HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-11Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Members Present:
Regrets
Staff:
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Eric Bowman
Ted Watson
Brenda Metcalf
John Cartwright
Tom Barrie
Les Caswell
Don Rickard
Henry Zekveld
Councillor Zwart
Jennifer Knox Ben Eastman Richard Rekker
Amy Burke and Faye Langmaid - Planning Services
Guests: Stacey Jibb and Allison Brown, Region of Durham Planning and
Economic Development; Carolyn Puterbough, OMAFRA
Due to COVID 19 restrictions and to ensure social distancing, participation in the
meeting was electronic (using Microsoft Teams) and by conference call.
Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Declarations of pecuniary interest
None.
Adoption of Agenda
020-13 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Les Caswell
That the Agenda for June 11, 2020 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
020-14 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Zwart
That the minutes of the May 14, 2020 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 11, 2020
Presentation
None.
Delegations
None.
Business Arising from Minutes
On -Farm Special Events By-law: Clerks to reach out soon directly to the individuals
who volunteered to participate in a working group for further discussion relating to the
development of the by-law. To learn more about the proposed rules, visit
https://www.clarington.net/en/town-hall/proposed-on-farm-special-events-by-law.asp,
email bylawenforcement(@clarington.net, or contact Duncan Anderson at 905-623-3379
ext. 2110.
Greenbelt Foundation: In follow-up to the May meeting presentation by Kathy
Macpherson of the Greenbelt Foundation, an overview of Greenbelt Fund Grants (2017
— 2019 period) was provided and circulated to Committee members.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
None.
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Meetings have resumed in a virtual
format. DAAC introduced to the Region's review and updating the Long Term Waste
Management Plan. Annual farm tour cancelled. Investigating options for a video farm
tour.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: No updates available.
Durham Farm Connections: Program and event cancellations continue. Celebrate
Agriculture Gala deferred to 2021. Celebrate Agriculture 2020 Awards sponsors
continue to provide support. Nominations now being accepted. Format for awards
ceremony to be determined.
Clarington Board of Trade: Virtual Annual General Meeting scheduled for June 25 at
2:00 pm.
New Business
Agricultural Emergency Contacts Sheet: Developed with input from the Committee,
this contact sheet is managed and used by Clarington Emergency & Fire Services
(EFS) to support response to emergencies that involve livestock. The Committee
considered a request to add blacksmiths and livestock truckers but did not think that
would be necessary for EFS. There are several haulers in the area. Listed handlers,
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 11, 2020
herders and trappers could provide contacts, if needed. Blacksmiths would not typically
be needed as an emergency service. Other identified updates will be provided to
Clarington EFS.
Supporting Local Agriculture — Online Campaign: Clarington Staff are discussing
the development of a new webpage and social media messaging in support of local
farmers as frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff sought feedback
from the Committee on key components that could support the local agricultural sector
from a communications perspective, including helping to link local farmers to the
numerous resources and programs that emerged in response to COVID-19, and helping
to connect the community to locally available food, agri-tourism venues and agri-food
jobs. The Committee commented that promotion of the online resource is of key
importance to ensure value.
Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Online Directory: Clarington
Tourism has developed a Tourism Businesses and Attractions online directory to
support local tourism businesses operating during COVID-19. The Directory is an up-
to-date resource outlining the current status of businesses and attractions. To be listed
for free, visit the Clarington Tourism Businesses and Attractions Directory website and
complete the directory listing form.
CBOT Food at Your Fingertips Initiative: Clarington Board of Trade has launched a
new webpage to provide information and a connection to local restaurants, eateries and
farm gates currently open for business across the Municipality. The Food at Your
Fingertips webpage is found at www.cbot.ca/eat. To list your farm gate sales for free,
email info(@cbot.ca, providing your business name, address, website address, and
current operating format (i.e. curbside, delivery, open).
Financial Impacts of COVID-19: Committee members inquired about the financial
implications of COVID-19 on both Municipal and Regional finances. Committee
members were provided with recent Municipality of Clarington COVID-19 financial
reports, FND-010-20 COVID-19 Cash Flow Analysis and FND-018-20 COVID-19
Financial Support Update and Region of Durham report #2020-F-11 Update on
Financial Implications of Regional Programs and Services Impacted by the COVID-19
Pandemic.
Durham Region Abattoir: Committee members noted that at the June 8th agriculture
sector -focused virtual townhall hosted by MPP David Piccini, a lack of livestock
processing capacity emerged as a primary challenge being faced by farmers in
Northumberland — Peterborough South. Stacey Jibb, Durham Region Economic
Development and Tourism — Agriculture and Rural, informed the Committee of an
abattoir opportunity for Durham Region that is currently being explored with all local
economic development offices including the Clarington Board of Trade. Potential sites
in Clarington or North Durham are in the process of being identified. Updates will be
provided to DAAC and the AACC, as available.
Condition of Regional Roads: A concern was expressed respecting the general
condition of Regional roads within the Municipality, citing the crumbling and washing out
of road shoulders including shoulders that are intended for use as bicycle lanes.
Unstable road shoulders and washed out areas present a hazard and damage risk for
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 11, 2020
farm equipment. Region of Durham Works representatives are scheduled to attend a
Committee meeting this fall (meeting date not yet confirmed). The general concern
raised will be relayed to Regional staff to be addressed as part of future discussions
with the AACC.
Next Meeting
Thursday, July 9, 2020 @ 7:30 pm — Virtual Farmers Markets
Michael Longarini, Bowmanville REKO Network
Dave Kranenburg, Green Circle Food Hub
Future Agendas:
Pat Learmonth, Farms at Work
Philip Lawrence, MP, Northumberland -Peterborough South
Hon. Erin O'Toole, MP, Durham
Region of Durham Works re: 2020 capital projects
Clarington Engineering Services (Building Division) re: National Building Code changes
for farm structures anticipated for 2020 (once the changes have been confirmed)
Brianna Ames of Fairlife (Coca-Cola)
Simon Gill, Durham Region Economic Development & Tourism re: an update on the
Durham Region Agricultural Strategy and Durham Region Broadband Strategy
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 11, 2020