Since purchasing the West Lincoln property in 2001, it’s been a financial struggle for him and his wife, Nicole. Albert’s attempt to set up his own sandblasting company in one of the property’s barns was not as successful as he had originally hoped, after moving to West Lincoln from Hamilton. He does rent out a portion to a neighbouring farmer, who cash crops the land.

Now 60 years old, he just wants to retire on some of his bush land, located at the rear of his farm.

The problem is, he still owes $300,000 on the farm’s mortgage. Historically, farm owners would sever land for residential or even retirement lots. With that option no longer available due to Ontario’s Greenbelt legislation, he cannot afford the farm.

His Twenty Road property was put up for sale in January.

“If we have our land, we should be able to live off it,” he said. “We’re fighting for our livelihood and can’t get a dime back.”

To help offset the cost of the remaining mortgage, Oddi hopes to sever off eight individual single-acre lots along Allen Road, which borders his property. Three residential lots already back onto his property from that road, jutting into his farm land.

“It’s just wasted land,” said Nicole, of the farm land located between the existing residences. “There’s nothing we can do with those lots. They just sit there.”

Three years ago, that wouldn’t have been a problem.

However, updated Greenbelt policies no longer provide those in-fill or severance opportunities for farmers holding prime agricultural land.

The rules changed in 2005 when the Liberal government decided to protect its agricultural lands by removing such opportunities, explained West Lincoln planning director Brian Treble.

“It’s a new concept, meaning people don’t know the rules have changed,” he said.

Oddi has been working the township for two years concerning the rule change. He said he has at least 15 farmers on his side, as well as a developer who is willing to buy any available lots. Each lot could fetch $80,000.

“We’re not asking for much,” he said, of his hope to sever the eight lots. “It’s only because we want to live with dignity. I could pay off the balance of my mortgage and live comfortably.”

“It’s not just us,” Nicole pitched in. “Lots of farmers work their land and just want a severance.”

But provincial policies apply to all provincial residents, said Treble, and any decisions contrary to policy would need appropriate justification.

“If I recommended something against policy, my reputation as a planner would be on the line,” he explained, adding that he could also face a hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board with considerable cost to the township. “The rules are limited, and I just interpret them.”

“The big picture is at the provincial level,” he added. “That would be where things need to change.”

Under the current policy, planning staff are told to direct residential growth toward urban centres – in this case, Smithville.

But Oddi is financially desperate, and he may attempt to sell off the majority of his crop land to a neighbouring farmer, if that means he can stay.

“I’m pushing ahead,” he said. “We’re going to try and get some changes.”