Councillor is a vocal agricultural advocate

April 10, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
There’s no better advocate for agriculture and the Holland Marsh than King Councillor Avia Eek. She’s known for her widespread use of the “f” word – “farmers!”
The reasons are obvious.
Looking out the windows of her home, the Marsh looms and stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s striking and its importance as southern Ontario’s “breadbasket” is noteworthy.

Eek Farms is smack in the middle of it all. Bill and Avia farm 85 acres of carrots and onions so they’re well versed in the concept of field to the table logistics and economics. They live it.
Local farmers can reap the rewards by Eek’s presence on King council and on various bodies in York region. The political newcomer never had grand aspirations, other than providing a voice.
Since getting cozy in the chair at council, Eek seems to suit the role, like her newfound business attire. She loves meeting a wide range of people and encouraging her constituents to get engaged.
Ward 6 is largely rural and a bit remote in King’s geographic landscape. There are only 1,300 residents in her ward and some living north of Highway 9, aren’t as engaged as they should be. But that’s starting to change.
Avia spent several years promoting the Holland Marsh before she ever considered politics. Being in touch with farmers and taking on the role as advocate appealed to her and she took to it, almost like a duck to water.
She’s had to engage politicians at all levels, since the Marsh is governed by some 20 ministries and 28 pieces of legislation.
She’s been on a learning curve, but that’s not a problem for the independent, hands-on councillor who’s no stranger to rolling up her sleeves to get the job done.
During one of her first council meetings, she remembers the mayor stopping the meeting so residents could discuss the issue with staff in attendance. She was impressed by King’s openness and accommodating nature.
“Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?” Listening to the residents and acting on their concerns is something Eek takes seriously.
And she loves being part of the solution. Looking forward to the next day’s challenge is what gets her up each day with optimism and enthusiasm. Meeting each day at sunrise is nothing new for this active farmer.
Avia’s teenage children and her close circle of friends are among her priorities. She volunteers regularly with the Bradford food bank and even donates locally grown produce to the cause.
When the Schomberg Agricultural Society launched its summer farmers’ market, Eek was one of the first to lend her support and she even helped cut the ceremonial ribbon in 2012.
Her committee work includes representation on the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, the GTA Agricultural Action Committee and York Region’s agricultural advisory committee. She’s on the Township’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and she’s also been recruited to pitch in with this year’s Run or Walk for Southlake hospital.
Avia quickly admits that she’s blessed to have her “fabulous” and supportive husband Bill by her side. While the Keswick native has a bit of farming in her family tree, it wasn’t her first career choice. She worked hard as a teenager, being raised by a single mom who taught her to be assertive and self-sufficient.
It wasn’t until she married Bill that she became an active farmer, and vocal advocate. Her strong work ethic and “just do it” attitude has paid off.
Working on the family farm doesn’t leave a lot of time for recreation, but Avia is an avid reader and gardener who loves dancing and camping. She’s also a proponent of a healthy lifestyle.
While definitely not shy or reserved, there are a few things people may not know about her. She’s an “awesome” tractor driver and is well versed in “guy things.” She’s also a budding TV star, having been in several episodes of the mini-series The Fresh Life, showcasing Holland Marsh farming.
It’s another way of bringing area farmers into the fold.
She’s active locally, as a member of the King Chamber of Commerce and Art Society King. Through her use of social media, emails and the like, Eek wants everyone to get involved.
Ward 6 has it all, she said, with world class research facilities, agricultural operations, a winery and Bray’s Museum. While there’s no development pressure in the specialty crop areas of her ward, Eek wants to tighten up local bylaws a bit to reflect the restrictive policies.
“The Holland Marsh is an intensive, high value vegetable growing area, provincially designated as Specialty Crop Area, where non-agricultural related business must be discouraged,” she stressed.
When she ventures into King’s urban centres, she has to understand the creative ways to accommodate growth. The same old ways are not going to work, she observed, but council can proceed with certain development responsibly. King won’t explode like Maple or Vaughan, but being stagnant isn’t an option either, she pointed out.
What’s needed is more of a mix of housing stock, to allow the younger residents and families to stay here. Attracting jobs and making the best use of prestige employment lands are vital to the mix.
There’s a noticeable change in the mind set of council, its leadership and staff. Residents are engaged and now realize that council does listen.
Eek has seen the passion from residents, too, who appear regularly at council to voice their concerns. “Residents love their community,” she said.
And that’s part of engagement. Avia’s fond of saying “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
And that’s her mission – to see more people becoming engaged and to use their politicians more fully.
Avia prefers to laugh and smile than frown. And she looks for compromise rather than conflict. Her easy-going nature shouldn’t fool you – she’s committed and passionate about everything she does.
She enjoys helping others and she’s a keen student of politics at the provincial and federal levels of government.
“It’s sick how much I enjoy it all,” she laughs.
Now, mid-way into her first council term, she can’t see herself doing anything else.
Avia Eek is not only at the table, but she brought enough food for thought for everyone.