Holland Marsh Farmland under Water, Town Declares State of Emergency
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The weather system that moved in over Father’s Day weekend hit Ontario’s vegetable growing region, flooding 190 acres of farmland in the Holland Marsh, in Bradford, Ontario north of Toronto.
The flooding occurred after a dyke in the area broke for the second time in two-weeks. Water levels are about 5 to 10 feet deep, leaving the once pristine farmers’ fields looking more like lakes. The newly planted crops, onions and carrots are now unsalvageable. Farmers in the area are calling it an indescribable loss.
While the bulk of the flooding surrounds just three farms, damages are estimated to be over $1-million. The town of Gwillimbury has declared a state of emergency and appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for help.
The Holland Marsh comprises of 8,500 hectares of farmland and is ideal for growing vegetable crops such as onions, greens, celery and carrots.