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Home My WebLink About2021-11-11Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, November 11, 2021 Members Present: Eric Bowman Don Rickard Henry Zekveld Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Jennifer Knox Richard Rekker Tom Barrie Councillor Zwart Regrets: Jordan McKay, Ryan Cullen, Ben Eastman Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid, Ryan Windle - Planning & Development Services Guests: Janet Horner, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance Observers: Sheila Hall, Clarington Board of Trade; Stacey Jibb, Planning & Economic Development, Region of Durham 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 of Committee members. Declarations of Interest None Adoption of Agenda 021-022 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by John Cartwright That the Agenda for November 11, 2021 be adopted. Carried Approval of Minutes 021-023 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Tom Barrie That the minutes of the October 14, 2021 meeting be approved. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 11, 2021 Presentation Janet Horner, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance — Event Barn Position Paper (Draft): Janet Horner, Executive Director, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA), provided a PowerPoint Presentation regarding the Draft Event Barn Position Paper. The Draft position paper was circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. Ms. Horner informed the Committee that the position paper has been written with input from the GHFFA, OMAFRA and municipal staff, and has used three existing event barns in the Greater Golden Horseshoe as case studies for the basis of the review. She provided an overview of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing criteria for on - farm diversified uses and the requirements that proponents seeking to develop on -farm wedding and event venues as a secondary use on their farm must fulfill (e.g. land use planning approvals, building permits, development charges, MPAC reassessment, water and septic permits). An overview of the position set out in the paper, which states that "event barns should only be permitted if they can meet all the current government requirements and follow the OMAFRA Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario's Prime Agricultural Areas" was provided. Lastly, Ms. Horner shared a list of recommendations and next steps highlighted in the draft position paper. Ms. Horner advised that the draft Event Barn Position Paper was endorsed by the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance in September 2021 and it was recommended that it be circulated to the Agricultural Advisory Committees for comment. Comments were requested before final consideration by the GHFFA Board on January 21, 2022. Ms. Horner was thanked for her presentation and members thanked the GHFFA for compilation of the paper. The Committee discussed the primary priority of farming in agricultural areas. The On -farm Diversified Use Sub -Committee will meet to discuss the draft position paper and draft Committee comments for the AACC to consider prior to the comment deadline. Delegations None Business Arising from Minutes On -farm Diversified Uses Sub -Committee: The constituency office of Hon. David Piccini, MPP (Northumberland- Peterborough South) has acknowledged receipt of the AACC's invitation to participate in the Sub -Committee meetings and indicated that Minister Piccini is interested to attend, subject to schedule availability. List of potential meeting dates for the Sub -Committee's first meeting prior to year-end will be circulated by Staff. Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals DAAC 2021 Virtual Farm Tour Report: Region of Durham Report #2021-INFO-109, summarizina the results of the 19t" annual Durham Aaricultural Advisory Committee Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 11, 2021 farm tour event, which was held virtually on September 28, 2021, was circulated to all prior to the meeting. Zone Clarington - Notice of Upcoming Staff Report: Letter of notice, dated November 2, 2021, that a Staff Report respecting Zone Clarington will be considered at a Special Planning and Development Committee meeting on November 30, 2021 was circulated to all prior to the meeting. Canadian Mink Breeders Association: The Committee was informed of correspondence from Robert Schwirtz, dated November 11, 2021, regarding a pending decision of the British Columbia Government banning mink farms in the Province. Concerns stated in the letter relate to the basis for the decision made and the precedence that the ban will set for all of livestock agriculture. The letter requests that the correspondence be shared with the agriculture sector. Liaison Reports Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Tom Barrie provided a verbal update from the November 9 DAAC meeting. Durham Region is working on a Succession Planning Workshop, details to follow. 2022 DAAC Workplan and Terms of Reference have been approved. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Richard Rekker provided an update from the DRFA Annual General Meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. DRFA will be administering a local Durham Farmer Wellness Program, soon to be launched. Durham Farm Connections: The 2020 and 2021 Celebrate Agriculture awards were handed out at the virtual gala held on October 28. Congratulations were extended to AACC Member Brenda Metcalf, who was the recipient of the Celebrate Agriculture 2020 Spirit of Agriculture Award. Congratulations were also extended to AACC Member Ryan Cullen, who was the recipient of the 2021 Leadership Award. Durham Region has officially been added to the Barn Quilt Trail, with the majority of the 10 current Durham Region participants being located in Clarington (www.barnguilttrails.ca). DFC Annual General Meeting will be held on November 22. Clarington Board of Trade: CBOT is a partner in a soon to be launched, Durham Region -wide shop where you live campaign. A local Shop Clarington campaign will be done in concert. New Business Clarington Economic Development Strategy: Staff advised the Committee that Clarington has initiated the preparation of an Economic Development Strategy. The Strategy will help the Municipality provide a foundation to link land use planning and economic development, create an economic development toolkit, clarify the roles and responsibilities of Municipal staff and the Clarington Board of Trade, and strengthen relationships within the local community. The Committee was circulated notice of the Economic Development Strategy Survey, open until November 29, prior to the meeting. It is anticipated that a Draft Strategy will be presented to Council in early 2022. Information on the Strategy is found at www.clarington.net/EcDevStrateg . Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 11, 2021 THEE Farmer's Parade of Lights: The parade will return in 2021 using a self -driving format and approximately 20 participating locations across rural Clarington. The parade will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night starting December 1 and running until December 5. Parade map will be published on THEE Farmers Parade of Lights Facebook page. Clarington Heritage Committee Barn Project: The CHC's Barn Project was carried out between 2012 and 2015 and included the publication of a calendar showcasing photographs of local barns. The project is being renewed and the CHC is seeking to visit farms who have not yet participated to take photos and inventory their barns. Interested property owners can contact Sarah Allin, CHC Staff Liaison, at sallin(a)_clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2419. Next Meeting Thursday, December 9, 2021 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual Meeting) Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 11, 2021