Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-08* Subject to Advisory Committee approval * Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 8, 2026 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Councillor Margaret Zwart, Eric Bowman, Tom Barrie, John Cartwright, Richard Rekker, Brad Found, Lloyd Vandergaast, Jennifer Knox Regrets: Craig Rickard, Mitch Morawetz (DRFA) Staff Present: Sylvia Jennings, David Perkins – Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Arvind Cheniveerappan, Stacey Jibb – Invest Durham 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed everyone to the meeting with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None. 4. Approval of Minutes of December 11, 2025 026-001 Moved by B. Found seconded by E. Bowman That the Minutes of the December 11, 2025 meeting be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations 5a. Review of AACC Terms of Reference – S. Jennings S. Jennings gave a presentation on the AACC’s Scope of Activities, the roles of the Chair, Vice Chair, Council liaison and staff liaison, and general information. Committee members can reach to H. Zekveld if they have questions, ideas or topics for future meetings. S. Jennings is also available to answer questions. H. Zekveld thanked S. Jennings for her presentation. 6. Business Arising from the Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 8, 2026 6a. Review of Work Plan The Committee reviewed the AACC’s 2025/26 Work Plan, including the stated goals of policy development, recommendations and advice, communication, education and outreach, and emerging agricultural issues, and the actions related to each of these goals. Two emerging issues were added to the work plan that the Committee will monitor: high speed rail corridor and developers modifying farmland, such as tree cutting. The Committee noted that the Official Plan Review will be a major project in 2026. Next steps on the Review are expected to start in the spring with research on Growth Management. Urban Area Boundary expansions and employment lands conversions were identified as future topics of interest for the Committee. Committee members discussed the Province’s recent changes to Conservation Authorities. S. Jennings will share a staff report describing the changes and Staff’s comments. 6b. Farm Tour Planning Committee members discussed planning for the 2026 Farm Tour. Potential venues discussed included Gibson’s and Charles Stevens’. Committee members suggested C. Stevens could host and potentially speak about the blueberry industry, On-Farm Diversified Uses, taxation challenges, and farmland trusts. Committee members discussed inviting Martin Straathoff from the Ontario Farmland Trust as well. T. Barrie will contact Charles. Farm tour planning will be a recurring topic at future AACC meetings. 6c. Farm Worker Dwellings and the Ontario Building Code In response to a question regarding the outcome of the motion at the General Government Committee related to the Farm Worker Dwellings and the Ontario Building Code, S. Jennings stated that the planning issue was settled but the outstanding concern is an issue with the building code and enforcement, which the Municipality is seeking be resolved by the Province. 7. Communications None. 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee – T. Barrie Mighty Harvest will be the venue for the February DAAC meeting. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture (DRFA) – M. Morawetz No report. 8c. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update – S. Jibb S. Jibb provided the update. Regarding the Agriculture Related and On-farm Diversified Uses Project in North Durham: • Brock will be looking to finalize their Official Plan and Zoning By Law amendments later this month. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 8, 2026 • Invest Durham will work with Bruce Sargent to create an educational video to share more information around these types of uses. DAAC Chair Zac Cahoon presented to Durham Region’s Community Growth and Economic Development committee this past Tuesday. He highlighted some of the previous accomplishments of the Committee and plans for 2026. There was discussion regarding migrant worker housing, succession planning, and transportation challenges. A livestream of the meeting is available. Durham Farm Fresh and Durham Farm Connections will be offering First Aid Training on February 19th and 20th at the Uxbridge Lawn Bowling Centre. H. Zekveld thanked S. Jibb for her update. 9. New Business 9a. 2025 AACC Annual Update Committee members reviewed and discussed the 2025 AACC Annual Update that will be presented to Council. Durham Farm Fresh Marketing Association, Durham Farm Connections and Durham East 4H were added to the list of organizations that AACC members supported throughout the year. H. Zekveld will present the update to Council at an upcoming PDC or GGC meeting. 10. Adjournment 026-002 Moved by B. Found, Seconded by T. Barrie That the meeting adjourn at 9:16 pm. Carried Next Meeting: February 12, 2026