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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-08 Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, January 8 th, 2015 Members Present: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf Tom Barrie Mary Ann Found Les Caswell Eric Bowman Ted Watson Don Rickard Jenni Knox Councillor Partner Regrets : Mark Bragg, Elgin Greenham Staff : Mitch Morawetz Guests : Sheila Hall and Laura Wood from the Clarington Board of Trade Ted welcomed all to the meeting. Adoption of Agenda 015-01 Moved by Mary Ann Found, seconded by Eric Bowman th That the Agenda for January 8, 2015 be adopted. Carried Approval of Minutes 015-02 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Brenda Metcalf, th December 11, 2014 meeting be approved Carried Guests: Sheila Hall and Laura Wood from Clarington Board of Trade Speaking to the Committee on the topic of Clarington Board of Trade memberships for farms and agribusiness. The Board has been discussing what the Clarington Board of Trade can offer to the agricultural community and what the agricultural community has to offer to the Clarington Board of Trade and its members. Currently the Clarington Board of Trade offers business, non-profit and student memberships. What about a farm membership? The Clarington Board of Trade wants to provide programming to satisfy the needs of the agriculture community in Clarington. It is an excellent networking opportunity for farmers. The Clarington Board of Trade wants to tell Cl Don Rickard joined the Clarington Board of Trade after becoming the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington rep to the Clarington Board of Trade. Don is about to become the President of the Clarington Board of Trade. He says that the Clarington Board of Trade membership that he holds offers him good value for the cost of membership. Les Caswell suggested that the Clarington Board of Trade offer farms a trial membership and trial newsletter subscription. Laura Wood discussed member benefits with the Committee and reminded everyone about the upcoming Agricultural Summit to be held at the Canadian Tire Motorsport th Event Centre on March 17. Ted thanked Sheila and Laura for joining us. Business Arising from Minutes The Neonics submission to EBR has been drafted, there was additional discussion and it will be updated to reflect the comments of the committee that it should be science driving the decision making, not emotion. Committee members would like the letter submitted to Ministers of Agriculture and Environment. Ted will ask Council for endorsement of the Committee letter when he presents at General Purpose and Administration Committee. Correspondence and Council Referrals Letter from Granville Anderson to Jeff Leal on Neonics posting to EBR, stressing committee views on scientific basis. Liaison Reports Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee Lake Simcoe Protection Plan There is a different funding framework for the projects related to this Protection Plan (e.g. than Greenbelt or Oak Ridges Moraine), the result is a funding disparity within Durham. Economic Development is assisting in trying to secure a kosher chicken processing plant looking for an existing site/location in Durham. th Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee Tour September 10 No location determined as of yet. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture No report. th Clarington Board of Trade Ag. Summit is March 17, 2015 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Event Centre. Other Business Tour of Colborne site (joint with Clarington Board of Trade) has been delayed until the fall as the kitchen equipment is not scheduled to be installed until this summer. Soil and Crop meeting January 9, 2015. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 8, 2015 Future Agendas Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority Chris Darling on their recent land purchases John Cartwright moved to Adjourn th Next Meeting, February 12, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal Administrative Office - Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 8, 2015