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Home My WebLink About2016-02-11 Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting th Thursday, February 11, 2016 Members Present: Elgin Greenham Brenda Metcalf (7:45) Les Caswell Mary Ann Found Councillor Partner Henry Zekveld (7:40) Tom Barrie (7:45) Eric Bowman Ted Watson (8:00) John Cartwright Jenni Knox (7:45) Don Rickard (7:40) Guests: Tracey Werry, Durham Farm Fresh, Ron Albright, Clarington Engineering Services, Councillor Cooke, Stan Found Staff: Faye Langmaid Eric (Vice-Chair) welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. Adoption of Agenda 016-04 Moved by MaryAnn Found, seconded by John Cartwright th “That the Agenda for February 11, 2016 be adopted” Carried Approval of Minutes 016-05 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Les Caswell th “That the minutes of the January 14, 2016 meeting be approved” Carried Durham Farm Fresh Tracey Werry from Durham Farm Fresh provided an overview of the activities being a collaborative of members that market jointly to sell the cornucopia of different fruits and vegetables grown here in Durham, everything from strawberries and apples, to pumpkins, wine, and Christmas trees. Fruits, vegetables, eggs and meats can be enjoyed from one of the farms or at local farmers’ markets in Durham. Durham Farm Fresh is a non-profit membership organization representing farms, farmers’ markets, and chefs and restaurants located within Durham Region. This includes Brock, Uxbridge, Scugog, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington. Clarington has a large percentage of the members. Durham Farm Fresh has a brochure, website, joint marketing campaigns, and has tourism destination signage for members. Membership is $200/year with between 60 to 65 members plus the opportunity to buy into the signage program. Workshops are provided for members on various topics. Tracey reviewed the work that Durham Farm Fresh has accomplished in 2015 with a grant from the Food Fund on the development of social media, #find your flavor, videos and enhance website features. Additional results from the grant will be released throughout the 2016 season including videos of local farm families, bios on the website and participation in local events. The committee expressed their appreciation for the work that Durham Farm Fresh does and its partnership with the agricultural community, particularly education and public engagement. Road Works Ron Albright provided an overview of the construction that has been completed for Holt Road interchange at the 401 and the new alignment of South Service Road, in 2016 Holt Road is to be reconstructed from Highway 2 to Bloor and then in 2017 Bloor to 401. This work is contingent on Clarington budget approval and also whether the road assumed by the Region. Ron will know more on both of these items soon. Ron provided an overview of the phasing of the 407 construction in Clarington and which local roads will be closed for certain periods to enable the construction to proceed. Some local roads will be permanently cul-de-sacs at the 407 from the north and south such as Leask, Washington, Rundle, Acres and Cole will be connected, Brown. The best way to obtain information on what is occurring is to subscribe to the website 407eastphase2.ca The subscription will provide automatic updates (by e-mail). The contractor has also indicated that is there are certain requirements of the farm community to access specific area during a detour that is could be arranged by notifying the contractor and working with them to accommodate such requirements. Business Arising from Minutes None Correspondence, etc. Neonicotinoid EBR posting (circulated with the agenda and previous submissions) A letter will be drafted and submitted outlining the issues with implementation of the regulations. Emerald Ash Borer Workshop (circulated to committee by e-mail). Dead trees can be reported on line at http://www.clarington.net/en/live-here/trees.asp. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonFebruary 11, 2016 Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, applications are due April 15, 2016 http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/. If any Clarington producers are applying the Committee can provide a letter of support. Liaison Reports Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee – Review of the policies on farm severances for abutting and non-abutting properties. In November 2015 the Regional Planning and Economic Development Committee directed: “That staff prepare a report analyzing the issues and implications of surplus farm dwelling severances, including the current situation, future implications and suggested policy changes”. The Region has been experiencing an increase in the number of surplus farm dwelling severance applications in recent years. DAAC has provided comments on this policy review. Faye advised the she and Mitch Morawetz have met with Regional Planning Staff to discuss the issues from Clarington’s experience and comments received as part of Official Plan review including those from committee. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture –Farm Connections, April 6,7,8 at Vipond Arena. 21 schools have registered. High School program will be at J. Clark Richardson th in Ajax on March 9. Greenbelt Foundation interested in funding education trailer. th Celebrate Agriculture Gala is scheduled for October 27 at Royal Ashburn. Agricultural Road Safety Seminar, February 19th, Pefferlaw contact kim.empringham@gmail.com Food Entrepreneurs: Building Ontario Innovation One Product at a Time, March 3rd & 4th, Georgian College, Barrie contact barb.shopland@georgiancollege.ca Clarington Board of Trade - Agriculture Summit is March 22, the speakers will be announced next week, already have 45 attending, space is limited to about 90. Henry suggested inviting to his Agricultural Leadership program participants and neighbouring municipal politicians. Members were informed that Laura Knox has left Board of Trade and is now Tourism Co-ordinator for Clarington. CBOT looking at holding a discussion with agricultural community on “something that is missing” that would add value to Clarington for the agricultural community. New Business “did you know” - at each meeting that committee members will select an item to circulate to their colleagues (agriculture community contacts) to help spread the word. For this meeting Faye will circulate the accomplishments of Durham Farm Fresh and the website for the 407 east notifications. UOIT – Agricultural Certificate has 8 participants. The course is very interesting and has provided good networking opportunities. Anticipated that it will expand in future years. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonFebruary 11, 2016 4-Plan Review – The mapping for soybean and corn yields show the area between Bowmanville and Newcastle as some of the highest in all of Ontario. Brenda will send a letter with the mapping to Council, MPP, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of municipal Affairs and Housing as a follow-up to the resolution by committee and submissions by Clarington Council on growing the greenbelt by examining agricultural productivity of the lands in the urban separators. Trees for Rural Roads – Reminder to submit applications by March 31. The application is available on the website at http://www.clarington.net/en/live-here/trees.asp (bottom of the page). Future Agendas th Kim Rudd, new MP (for Ward 4 area of Clarington) is looking to attend April 14. Carolyn Puterbough, OMAFRA and Sheila Hall will attend the April meeting about the Economic Database they have access to. Erin O’Toole looking to attend a future meeting. Blackbird (407 contractor) will be invited to the May meeting. John Cartwright moved to Adjourn Next Meeting, March 10th, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal Administrative Office Nancy Rutherford, Durham Economic Development will be attending on the Durham Agriculture Strategy to obtain some input on moving forward with the action plan implementation. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonFebruary 11, 2016