HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-03 Minutes
CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,2009 1-6
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Barrie
Orwin Bandstra
Donald Rickard
Jennifer Knox
Brenda Metcalf
Mary Ann Found
Henk Mulders
Councillor Gord Robinson
Marlene Werry-Durham
REGRETS: Ted Watson
Gary Jeffery
Eric Bowman
ABSENT: Mark Bragg
Ross McMaster
STAFF: Faye
GUEST: Kirk
Kirk welcomed the group.t8/-\.I~oma provided an overview of
the operations and pl~mtlayqwt.The on a tour of the packing
area with Kirk proy.igJp9 comm~ptary questions along the way. The
facility is the onlYi8g~ in Ontari9;it is others in British Columbia, Washington'
State, Argentina anq.i~.hile. T9~J"l1.9j.grity of equipment (20 tractor trailer
loads worth) comes frq'"l1E~~mye.Th~>~ppJ~P. washed, sorted and floated through a
water flu'"l1~.px~t~'"l1andtg~mstored in theolimate controlled area, they are only packed
in bag~,inetting <ort~~ys w8~m they are about to be shipped out. The sorting is by
photggraphic imaginiq~i~ndi$if~r more accurate than hand sorting. The water flume
ensure$that no bruisinghappeq~'iiThe apples stay much fresher being handled and
packageqiq this manner.f,\packaging plant like this in Ontario means that the growers
can makel.lpJo $30,000 ~9re for a 50 acre orchard. Kirk indicated that Ontario is one
of the few provinces tha(qpes not have an incentive program to encourage the replant
of orchards, rath~r th~Xiare paying farmers to remove orchards; New Brunswick,
Quebec and British <?pll.lmbia provide funding for the replant of orchards. Orchards cost
approximately $10,000 an acre to plant and take 3-4 years before they produce, 7-8
years for full production crops. .
Kirk/pro~esses apples from approximately 75 growers in addition to their own 1500
~____ac(es. Th&-a~_are packaged in such a way that they are traceable to the grower and
the grower has to provide their spray records to Kirk. In this manner if there are any
defects or issues the grower, field and plot are known. The facility not only meets
HAACP standards it by far exceeds them because of the quality control required by the
contracts with Walmart and President's Choice. All shipping is done on a just in time
basis and there is no need for the grocery store staff to handle the apples as they are all
pre-packaged in display packs.
Brenda thanked Kirk for a very informative tour and the use of the Boardroom for our
meeting.
Adoption of Aqenda
09-21 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Donald Rickard
"That the Agenda for Sept 3, 2009 be adopted"
"CARRI ED"
Approval of Minutes
09-22
Moved by Jennifer Knox,
Henk Mulders
"That the minutes of the June
be
"CARRI
BUSINESS ARISING FROM
12 loads resolution.
1-25 Battery Egg
2009.
After some
below.
Committee from Council on June 1,
was modified as per resolution
09-23
Moved by Tom
'e, seconded by Orwin Bandstra
'WHEREAS(f;?ntario gg farmers currently provide our community with
fresh locallyp(oduced Grade A eggs which travel from farm to table in 4 to
kgays;
ANDWlfffPREAS Ontario egg farmers take pride in caring for their hens
while offering consumers a variety of egg choice;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOL VED THA T any resolution with respect to the
opposition of battery cage egg production is not supported, and Durham
municipalities are cautioned in supporting or promoting specific products
without adequate background and research on the matter; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED THA T the current procurement practice of
eggs produced by Ontario egg farmers, is identified as an acceptable,
locally sustainable procurement practice; and
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Sept 3, 2009
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VEO THA T the purchase of all Ontario eggs
contributes to the creation of a sustainable environment in which
consumers and farmers benefit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VEO THA T a copy of this resolution be
forwarded to the local area municipalities, the Egg Farmers of Ontario, the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Humane Society
International. "
"CARRIED"
0-14 Homegrown Ontario, also referred to the committ~~9rh>June 1, 2009 by Council.
Marlene Werry provided some background (handout) p.rhR-l6m~Grown. It is intended to ,
be complimentary to Ontario Foodland and would ppfi.hterferew' any local branding
exercise, such as Durham Farm Fresh.
09-24
Moved by Donald Rickard, seconded by Tom Barrie
"That the resolution circulated to Council (0-14) be
"CARRIED"
CORRESPONDENCE
· Letter indicating Sign By-law will be going to GPA on Sept 14.
· Premier's Awards for Agriculture - nomination package received.
· Budget reductions include the reduction of staff resources for Advisory
Committee, as such Sue Hajnik will no longer be attending to take minutes; in
addition Sue has taken on a position in Operations on a temporary basis during
the Director's absence.
REPORTS FRO OTHER COMMITTEES
407 ()8mmittee - NC:)fY1~~ting,tn~ EA has been submitted and comments are due by
Octob€lCj.6th. Staff will b~Rreparip~.iP report for the September 28th GPA meeting based
on previQ1.l9 Municipal comments. A staff report is on the September 14th GPA meeting
agenda reCQmmending di$$olution of the 407 Committee as their mandate has been
fulfilled.
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Hubert Schillings has been elected Chair. Tour is September 1yth.
Durham Federation of Aqriculture
Environmental Farm Plan funding has been all expended in the first round.
October 13th is the Durham AGM. A membership fee increase is being discussed.
Windfarm leases- OFA is warning farmers that if they are approached about a lease
they should carefully review what they are being requested to do and commit to; some
of the companies do not have the necessary approvals required and are merely tying up
rights.
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Sept3,2009
OTHER BUSINESS
Forum and Feast Councillor Robinson handed out flyers from Donna and asked if
any of the members are interested in being speakers, having displays.
October 3rd, Savour Durham Harvest Dinner Knox Farm will be hosting in their new
barn, tickets are available at $50 from Durham Farm Fresh.
Tours by Town Hall Staff. Henk inquired about town hall
2008) which he thought were a good educational
tours are of different areas each year, this year there
Algoma but it has not happened to date.
staff tours (like in
staff members. The
iscussion of a tour at
Greenbelt Council- Dennis Yellowlees was
50 Km/hr- Speed limit signs on rural
Robinson will notify Operations.
been
Councillor
FUTURE AGENDAS
October Meeting- loading on the
speaker) .
November Meeting-
speaker.
Future Meeting-
Council.
Vice-Chair,
also that
be prepared to thank Kirk Kemp and
Hajnik.
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Sept3,2009