N.S. agriculture structures suffer $3M in winter storm damage: NSFA

Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture says heavy snow fall this year has hit farmers hard.In a news release Tuesday the advocacy group estimated the damage caused to agricultural structures from snow is well over $3 million and counting.Greenhouses, livestock barns, maple sap collecting systems and machine storage buildings have all been damaged. “The extent of the damage to farm structures has been significant this winter,” says Chris van den Heuvel, NSFA president.“Damages aren’t isolated to one region; they are spread across the entire province.”The federation has surveyed farmers for feedback to lobby for government financial support.“Like everyone else, we’ve spent money and time ensuring that the snow is cleared from our farm buildings," says Ralph Ballam from Ballam Farms Ltd. in Shubenacadie. "The repeat storms of snow, wind and rain have made clearing the farm more difficult than usual,” Ballam lost two barns from snow buildup, according to the federation. Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture says heavy snow fall this year has hit farmers hard. In a news release Tuesday the advocacy group estimated the damage caused to agricultural structures from snow is well over $3 million and counting. Greenhouses, livestock barns, maple sap collecting systems and machine storage buildings have all been damaged. “The extent of the damage to farm structures has been significant this winter,” says Chris van den Heuvel, NSFA president. “Damages aren’t isolated to one region; they are spread across the entire province.” The federation has surveyed farmers for feedback to lobby for government financial support. “Like everyone else, we’ve spent money and time ensuring that the snow is cleared from our farm buildings," says Ralph Ballam from Ballam Farms Ltd. in Shubenacadie. "The repeat storms of snow, wind and rain have made clearing the farm more difficult than usual,” Ballam lost two barns from snow buildup, according to the federation.