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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-12 Minutes CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 12TH, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Metcalf Tom Barrie Mary Ann Found John Cartwright Les Caswell Gary Jeffery STAFF: Faye Langmaid, Kevin Jarus REGRETS: Don Rickard, Ted Watson, Mark Bragg Councillor Wendy Partner, Eric Bowman, Jenni Knox GUESTS: Susan Todd, Debbie McKee Demczyk, Don Lovisa - Durham College Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT, Meg Morris, Covanta, Nancy Rutherford, Durham Region Gary welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves.A = Adoption of Agenda I 012-14 Moved by Brenda Metcalf, seconded by John Cartwright . ° "That the Agenda for July 12t1', 2012 be adopted" CARRIED Approval of Minutes :. 012-15 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Tom Barrie . "That the minutes of the June 14`", 2012 meeting be approved. --CARRIED Presentation: Don Lovisa, Susan Todd and Debbie McKee Demczyk from Durham College. WHITBY CAMPUS The Whitby Campus is based on sustainability and green, the third and final phase is a New Centre for Food focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism will open in September 2013. The new Centre for Food will be located at the northwest corner of the campus and is the final element of its three-phase expansion project, which began in 2009. It is a 20 million project and there will be 4.5 acres of agricultural lands, 2 greenhouses, vegetables and fruit and a 70 seat restaurant. Accommodating approximately 900 new students, it will house culinary, hospitality, tourism and agricultural/horticultural programs designed to meet the demand for next-generation workers in sectors critical to our local economy. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 12 th, 2012 In addition, it will feature a full-service green-certified teaching restaurant and lounge which will be open to the public and state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and research and meeting spaces. Phase 3 will complete the circle of sustainability at the Whitby campus, by incorporating better use of energy, water and nutrients into its facility, programs and teaching practices. It will bring students and community members together to watch the foods of Durham Region grow, from the planting of seeds to the serving of food for consumption. FIELD TO FORK! Canadians are creating a new local food order that's changing the way we think about food and what we eat. Convenient, pre-packaged foods are increasingly being replaced with safe, wholesome and natural foods. This desire for fresh, local products is driving a new wave of farmers, food processors, gardeners and businesses to embrace the many ways food production can benefit locavores looking to purchase high-quality, in-season foods. Artisan agriculture experts have the food-quality skills needed to grow and create the homegrown food today's consumers are looking for—from field to fork. Whether you want to be part of the agritourism movement, own a greenhouse or operate a garden centre, you can gain knowledge and polish your skills in preparation for a variety of career options. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Food and Farming describes the creative and innovative concept of local food production benefitting from a large, nearby population. This program will prepare you to take an active role in artisan, urban and/or value-added agriculture, leading to the production of high-quality food products for niche markets. It will also give you the background required for a career with large national brands. This program will enable you to be part of the wave of producers, small processors, commercial gardeners and agri-businesses seeking to promote locally produced food to premium fresh markets and/or niche-processed specialty food outlets. • Disease and pest management • Food processing, sanitation and safety including the niche processing of local foods • Food and agriculture regulations • Food-quality skills from field to fork • Fruit and vegetable production under field, greenhouse, garden and container conditions • Plant propagation • Proficiency in urban agriculture techniques • Soil and plant nutrition APPLIED RESEARCH Projects generally range from $10,000 to $30,000, from a combination of faculty, students and local companies. Small and medium sized companies are most frequently the partners, while municipalities are also partners. The Office of Research Services and Innovation's role is to provide practical solutions for business and industry through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. In partnership with community partners, projects are conducted that model or simulate solutions, develop and test prototypes, adopt new technologies and knowledge, and develop and evaluate new or improved products, processes, or solutions to problems. Students are the primary vehicle for the college's transfer of knowledge to business and industry partners through applied research projects, work placements, and as skilled and knowledgeable graduates. Any background Intellectual Property that you bring into a research project remains completely owned by the individual or company. If Durham College creates new IP jointly with the partner individual or company, an agreement will be negotiated with them to ensure fairness and equity. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 12 th, 2012 THE ASK! The AACC can assist with new programs, development of curriculum, and the College is also looking for field placements, partnerships, in-kind donations of time and materials. Some of the committee members could assist on the advisory committees. Letters of support for program development and other support within the community are also welcome. If the AACC would like a tour of the facilities that can be arranged. The ideas for research areas that the committee has generated will be sent to the College. Meg Morris, Director of Environmental Affairs was also in attendance and will be at the next meeting in August. Nancy Rutherford, Durham Region provided an update on the recent developments in Economic Development. Nancy will be working with the agricultural community to carry on the numerous initiatives that are underway, she appreciates the support of the agricultural community and looks forward to working more closely with them again. Business Arising Volunteer Recognition —Gary presented Mary Ann with her plaque as she was unable to attend the event in May. Thank you Mary Ann for all your efforts. Correspondence and Council Referrals — Council is in recess. Miller Compost have a green bin compost agricultural trial underway in conjunction with OMAFRA, Compost Council of Canada and some local farmers. The trial focus is to collect data over a 5 year period including regular crop rotation and the effects of using various applications of green bin compost. Liaison Reports DAAC — September 12th, noon to 4:30 p.m. Parbro Farms in Scugog. Theme is Innovation and Technology on the Farm. RSVP by Aug 17 to daac @durham.ca DRFA —Working on accreditation and incorporation. The interactive robot is at Mary Ann's, and they have been working with the supplier on training and setting out a policy for the use of the robot. The DRFA are exploring having the talking robot in different public locations such as libraries and lobbies of public buildings. DFRA will be holding a naming contest on the Durham Farm Connections website in the fall (stay tuned). The High School program is well underway where volunteers from the agricultural community attend high schools and discuss the opportunities in the agricultural sector as a career option. Farm Connections planning for next year is well underway by the committee. CBOT — CBOT is moving into the Balmoral, and are looking forward to having more space and being in the downtown location. There will be a "flip the switch" event at Algoma to power up the solar panels that cover the roofs, and tours of the roof top will be available, July 18tH Other Business Wind Farm - Health Canada has announced a study of the effects of wind farms. Kevin provided an overview, and the Study results will be published in 2014. It will examine: 1. Investigate the prevalence of health effects or health indicators among a sample of Canadians exposed to wind turbine noise using both self-reported and objective health measures. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 12 th, 2012 2. Apply statistical modeling in order to derive exposure response relationships for wind turbine noise levels as well as self-reported and objective health measures. 3. Address the uncertainty that currently exists with respect to low frequency noise from wind turbines as a potential contributing factor to adverse community reaction. The study will include a sample of 2000 dwellings randomly selected from those located near 8 to 12 wind turbine installations in Canada, with participants interviewed, given a questionnaire, and some health indicators taken (blood pressure, hair sample for testing cortisol levels as an indicator of stress, and sleep patterns/disturbance). The locations are not being made public. Noise testing (for both mechanical and aerodynamic noise) will also be conducted. Current research design and method will be posted for 30 days for public comment. The location of the 2000 samples taken will not be released until completion of the study. Wild Parsnip— Gary has reported a number of locations to Operations and they have addressed it. There is a patch on 57 from Highway 2 north to Stevens which he has reported to the Region and they have done nothing. There is concern it is goes to seed as it spreads and it is not listed as a noxious weed. Grass Cutting — Roadside grass cutting by local Municipality is progressing, concern for the lack of roadside grass cutting by the Region and especially where Wild Parsnip already exists. Economic Development - It is vitally important that the programs and strategy that were being worked on by Durham Region continue. The commodity groups are looking into all of the various projects and trying to pull together information about the work so that they can ensure that the projects and work continues. There is great concern within the agricultural community that some projects could be dropped, or that less emphasis will be placed on the agricultural sector by the Region. It was reassuring to have Nancy in attendance this evening. Solina Community Hall — Culinary event on September 15th using local products, tickets are available, Eric Bowman is contact person. Future Agendas October meeting—CLOCA about tile drainage John Cartwright moved to adjourn. CARRIED Next Meeting August 23rd, Meg Morris, Director of Environmental Affairs, Coventa Energy Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington July 12 th, 2012