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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2014-06-26 minutes.pdf-_) District of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at the Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Councillor Bob Masse Lorraine Bates Candace Gordon Bill Hardy Margaret Daskis, Chair Georgina Rodriguez STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Diana Hall Joanne Georgelin COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS Stephanie James Craig Speirs Chris Zabek Ian Brooks Kimberly Lauzon, Vice-chair Al Kozak GUESTS Sofia Fortin Sandy Blue Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Agricultural Fair Board Community at Large Community at Large Community at Large Agricultural Sector Staff Liaison, Planning Department Committee Clerk Equestrian Agricultural Sector Haney Farmer's Market Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Community at Large Community at Large Agricultural Sector BC Food System Design & Planning Project Strategic Economic Development There being no quorum present, the committee members chose to start with Item 4. 1. Delegations & Presentations 4.1 Sandy Blue -True North Fraser Brand Sandy Blue from the Strategic Economic Development presented the highlights of the True North Fraser brand and how Strategic Economic Development has been working to grow the brand and the results of their efforts. 4.2 Sofia Fortin -KPU's South-West BC Food System Design & Planning Project Sofia Fortin from the KPU, the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, presented an overview of their current project, the Bio Regional Food System Design Plan. The scope of the project includes pre-production, farming, direct Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 1 of4 _J • Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, June 26, 2014 -Regular Meeting Minutes market, supply chain, consumption and waste management of our food system. Please note: Al Kozak entered the meeting at 7:50 pm 2. Call to Order & Introductions 3. R14-018 4. R14-019 5. 6. R14-020 There being a quorum present, Candace Gordon called the meeting to order at 8:05pm. Adoption of the Agenda Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda dated June 26, 2014 be adopted with the following amendment; • Add item 7.8 Blueberry Tour Adoption of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was moved and seconded CARRIED That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 22, 2014 be adopted with the following amendment: • Item 8 roundtable: Ms. Kozak be changed to Mr. Kozak. Current & Unfinished Business 5.1 Appointment of Chair CARRIED Candace Gordon informed committee members that Stephanie James has requested to step down Chair of this committee due to extenuating circumstances, but she will remain a member of the committee. Ms. Gordon called for nominations of the position of Chair. Margaret Daskis was nominated and acclimated as Chair for the Agricultural Advisory Committee. 5.2 Packaging Update -Deferred Budget and Financial Review 6.1 Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Grant Request Diana Hall reviewed the budgeted allocation of funds regarding the Kwantlen Polytechnic University grant request from November 24, 2012 in the amount of $12,000. Motion was moved and seconded That the Agricultural Advisory Committee releases the $12,000 to the Kwantlen Polytechnic University project. CARRIED 7. Sub-committee Reports 7.1 Intersections Wrap-Up Report Diana Hall reported the intersections event went slightly over budget. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page2 of4 Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, June 26, 2014 -Regular Meeting Minutes R14-021 Margaret Daskis reported from the sub-committee that feedback supported this as a valuable event. Suggestions for next year's event include a roving mic, and group presentations which will provide for more tangible outcomes from this event. 7.2 Golden Harvest 7.2.1 Contract Award Candace Gordon reported the contract for Golden Harvest was awarded to Kimberly Lauzon based on her experience with the event. Ms. Hall reported being in contact with the local chef school who are intested in this year's event as well. October 17 is the date for Golden Harvest this year. Committee members agreed sponsorship at Golden Harvest to be a valuable idea, but that general guidelines around sponsorship should be created. 7.2.2 Corporate Sponsorship Committee members discussed the idea of allowing sponsorship at Golden Harvest and agreed this was a valuable idea. It was felt a list of general guidelines around sponsorship should be created. 7.3 True North Fraser 7.4 7.3.1 Haney Farmer's Market Proposal -Deferred 7.3.2 True North Fraser Tour-Deferred Front Yard Food Garden Contest 7.4.1 Status Report Diana Hall reported on receiving 11 entries to date for the Front Yard Food Garden contest and that most entries belonged to children. The entries for this year's contest close June 27, 2014. 7.5 Backyard Chickens 7.5.1 Status Report Diana Hall reported the backyard chicken sub-committee will be attending a future Council meeting to ask Council if they wish the sub-committee to proceed with research on this topic. 7.6 Bike/Farm Tour-Deferred 7. 7 Water Rates -Deferred 7.8 Blueberry Tour Diana Hall circulated an invitation to MC members to attend the Maple Ridge -Pitt Meadows Blueberry Tour. The tour date is July 28, which is an all-day event. Motion was moved and seconded That the Agricultural Advisory Committee receive the above sub-committee reports. CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 3 of4 _J __) Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, June 26, 2014 -Regular Meeting Minutes 8. Correspondence -Nil 9. Roundtable Lorraine Bates explained they are trying to target seniors and teens for attendance at the fair. Recently it was declared at a small conference that teens are definitely interested in growing their own food. Councillor Bob Masse expressed his interest in the KPU presentation and outcome. Al Kozak commented he has seen a shift in farmers market customers who are becoming more interested in growing their own food. Bill Hardy shared his thoughts on a recent Vancouver Sun article on the use of pesticides and how it will play a large role with the nursery growers. Gina Rodriguez shared that the Provincial Ministry recently ruled that legalized marijuana grow operations would not fall under the farm tax status rules. Candace Gordon reported on a recent partnership between the Haney Farmers Market and Golden Ears feast to sponsor a coupon program for seniors and families. This program is also supported through the Ministry of Health. 10. Public Questions and Answers -Nil 11. 12. /jg Next Meeting - Agenda Deadline - Adjournment Thursday, September 25, 2014 Monday, September 10, 2014 9:15pm Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 4 of4