HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-09 Minutes
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9, 2017
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Members Present: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf
Eric Bowman Tom Barrie
Henry Zekveld Ted Watson
Don Rickard Elgin Greenham
Richard Rekker Les Caswell
Regrets: Councillor Partner, Jennifer Knox
Guests: Michael Veneziano and Henry Fung, Turnkey Aquaponics
Staff: Amy Burke, Planning Services
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Adoption of Agenda
017-05 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Don Rickard
“That the Agenda for February 9, 2017 be adopted”
Carried
Approval of Minutes
017-06 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Tom Barrie
“That the minutes of the January 12, 2017 meeting be approved”
Carried
Presentation: Michael Veneziano and Henry Fung, Turnkey Aquaponics (UOIT)
Michael Veneziano and Henry Fung provided an overview of the company, Turnkey
Aquaponics. Turnkey Aquaponics is developing systems and equipment to advance
environmentally controlled agriculture. They are a student led start-up, initiated by
Engineering students of UOIT, incorporated in March 2015 . They are currently located
out of the UOIT Institute of Technology Energy Research Centre.
Aquaponics is an engineered growing system that combines aquaculture and
hydroponic plant production, where the waste produced by the aquatic animals provides
nutrients for plant growth. Turnkey Aquaponics has raised half of the funding needed to
develop a prototype aquaponics system at UOIT. The team is working towards an
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9, 2017
economically viable solution, with a range of potential benefits from water savings as
compared to traditional agriculture, herbicide and pesticide free plant production,
reduced land consumption and reduce risk of harm as a result of climate uncertainty.
Other innovation that the company is working on include s;
LED grow lights that offer an optimized spectrum for plant growth; and
Combined heat and power system to support more efficient greenhouse
operations through all seasons by off -setting electricity needs and consuming
waste heat and organic material.
Business Arising
Bill C-274 An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (transfer of small business or family
farm or fishing corporation):
Communication item from Township of Brock referred from Council January 16, 2017.
This involved income tax implications (capital gains) for selling of business to another
family member or individual (stranger) and support for a Private Member’s Bill that
would make the playing f ield level for sales to family members. Defeated as of
February 8, 2017.
Norfolk County Community Improvement Plan (CIP):
Program information (distributed with agenda) provides an example of a business
incentive program that offers support to the agricultural sector. A suite of financial
incentives have been developed to stimulate investment in all areas of the County. This
includes an Agricultural Buildings and Facilities Improvement Program.
Amy will send information to the Committee regarding the current annual budget
allocation for each of the Municipality’s existing CIPs, the portion of the tax levy that
grant funding is drawn from, a Staff contact for Norfolk County’s CIP, and the program’s
origin (i.e. municipally or publicly initiated).
Agricultural Legacy Project:
Brenda circulated copies of the Durham Region Farm Families form. Amy will send an
electronic copy for the Committee to circulate to others who may be interested.
Council Recognition of Mary Ann Found:
Recognition ceremony rescheduled to the February 27 meeting of Council. The
meeting will be at Council Chambers, Municipal Administrative Centre in Bowmanville
beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Correspondence and Committee Reports
There were no Council items or referrals.
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee:
No report. February meeting conflicted with the Agricultural Advisory Committee
of Clarington meeting.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 9, 2017
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture:
Presentation by Andrew Munroe of RBC Wealth Management proposing to
initiate a Durham Agricultural Development Fund, the interest from which would
support a variety of agricultural interests. DRFA assessing feasibility of creating a
charitable affiliate.
Agricultural course at UOIT cancelled due to lack of registration.
Confirmed DRFA representative Richard Rekker to the Agricultural Advisory
Committee of Clarington.
“Celebrate Agriculture” at Scugog Community Centre April 4 – 6.
Clarington Board of Trade:
4th Annual Agricultural Summit will be March 24 at Newcastle Community Hall
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
CBOT Annual General Meeting will be April 19 at Clarington Beech Centre from
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Board composition review will be undertaken to ensure fair representation of the
community.
Community Services Department Ontario150 Grant Application:
Correspondence from Erica Mittag, Community Services Department was shared,
thanking the Committee for their support of the Municipality’s “Tech to Table” application
to Ontario150 Community Celebration Program. The Municipality’s application did not
receive approval for grant funding.
New Business
Brenda shared the current list of Ontario Farmland Trust Forever Outreach Meetings.
The next Durham, Peterborough, Northumberland meeting will be on February 23 at the
Fraserville Lions Community Centre from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meeting
information and list of other meetings is available at https://ontariofarmlandtrust.ca/get-
involved/volunteering/farmland-forever-stewardship-groups/.
Future Agendas
Amy Burke and Tracey Webster from Planning Services will be presenting in March with
regard to the update to the zoning by-laws for the rural area.
Richard Rekker’s will outline their new construction and operations at the April meeting.
Blackbird Constructors and Ministry of Transportation attending in May.
John has invited a number of different politicians to come and speak, most have not
responded, others have declined John’s invitation.
Eric Bowman moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting, Thursday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal Administrative
Office
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