HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-14Agricultural Advisory
Committee of Clarington
Meeting
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Members Present: Don Rickard
Tom Barrie
Ted Watson
Brenda Metcalf
Richard Rekker
John Cartwright
Ben Eastman
Les Caswell
Henry Zekveld
Councillor Zwart Jennifer Knox
Regrets: Eric Bowman
Guests: Petra and Robert Schwirtz
Kristy Kilbourne, Doran Hoge both with Durham Region
Mayor Foster
Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid, Michael Seaman, Planninc
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Adoption of Agenda
019-03 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Richard Rekker
"That the Agenda for February 14th, 2019 be adopted"
Carried
Approval of Minutes
019-04 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Ted Watson
"That the minutes of the January 10, 2019 meeting be approved"
Carried
Services
Delegation: Robert and Petra Schwirtz provided an overview of the results (a year
later) of the trespassing that occurred on the Mink Farm on Barton Road. Robert
distributed a slide presentation from the Ontario Fur Breeders Association, A Year on a
Mink Farm and other background material. The messages that Robert and Petra
emphasized:
oo Protect yourselves by installing good security and cameras
oc Educate yourself about the animal extremist groups and threats
oo Adopt an employee contractor for your workers (distributed)
oo Follow and use your commodity groups Code of Practice
oo Make comments to your local MPPs and OMAFRA about moving farm animal
inspections from OSPCA to OMAFRA
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 14, 2019
oo Lobby the provincial government to review the Animal Care Act
oo With regard to the local municipality they want the politicians to be aware of the
issues, understand the economic impacts not just to the farms but adjacent
businesses
Presentation
Region of Durham — Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Strategy— Kristy and
Doran provided an overview of the progress the task force has made over the past year
and the recommendations they are taking back to the Durham Region Roundtable on
Climate Change. The presentation provided by Kristy was sent to committee members
as a pdf.
Attached to these minutes is the overview and recommended actions. Kristy and Doran
encouraged the members to review with their commodity groups and from their own
perspective. They are looking for additional comments. There is also the need for pilot
project that can be showcased and provide to others as case studies. One of the
questions for the group was what needs to be funded and how can that be
implemented.
The comments from the group included items such as ensuring that maintenance of
infrastructure includes all of the rural areas and that infrastructure in the rural area
should be sized for the future. This included power supply, larger culverts, deeper
ditches, tree trimming. The frequency of maintenance has been an issue and will only
continue to worsen unless investment in reducing the timelines occurs.
Doran and Kristy emphasized that buy -in from the agriculture community means
attending sessions, assisting with education and communication. Committee members
emphasized that economic development has to concentrate on building what is here not
seeking to bring in outside expertise or property purchasers. Farmers are the stewards
of the land and they should be supported through the existing programs such as
Durham Farm Fresh, Farm Connections, Stewardship grants from the CAs, etc.
Business Arising
Zone Clarington open houses in late January and early February where very well
attended. One meeting was cancelled due to weather.
RESCHEDULED OPEN HOUSE
First Draft Comprehensive Zoning By-law
ZONE Clarington is a project to review and replace the municipality's existing zoning by-
laws. The first draft contains updated general provisions and definitions that apply to all of
Clarington and rural zoning regulations.
Monday, March 4, 2019
4:30 to 8:00 pm
Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville
DAAC Appointment: Clarington Council has appointed Tom Barrie, which has to be
ratified by Durham Region Council.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 14, 2019
Council and Committee Reports
Council Items: Faye will circulate to members the comments provided by staff on Bill 66
which were endorsed by Council. While Schedule 10 has been withdrawn by the
Provincial Government (these were the recommended changes to numerous land use
planning acts) other schedules also affect the agricultural community. .
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: The DAAC Tour will be September 12th
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: (Durham Farm Connections) Richard
provided the DRFA report to all by e-mail in advance of the meeting.
The Farm Connections will be at Vipod Arena on April 2, 3, 4. The Agricultural Gala will
be October 24tH
The movie "Before the Plate" will be screened in Uxbridge at the Roxy Theatre on
March 2nd at 3:30 p.m. It can be viewed on line for free during month of Feb.
Clarington Board of Trade: CBOT breakfast with the Region Chair was earlier today.
Agriculture was recognized in his speech as were issues with having the 412 and 418
tolled. He also wants to see the GO Train development proceed and the Pickering
Airport.
The Agricultural Summit will take a different format this year at the TeenyTiny Summit
on April 11th at Orono Arena. More details to follow.
New Business
Accomplishments for 2018 — Chair will appear at the March 11th Planning and
Development Committee to update Council members.
Election of Chair and Vice -Chair — it was determined by consensus that the term of
Chair and Vice -Chair would be for a two year term.
019-05 Moved by Jenni Knox seconded by Richard Rekker
"That Brenda Metcalf be Chair if she is willing to stand"
Carried
019-06 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Ted Watson
""That Eric Bowman be Vice -Chair if he is willing to stand"
Carried
Volunteer Appreciation Nominations— Brenda and Faye to review who has previously
received and nominate up to 5 members to be honoured at the ceremony in April.
MPAC Review of Small-scale on-farm businesses sub -classes— Faye was alerted of this
by a former member of the committee and has investigated. The Minister of Finance in
May 2018 asked MPAC to review small-scale on-farm businesses, industrial and
commercial property classes to ensure they were being assessed properly. Faye
distributed the memo that the municipality has received in this regard.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 14, 2019
Review of ZONE Clarington MDS Regulations Workbook — Amy will be asking the
committee to review the MDS workbook circulated to the Committee in December as
they relate to zoning, this can either be at a future meeting or by a sub -committee. It
will be on the agenda of the next meeting to determine how the committee would like to
proceed.
Mayor Foster — Asked the Committee if some of the proceeds of the Mayor's Golf
Tournament during this term of Council should be dedicated to bursaries for students to
pursue agricultural studies. Committee members commented that the Soil and Crop
scholarships and bursaries which are substantial and endowed have not been applied
for and that there may be other avenues better served. The Mayor is soliciting ideas as
the proceeds of the tournament are determined at the beginning of the Council term. It
was suggested that Farm Connection or the Agricultural Heritage Project might benefit
greatly from some dedicated funds.
Michael Seaman — New Director of Planning Services —Has a familiarity with agriculture
and agri-tourism from his recent positions in addition to the Greenbelt legislation.
Understands agriculture is the number one economic activity in Clarington looking
forward to learning more about the community.
Future Agendas
Health Canada representative to discuss the concerns heard at the July 12, 2018 AACC
meeting regarding the Pest Management Regulatory Agency's re-evaluation of EBDC
as it relates to fruit and vegetables.
Clarington Planning to share details of the agricultural sector evaluation completed as
part of the Clarington Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Update
(completed in September 2018).
John is working on invitation to the Premier.
Faye has been in contact with Tracey Weightman, DRPS about a tour/meeting at the
detachment in Maple Grove.
Aaron Bowman — presentation similar to one provided to Lions Club.
Donald Rickard moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 14, 2019 @ 7:30 pm - Nancy Rutherford and Lisa
Mackenzie will be back with the Durham Agriculture Strategy (next 5 year installment).
April Meeting - Clarington Planning to review the first draft zoning by-law regulations
relating to Environmental Protection and associated buffers and related permissions for
agriculture.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 14, 2019
Durham Region is seeking input on the draft Durham Regional
Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
Farming has always required adaptation to seasonal variability and changing growing
conditions. Farmers are important stewards of the land and play a critical role in climate
resiliency using best farming practices. Climate projections predict that over the coming
decades, the climate in Durham will become warmer, wetter and have larger and more
frequent storms. Some of these impacts are already being felt.
The development of the draft Durham Region Agricultural Sector Climate Change
Adaptation Strategy was initiated in February 2018 and has been led by an Agricultural
Sector Expert Task Force. The draft Durham Region Agricultural Sector Climate
Change Adaptation Strategy is an addition to the Durham Community Climate
Adaptation Plan (DCCAP). To date, over 150 stakeholders, including Durham's area
municipalities, the Provincial Government, academics, the Durham Agricultural Advisory
Committee and the agricultural community, have been engaged through two broad
stakeholder consultation processes.
Anticipated risks to the local agricultural sector because of a warmer, wetter, and wilder
climate were identified by the Agricultural Sector Expert Task Force and enhanced the
first round of stakeholder consultation. These include:
• risks to certain varieties of crops and yields;
• heat -related and other health risks for livestock and farm workers;
• flooding and storm water management;
• invasive species/pests;
• Damage to public infrastructure and farm buildings and structures;
• concerns around electrical outages/capacity; and
• rural emergency alerting and response.
Many of these risks overlap with risks and impacts other sectors are facing. Therefore,
there are opportunities for collaborative adaptation efforts.
The ability of the local agricultural sector to adapt to climate change will rely on:
• A protected and healthy agricultural land base (i.e. amount of land, good quality
soil);
• Resilient public and on-farm infrastructures;
• Education and knowledge (best management practices, community-based
research);
• Communication (information sharing, partnerships, consideration of agriculture
and overlap with the work of other sectors, advocacy on matters beyond local
control); and,
Economic capacity.
The Region aims to support the local agricultural sector adapt to climate change while
recognizing the diversity of agriculture in the Region. The impacts of climate change will
be felt differently across agricultural sectors. Program options outlined in the draft
strategy are flexible and reflective of that diversity.
Durham's draft Agricultural Sector Climate Adaptation Strategy is centered on the
following themes:
• Build community and research capacity;
• Enhance policy support for agriculture and climate change adaptation;
• Increase local education and awareness on agriculture and climate change
adaptation; and,
• Address agricultural sector climate adaptation through cross-sectoral programs
and community partnerships.
The draft strategy recommends sort-term actions to be undertaken by the Region and
partners. Actions address the key theme areas that will assist the Region's agricultural
sector in working toward climate adaptation and enhanced resiliency. These actions
include:
• broad promotion of the Strategy (including a social media component);
• ensuring consideration and integration of the Strategy in the review and ongoing
implementation of various Regional and community plans and initiatives;
• addressing sector overlaps and integration of agricultural considerations in the
on-going work of other DCCAP Working Groups;
• ensuring updates to Regional Climate Projections capture agricultural sector
considerations; working with academic and research institutions to achieve more
research presence in Durham around agriculture and climate change;
• hosting another event on the topic of agricultural sector adaptation;
• developing or encouraging the development of guidelines for climate resilient
agricultural structures; and,
• initiating pilot projects and demonstrations with community partners.
We hope you will take this opportunity to provide us with your valuable feedback
on the draft strategy. Feedback will be incorporated into the final draft Regional
Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation Strategy which will be presented to the
Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change in February 2019 and to Durham
Regional Council for endorsement in March 2019.
Feedback is requested by Thursday. January 31, 2019. Should you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kristy Kilbourne, Senior Planner, at
905-668-7711 ext. 2545 or by e-mail at kristy.kilbourne@durham.ca, or the Expert
Task Force Chair, Don Rickard, at rickards68@roaers.com.
Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone else you feel should be
engaged.
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