. That was the 1950s and there was not much the farmer could do. Now, there are mechanical steps that can be taken to lessen the loss of their crop.
So if it means the farmer needs to have a helicopter to dry his crop, they have to do what they have to do.
We have heard in the last few months how we should expand our offshore markets, so when it happens, we should be supportive not discouraging.
A farmer here in the the valley has a market for our great Okanagan cherries. This is a plus for all residents in the area for the income and possibilities for others. If that means I might hear a helicopter six to seven times a year, depending on weather, I for one understand and don`t mind.
R. Payne
Vernon
