HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-08 Minutes
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8th, 2016
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, December 8th, 2016
Members Present: Elgin Greenham Brenda Metcalf
Les Caswell Jennifer Knox
Eric Bowman Tom Barrie
Henry Zekveld, Ted Watson
Don Rickard
Regrets: Councillor Partner, John Cartwright, MaryAnn Found
Guests: Marlene Werry, Durham College Instructor
Matthew Stergios, Assistant to Kim Rudd
Staff: Faye Langmaid, Planning Services
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Adoption of Agenda
016-28 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Ted Watson
“That the Agenda for December 8th 2016 be adopted”
Carried
Approval of Minutes
016-29 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Les Caswell,
“That the minutes of the November 10th, 2016 meeting be approved”
Carried
Presentation: Marlene Werry, Instructor Durham College Programs for
Agriculture, Field to Fork
Marlene provided an overview of the two year program at Durham College. The focus
is field to fork, emphasizing the full circle of rearing crops (currently there is no livestock
involved) to what the culinary world is looking for. There will be on average about 10
graduates per year. Many of the students are from urban areas and looking at market
gardening and how to make a living from small acreages. Marlene provided in a listing
of the courses being taught and also the research resources at the college.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8th, 2016
The follow-up from Marlene’s presentation will be a meeting with researchers at Durham
College to discuss what the agricultural community is looking for and how they could
possibly assist. The same type of presentation/discussion has happened with UOIT.
Matthew Stergios, Assistant to Kim Rudd, thanked the group for the invite and is happy
to attend and hear presentation. Will convey to Kim the good work the committee is
doing and Kim when available, will attend a future meeting. Also if there are items that
committee feels Kim should be made aware of or that she can assist with, please be in
contact. One of the areas mentioned that would assist farmers is having Broadband
Service available.
Business Arising
Farmer’s Parade of Lights, The parade has been happening for 17 years, it was started
as a way for the farmer’s to thank the residents that support them. It has grown and has
a large following from well beyond Durham. This year the route was altered to provide
for better safety for participants and audience. There were 20 floats and estimated
attendance of 20 000 to 35,000, (very hard to count as all the participants see is cars
and lots of people lining the route). All the participants are very happy with the new
route, there were some minor issues that will be addressed as part of the debrief with
representatives of Region, Police and Clarington. There is a substantial following of the
parade on social media and many requests for where to eat in the area, etc. The
tourism draw of the parade is very large.
Committee Member Appointments: Clerks received applications for 4 year term (ending
in 2020), all members whose terms were expiring have reapplied. Waiting for a DRFA
appointment/alternate, Council deferred voting on item until January 3. Once
appointments have been made we will have committee position elections for chair and
vice-chair.
Mary Ann Found was recognized for her dedicated service over the past 10 years. Not
only for representing the DRFA on this committee but also for your dedication to Farm
Connections and the good work that group has been doing over the years to help
educate students and raise the profile of agriculture in the community.
Correspondence and Committee Reports
2016 Livestock Tax Deferral (mailed out) Durham has been included in the areas
declared for the capital gains tax deferral because of the drought. This would come into
play if a farmer sold cattle because of the drought and is holding the funds to
repurchase cattle in the future.
Agriculture and Social Media – Event on December 5th, moved from CBOT Boardroom
to Library because of the number of attendees, very well received by the participants.
Bunkhouse Fire Safety –There is a session, led by Fire Prevention on Thursday,
December 15th from 9-11 at Newcastle Rec Centre on Ruddel on fire code requirements
for bunkhouses, inspections for equipment in residential space, fire hazards and ways
to promote safety.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8th, 2016
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee – had a presentation from Brian Kelly on
climate change mitigation, greenhouse gas and targets for reduction across the Region.
The Region is looking for how other industries can be involved to assist in meeting the
targets.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture – No report.
Clarington Board of Trade –Council has renewed the contract with Municipality for
economic development by CBOT, CBOT will be looking at hiring an additional staff
member, AACC will be interested to see expanded services for agricultural community
and promotion for agricultural products, etc. No date set for Agriculture Summit but it is
being worked on.
New Business
Schedule for 2017 (distributed with agenda)
“did you know” – Faye will send pdf of the Durham College presentation.
Soil and Crop – Andrew Campbell with be the speaker on January 13th.
Future Agendas
Marilyn Pearce about the Agriculture Legacy Project will attend in January.
Michael Veneziano, CEO & Co-Founder, Turnkey Aquaponics Inc. will attend in
February.
Blackbird and MTO attending in May.
John has invited Jeff Leal, he is awaiting a response.
Suggested that Rekker’s attend to outline their new construction and operations.
Eric Bowman moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting, Thursday, January 12th, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal
Administrative Office
I:\^Department\LDO NEW FILING SYSTEM\Committees\Agricultural Committee\2016 Minutes & Correspondence\Draft Minutes_
Meeting_8 Dec 16.docx