HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-10Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Members Present: Eric Bowman Don Rickard Henry Zekveld
Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Jennifer Knox
Tom Barrie Jordan McKay Ryan Cullen
Councillor Zwart
Regrets: Ben Eastman
Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid - Planning & Development Services
Guests: Tracey Webster, Planning & Development Services; Brandon
Hebor, Boreal Greens Co.; Heide Kraus
Observers: Sarah Parish, Planning & Development Services; 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 of Committee members.
Declarations of Interest
None
Adoption of Agenda
022-006 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Tom Barrie
That the Agenda for February 10, 2022 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
022-007 Moved by Henry Zekveld, seconded by Brenda Metcalf
That the minutes of the January 13, 2022 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 10, 2022
Presentation
Vertical Farming: Brandon Hebor, Founder and CEO of Boreal Greens Co., presented
an overview of the vertical farming. Brandon explained that vertical farming is the
integration and use of multi -layered or `tower' equipment to cultivate plants in high
densities using either hydroponic or aquaponic approaches. It can range in scale from
tabletop gardens to converted shipping containers to an industrial scale. Highlights of
the presentation included:
• Brandon's journey into vertical farming and urban agriculture;
• Food and agricultural awareness and education opportunities that vertical
farming can provide;
• Fundamentals of vertical farming operations (infrastructure, environment,
equipment);
• Common products grown and emerging research and technology to diversify the
industry; and
• Key considerations (finance, planning, market, design, regulatory).
Brandon explained that vertical farming is not unlike greenhouse operations in terms of
susceptibility to disease/pest and the importance of disease/pest management.
Brandon also advised that this emerging field of agriculture is experiencing uptake in
Ontario and nationally. OMAFRA has dedicated efforts to build the industry, supporting
education and data aggregation efforts. Funding support for the industry typically stems
from agri-innovation, agri-research and development, agri-business opportunities.
Zone Clarington Second Draft Zoning By-law: Amy Burke and Tracey Webster,
Planning and Development Services, presented an update on the Municipality's
comprehensive zoning by-law review project. Staff reviewed current status of the
project, including the introduction of a proposed second draft zoning by-law to Council it
November 2021, the resulting direction of Council, and initial next steps for public
consultation. Staff also provided a focused outline of agricultural and agriculture -related
zoning proposed in the second draft zoning by-law:
• Terms and definitions;
• Minimum Distance Separation;
• Agricultural Zone Category permitted uses; and
• Updated provisions relating to farm related commercial and industrial
establishments, home industries and home businesses, farm worker
accommodations, and shipping/cargo containers.
Additional agriculture -related considerations identified by the project team were
reviewed with the Committee; these related to farm worker accommodations, private
airfields, farm product sales and farm related commercial uses. The Committee was
invited to provide feedback on the second draft zoning by-law and topics identified for
further review.
Delegations
Heide Kraus regarding On -Farm Diversified Uses: Heide Kraus indicated her
concern that the storage of recreational vehicles is being overlooked, in her opinion,
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 10, 2022
during discussions of on -farm diversified uses. Ms. Kraus provided a presentation
reviewing Council direction in response to the Recreation Vehicle and Trailer Storage
Study (Resolution #PD-207-21) and recommendation 3 from the RV and Trailer Parking
and Storage Study Final Report (D.M. Wills, June 2021). Ms. Kraus also reviewed
components of the Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario's Prime Agricultural Areas
(OMAFRA, 2016) Ms. Kraus expressed the concern that while the Municipality has
recognized the broader Provincial definition of OFDU, it has limited OFDUs to those
directly related to the farm operation based on the current policy direction of the Durham
Region Official Plan. The delegation raised concern about a perceived lack of
conformity with Provincial direction, which she hopes the AACC's OFDU Sub -committee
will address.
Business Arisina from Minutes
AACC 2021 Accomplishments Update: AACC Chair, Eric Bowman, presented the
2021 annual update to the Municipality's Planning and Development Committee on
January 17, 2022. Eric provided an overview of the Committee's 2021 activities and
accomplishments. Committee extended gratitude to the Committee for their time and
efforts and invited AACC input on how Council can provide help to ensure the efficient
and safe arrival of Temporary Foreign Workers for the upcoming season. The
presentation was received with thanks.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
DAAC 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Work Plan (#2022-P-2): A copy of the Durham
Agricultural Advisory Committee's 2021 Annual Report and 2022 Work Plan was
circulated to all prior to the meeting.
National Farmers Union — Proposed Anaerobic Digestion Facility: A copy of the
National Farmers Union — Ontario letter, dated February 7, 2022, was circulated to all
prior to the meeting.
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Planning is underway for the 2022 Annual
Farm Tour. This year's event is seeking to return to an in -person format, subject to
public health guidelines and restrictions. The next DAAC meeting is scheduled for
March 8, 2022.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: None. DRFA is in the process of
determining their new DRFA representative to the AACC.
Durham Farm Connections: Barn Quilt Trail project in Durham Region is on -going. To
learn more about the project and/or to participate, email
info@durhamfarmconnections.ca. Planning is set to begin for the 2022 Celebrate
Agriculture Gala. This year's Gala is seeking to return to an in -person format, subject to
public health guidelines and restrictions.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 10, 2022
Clarington Board of Trade: Staff shared an update provided by CBOT. The first round
of the Shop Where you Live campaign was a great success. CBOT, in partnership with
the Durham Boards/Chambers, are looking at ways to continue with this promotion.
CBOT's COVID rapid antigen rapid test kit program continues. To date, CBOT has
distributed approximately 60,000 tests to over 500 businesses. A recent shipment of
20,000 test kits has been used to fill outstanding orders, while another 20,000 test kits
will be on -hand soon. To participate in the program, place orders at
www.cbot.ca/rapidscreening.
On -Farm Diversified Uses (OFDUs) Sub -Committee: None. The next OFDU Sub -
Committee meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2022.
New Business
Durham Region Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Workshops: Staff
shared a list of upcoming agriculture sector webinars and video series provided by
Durham Region. Contact Stacey Jibb, Manager — Agriculture and Rural Economic
Development, Region of Durham, for more information (Stacey.jibb@durham.ca; 905-
668-7711).
Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame: Eric Bowman shared this week's announcement of
the 2022 inductees to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. The inductees include
James Rickard of Clarington. Eric extended congratulations to James, to his brother
and AACC member, Don Rickard, and the Rickard family for this outstanding
achievement and the significant contributions James has made to agriculture, locally
and beyond.
John Cartwright moved to adjourn.
Next Meeting
Thursday, March 10, 2022 @ 7:30 pm (Virtual Meeting)
Karen Yellowlees, Durham Region Federation of Agriculture to introduce the Farmer
Wellness Program
Stacey Jibb and Allison Brown, Region of Durham Agriculture and Rural Economic
Development with an update on the Durham Agri -Food Action Plan
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington February 10, 2022