HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2021-06-24 minutes.pdf City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee,
held via Zoom teleconference on June 24, 2021 at 7:00 pm
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson Council Liaison
Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large
Carla Schiller, Vice Chair Member at Large
Pascale Shaw Member at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
Conley Keyes B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
Melissa Maltais Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison, Planner 1
Sabina Chand Committee Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Shannon Lambie Agriculture Land Commission (Non-voting member)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2021-012
It was moved and seconded
That the agenda for the June 24, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be approved as
circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2021-013
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the May 27, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be adopted as
circulated.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS
4.1 Empowering Farmers with DirectFood Store
Colin Schmidt, SR VP, Product Development, DirectFood Store
C. Schmidt provided an introductory presentation on DirectFood Store’s business model which
provides opportunities for farmers to sell their products to consumers online. Discussion
followed on e-grocery growth, local food, delivery and COVID-19 business environment. The Chair
opened the floor for questions and comments and thanked C. Schmidt for the presentation.
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
June 24, 2021
Page 2 of 2
Note: C. Schmidt left at 7:35 pm
5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 AAC Educational Opportunities
The Staff Liaison provided an update on the educational speaker series topics related to
agriculture such as pollinators in an urban setting and backyard composting. It was noted that
the first speaker series is scheduled for early July.
6. LIAISON UPDATES
6.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison provided a brief update on the following items:
• Committee update presentation to Council in the fall
• Farm vehicle update – educational information will be posted on the City’s webpage
• COVID-19 City protocols
6.2 Council Liaison - NIL
7. TASK FORCE UPDATES
7.1 2021 Food and Garden Contest
The Staff Liaison reported approximate sixty contest entries were received and the Task Force
will be meeting to review submissions and announce winners shortly.
8. QUESTION PERIOD FOR THE PUBLIC – NIL
9. ROUNDTABLE
The Chair informed that A. Poszar resigned from the membership and acknowledged his work
on the Committee. Melissa Maltais advised that a new Executive Director, Fraser North Farmers
Market Society representative will be joining the Committee as of July 1, 2021.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee will be held on
Wednesday, September 30, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Bill Hardy, Chair
/sc