HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2023-12-07 agenda.pdf-
City of Maple Ridge
AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA – REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Meeting Access Information
Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings are held in a hybrid format. Members of the AAC and the public
are asked to join the meeting remotely using the following access information:
Join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone
https://mapleridge-ca.zoom.us/j/86491604371?pwd=L3VRamFiRitlZnNDd3kwakNEYkw1QT09
Or join the meeting using your phone
Dial: 1-778-907-2071 Meeting ID: 864 9160 4371
1.CALL TO ORDER
1.1. Land Acknowledgement
2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3.ADOPTION OF MINUTES – September 28, 2023
4.DELEGATIONS
4.1. Robert Fullerton
5.NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Speaker Series
5.2. Farewell to Alec and Jeff
6.LIAISON UPDATES
6.1. Staff Liaison
6.2. Council Liaison
7.TASK FORCE UPDATES
7.1. Food Garden Contest
7.2. Agricultural Website
8.QUESTION PERIOD FOR THE PUBLIC
9.ROUNDTABLE
10.ADJOURNMENT
Next Meeting: TBD
Agenda Submission Deadline: TBD
QUESTION PERIOD
Question Period provides the public with the opportunity to ask questions or make comments on subjects that are of
concern to them. Each person will be given 2 minutes to speak.
Up to ten minutes in total is allotted for Question Period.
~ Maple Ridee -
City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
September 28, 2023
The Minutes of the Regular Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting held via Zoom teleconference on
September 28, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Ahmed Yousef Council Liaison
Alec Biln, Chair Member at Large
Bhupinder Johar Member at Large
Jeff Laity Member at Large
Alex Pope Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Margo Malabar Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative (Alt)
Megan Baars Agricultural Fair Board Rep
Conley Keyes B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison, Planner 1
Jeff White Planner 1
ABSENT
Alli Di Giovanni, Vice Chair Member at Large
1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:02 pm
1.1 Land Acknowledgment
A. Biln, Chair, called the meeting to order and provided the land acknowledgment.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2023-AAC-011
It was moved and seconded
That the September 28, 2023 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as
circulated.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2023-AAC-012
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated April 27, 2023 be
adopted as circulated.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. DELEGATIONS – NIL
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 16, 2023
Page 2 of 3
5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Delegation / Presentation Opportunities to AAC
The Committee members discussed ideas for future delegation and presentation opportunities
to learn more about local agricultural businesses and technology. Various topics of interest
were highlighted, including food security, vertical farming, community gardens, cannabis, and
microbrewing. The Committee members noted that representation from the local community,
industry, Metro Vancouver region, and the Province would be beneficial.
5.2. Speaker Series
The Committee members discussed potential topics, venues, and dates for a speaker series
on agriculture for the general public. Topics of discussion included agricultural business
opportunities, related uses on non-agricultural lands (e.g., labs, cannabis, breweries),
greenhouses, and local Indigenous knowledge. Potential venues included Country Fest, the
Farmers Market, and local community centres. The Committee members noted that an optimal
time for the speaker series would be in the new year, sometime between mid-January to mid-
February.
5.3. Agricultural Signage
A. Rieu provided an update on agricultural signage along the local dyke system. The
Committee members discussed ideas for new signs, including historical signs highlighting
what’s been grown in the area.
5.4. Membership Recruitment
A. Rieu provided an update on membership recruitment for the Agricultural Advisory
Committee.
6. LIAISON UPDATES
6.1. Staff Liaison
A. Rieu provided an update on recent planning decisions and development applications related
to agricultural land.
6.2. Council Liaison
Councillor Yousef provided an update on Council matters.
7. TASK FORCE UPDATE
7.1. 2023 Food Garden Contest
A. Rieu provided an overview of the 2023 Food Garden Contest, including the number of
winners and prize amount.
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 16, 2023
Page 3 of 3
R/2023-AAC-013
It was moved and seconded
That the total prize amount for the Food Garden Contest be increased up to $500.
CARRIED
7.2. Webpage Refresh
The Committee members discussed ideas for new content on the Agricultural Advisory
Committee webpage, including contact and background information for Committee members,
local agricultural uses, Food Garden Contest winners, Frequently Asked Questions, and links
leading to additional resources.
8. QUESTION PERIOD FOR THE PUBLIC - NIL
9. ROUNDTABLE
The Committee members provided an update on agricultural news, local projects, and events.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:42 pm
Alec Biln, Chair
/jw