HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-09Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Members Present:
Regrets:
Staff:
Guests:
Thursday, July 09, 2020
John Cartwright
Ted Watson
Ben Eastman
Eric Bowman
Les Caswell
Don Rickard
Tom Barrie
Councillor Zwart
Jennifer Knox
Richard Rekker
Henry Zekveld
Brenda Metcalf
Amy Burke and Faye Langmaid - Planning Services
Michael Longarini; Dave Kranenburg; Stacey Jibb, Region of
Durham Planning and Economic Development
Due to COVID 19 restrictions and to ensure social distancing, participation in the
meeting was electronic (using Microsoft Teams) and by conference call.
John welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Declarations of pecuniary interest
None.
Adoption of Agenda
020-15 Moved by Richard Rekker, seconded by Ted Watson
That the Agenda for July 9, 2020 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
020-16 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Henry Zekveld
That the minutes of the June 11, 2020 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 9, 2020
Presentation
The Committee was joined by two guests who provided an overview of virtual farmers
market models that they have spearheaded in Clarington this year. These new models
have supported a continued connection between local food producers and local
consumers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Both models have seen success to
date and plan to continue into the foreseeable future. The Committee commended
these young entrepreneurs for their efforts and innovation to evolve the local food
distribution system.
An overview of both farmers markets is below, including benefits realized and present
challenges.
Michael Longarini - Bowmanville REKO Network: REKO (meaning "fair
consumption") is a local food model that began in Europe and has now expanded to
four locations in Canada. REKO-Groups are Facebook-based direct sales of local food
products and locally produced food -based goods from producers to customers. The
Bowmanville REKO network was started by Michael and launched in March 2020.
Vendors post an ad on the Facebook page each week with the products they have
available. Customers place their orders with the vendors via their ads and complete
payment directly with the vendor. Every Thursday, for one hour, vendors and buyers
meet at the Garnet B. Rickard parking lot for the purchased products to be picked up.
There are no on -site sales. All purchases and payment must be done prior to the
scheduled pick-up.
Michael outlined a range of benefits for local farmers. The set-up is simple, low cost,
and requires significantly less of a farmer's time than a traditional farmers market.
Farmers only bring to the pick-up what they have sold, so food waste is reduced. No
tents or signage is required. To date there is no cost to the farmer or consumer to
participate. Michael indicated that overall, REKO-groups have fewer barriers to entry
for small local farms. The goal is for other farmers to adopt and adapt this less costly
pre -order format and grow the availability of farm markets. A foreseeable challenge is
expected insurance requirements, which will add cost to the farmer.
Information on Canada's network of REKO-groups is available at www.rekocanada.ca.
The local group's Facebook page is called the "Bowmanville Reko Network".
Dave Kranenburg - Green Circle Food Hub: Green Circle Food Hub originates and is
run out of the Kendal Hills Farm. Dave shared with the Committee that at the outset of
the COVID pandemic and with the shut down of the food service sector, Kendal Hills
Farm was facing a 95% loss of sales for the year. This online farmer's market model
evolved in response and ensured continued viability.
The Green Circle Food Hub provides a one -stop shop for food producers and food -
based product producers to sell their goods. Each week, vendors estimate what they
can harvest or have prepared for sale and it on the Green Circle Food Hub website.
The products are available for purchase Thursday through Sunday. Consumers can
shop multiple vendors at once, assemble a "shopping cart", and then check out and pay
via the website. Vendors bring all of their products sold to Kendall Hills Farm and
customer orders are assembled for delivery. Delivery is direct to the consumer
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 9, 2020
(contactless) or deliveries can be picked up by consumers at a select number of partner
locations where Kendall Hills Farms has established pick up points.
Benefits to the farmer noted by Dave are similar to the REKO network. Similarly, the
Green Circle Food Hub model caters to small and medium producers and local food -
based artisans with fewer barriers to entry. Dave indicated that performance in the 17
weeks since the Green Circle Hub began has been overwhelming - $617,000 in total
sales; 7,500 total orders, 5,700 food items sold, 850 regular customers; $5,000
contributed to 8 charitable causes that are supported by the initiative. Growth of the
Green Circle Hub is currently challenged by a lack of cold storage space at the farm,
which Kendal Hills Farm is in the process of addressing.
The Green Circle Food Hub virtual farmers market is found at
www.virtualfarmersmarket.ca.
Ben Eastman, committee member provided information to David and Michael about
insurance products that they may find of benefit and address their specific needs.
Delegations
None.
Business Arising from Minutes
On -Farm Special Events By-law: First working group meeting scheduled for July 14,
2020. The meeting will review public comments received on the draft by-law to date
and discuss how on farm events are defined.
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(a�clarington.net, or contact Duncan Anderson at 905-623-3379 ext.
2110.
Supporting Local Agriculture — Online Campaign: Webpage development is
underway and anticipated to be complete in the coming weeks. Notice will be provided
to Committee members once live. Feedback welcomed and encouraged. Comments
can be sent to Amy at aburke@clarington.net.
Durham Region Abattoir Opportunity: Updated provided by Stacey Jibb. Region of
Durham Economic Development and the Clarington Board of Trade continue to
collaborate with the interested investor to identify potential sites. Municipally serviced
lands are required.
Condition of Regional Roads: A motion prepared by Committee members following
the June 11 meeting in response to concerns raised about the condition of Regional
roads and safe use by cyclists, motorists and large farm equipment was brought forward
by Councillor Zwart to Council on July 6, 2020 and carried unanimously. Clarington
Engineering Services is engaging in discussions with Regional Works Staff on the
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 9, 2020
matter. Region of Durham Staff will be asked to address the matter when they attend a
Committee meeting this fall (date to be confirmed).
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
Letter from Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, regarding
Bill 156 — Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, 2020 thanking the
Municipality for the strong written support for the Bill. Bill 156 received Royal assent on
June 18, 2020. The Committee was thanked for their efforts in bringing this matter
forward to Council.
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: No updates available. Alternative plans
for the annual farm tour not yet announced.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Richard provided an update from the
June 23 DRFA meeting in his e-mail to all prior to the meeting. No further questions
from Committee members. Farm and Food Care Ontario 2020 events all likely to be
cancelled, with the potential exception of the Breakfast on the Farm events — release of
program information pending.
Durham Farm Connections: Program and event cancellations continue. Celebrate
Agriculture Gala deferred to 2021; alternative format for Celebrate Agriculture 2020
awards ceremony yet to be announced.
Clarington Board of Trade: Committee member Jennifer Knox re-elected as CBOT
Board President and Kirk Kemp (Algoma Orchards) re-elected as Board Vice -President.
New Business
Municipal Ward Boundary Review: On June 24 the Municipality announced the start
of a comprehensive Ward Boundary Review for Clarington. The Review will identify
effective and equitable electoral ward boundaries for the 2022 municipal election and
beyond. The current wards have been in place since 1996.
A project engagement website is now available at
www.clarington.net/WardBoundaEyReview. An online survey is available until July 31.
Four virtual public information centres are also being hosted in July. Dates and links to
join the meetings online or via conference call are found on the project website.
An interim report on the Review will be presented to Council in September. Further
public consultation will take place this fall. A final report to Council is targeted for
December 2020.
The Committee discussed the importance of Clarington's agricultural sector participating
in the consultation for this project. Staff will confirm the consultation periods and the
comments deadlines with the Project Team. The Review will be placed on the next
meeting agenda for a more fulsome discussion by the Committee.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 9, 2020
COVID-19 Financial Support Programs: As part of a comprehensive COVID-19 relief
package, Clarington Council has approved funding to assist property owners, non-profit
organizations and business owners who have been impacted by COVID-19. Council
approved three separate financial support programs — COVID-19 Property Tax Relief
Program (for business owners that pay residential tax); COVID-19 Community
Improvement Program (for businesses to re -open); and COVID-19 Community Support
(for not for profits). A website has been established to share information about all three
programs, including eligibility criteria and application details, and is found at
https://www.clarington.net/en/town-hall/covid-19-financial-support.asp.
The Community Improvement Program will be developed over the summer for
consideration by Council this fall. A pre -application form is now available
(https://www.clarington.net/en/town-hall/resources/COVID-19-CIP-Grant-Pre-
Application-Form.pdf) and will help shape the development of a Community
Improvement Plan, including grant programs to support COVID-19 physical
improvement projects. Businesses such as farm markets that have made physical
alternations should apply.
Municipal Agriculture Annual Economic Development & Planning Forum: To be
held November 18-19, 2020 and hosted by the Town of Goderich. Format not yet
announced. Forum theme focused on agriculture sector and municipal government
collaboration.
Region of Durham Woodland Conservation By-law: Region Staff have completed a
supplemental review of the Region of Durham Woodland Conservation and
Management By-law as requested by Regional Council in November 2019. A revised
draft by-law has been approved by the Regional Planning and Economic Development
Committee and will seek final ratification by Regional Council July 29, 2020. Regional
Staff Report #2020-P-13 provides an overview of the revisions that have been made to
the previous draft. These primarily serve to clarify definitions, achieving consistency
with provincial definitions such as those in the Greenbelt Plan, and to more clearly
describe both the application of the by-law and exemption from the by-law for
agriculture and normal farm practices. Regional Staff presented the revisions to the
Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee in March. DAAC did not express any
concerns with the revised draft by-law.
High Speed Internet Deployment: Prior to the meeting, Staff circulated the
Municipality's announcement of the partnership established with Rapid Connex to fast -
track the deployment of high-speed internet to underserviced rural areas. The three
municipally owned properties that will be part of the first phase of tower construction are
located in Tyrone, Kendal and Brownsville. Details on the public meeting to occur this
summer will be forwarded to the Committee, once available.
Next Meeting
Thursday, August 20, 2020 @ 7:30 pm, location to be announced, we are looking to
hold this physically distanced at an outdoor facility. Guest to be determined.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 9, 2020
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)
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 July 9, 2020