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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-12Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1 C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Tom Barrie, Richard Rekker, John Cartwright, Brenda Metcalf, Mitch Morawetz (DRFA), Councillor Zwart, Eric Bowman, Craig Rickard, Jennifer Knox Regrets: Jordan McKay, Ryan Cullen Staff Present: Lisa Backus, Jane Wang — Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Allison De Vos — Invest Durham 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited Clarington's Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None 4. Approval of Minutes of November 14, 2024 024-020 Moved by Tom Barrie, Seconded by Brenda Metcalf That the Minutes of the November 14, 2024 meeting, as amended, be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations None. 6. Business Arising from Previous Meeting 6a. Farmer's Parade of Lights E. Bowman and B. Metcalf provided an update on the event. It was scheduled for December 4 but was cancelled due to the weather and emergency services needing to respond to other emergencies. It was rescheduled for December 17, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Enniskillen. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2024 7. Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals 7a. 2025 Meeting Calendar The list of Committee meetings for 2025 was shared. J. Wang advised that a new chair and vice -chair would be elected at the first meeting in 2025. 7b. OFA Issue Spotlight: Railways T. Barrie spoke about the issue. Rail companies are changing their policy such that neighbouring property owners may be financially responsible for maintenance, drainage, or safety upgrades at railway crossings. Some adjacent farmers have already been charged annually for railway expenses. Various conflicts between farmers and railways were discussed. 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee — T. Barrie T. Barrie provided the update. DAAC heard a presentation from the farmer wellness initiative, which is a mental health program. The work plan was reviewed. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture M. Morawetz provided the update. The OFA annual general meeting was held and well attended. Various motions were passed including requesting the Province to add new weeds to the Provincial list of noxious weeds, add slow moving vehicle signage to driver education, and include meat processing as a defined skill by Skilled Trades Ontario. The DRFA successfully applied for funding for an agriculture leadership program and a networking event that will be booked for February 9t" at the Oshawa Generals game. The DRFA will be planning for the upcoming year at their next meeting. 8c. Durham Farm Connections — B. Metcalf B. Metcalf provided the update. The primary student program will be held at the Brooklin Arena the first week of April. The annual general meeting will be January 15, 2025 at the Greenbank United Church. 8d. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update — A. De Vos A. De Vos provided the update. An Agriculture Leadership Program is being developed with the DRFA and DFC. The goal is to enhance leadership skills to improve farm businesses and agriculture -based associations. Sessions will be held between January and April on topics like global agricultural challenges, effective communication, resilient farm businesses, and farm transitions. 9. New Business 9a. New Members for 2025-2028 AACC Term J. Wang noted that Chris Ennis, Brad Found, Henry Zekveld, and Lloyd Vandergaast were appointed to the AACC for the 2025-2028 term at the December 2, 2024 General Government Committee. The appointments will be ratified at the December 16, 2024 Council meeting. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2024 9b. Holiday Celebration Staff handed out thank you letters to members' whose terms are finishing in 2024. A Committee member suggested that activities of the AACC could be highlighted in the "Growing Clarington Together" newsletter that is released by the Planning and Infrastructure Services department. Staff will take this suggestion back. Committee members discussed potential topics for upcoming meetings, including migrant worker housing, issues with roadside trees, how best to communicate with Council, and conservation authority influence on tile drainage systems. 10. Date of Next Meeting January 9, 2025 11. Adjournment 024-021 Moved by Eric Bowman, Seconded by Craig Rickard That the meeting adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 12, 2024