HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2024-02-22 Minutes.pdf~ Maple Ridee -City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 22, 2024
The Minutes of the Regular Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting held virtually on February 22, 2024,
at 7:00 pm.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Ahmed Yousef, Acting Chair
Megan Baars
Shannon Campbell
Robert Fullerton
Bhupinder Johar
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Emily Davies
Kelly Hills
Adam Rieu
ABSENT
Alli Di Giovanni
Conley Keyes
Michelle Sparrow
OTHER GUESTS
Bahram Rashti
Michelle Baski
1. CALL TO ORDER -7:00 pm
Council Liaison
Agricultural Fair Board
Member at Large
Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Member at Large
Committee Clerk
Committee Clerk
Staff Liaison, Planner 1
Member at Large
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
Member at Large
UP Vertical Farming
City of Pitt Meadows
Councillor Yousef called the meeting to order and provided the land acknowledgment.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2024-AAC-001
It was moved and seconded
That the February 22, 2024, Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved
as circulated.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2024-AAC-002
It was moved and seconded
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 22, 2024
Page 2 of 4
That the minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated December
7, 2023, be adopted as circulated.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. DELEGATIONS
4.1. Bahram Rashti, UP Vertical Farming
B. Rashti, representative from UP Vertical Farming, gave a presentation on UP Vertical
Farming in Pitt Meadows. Topics included: an overview of Up Vertical Farming's
operations, which included automation and energy use; Oppenheimer Group marketing
strategies for their products; supplier information, which included large British Columbia
retailers such as Costco; agricultural land use, which included greenhouses and
warehouses; irrigation, which included water filtration for reuse and harvested rainwater;
lack of subsidies and grant opportunity for modern farmers; and a lack of incentives
available for energy and irrigation systems used by modern growers. Committee
members asked questions and engaged in discussion.
4.2. Michelle Baski, City of Pitt Meadows
M. Baski, representative from the City of Pitt Meadows, gave a presentation on the Pitt
Meadows Agricultural Viability Strategy. Topics included: project team; background
report; public engagement; engagement findings; strategy summary; and an overview of
the synergies between the Maple Ridge Agricultural Plan and the Pitt Meadows
Agricultural Viability Strategy. Committee members asked questions and engaged in
discussion.
5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Welcome/Member Introductions
The Agricultural Advisory Committee members and staff engaged in a roundtable of
introductions.
5.2. Advisory Committee Overview
E. Davies provided a general overview of Committee proceedings and functions.
5.3. Chair and Vice Chair Selection
To appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2024.
R/2024-AAC-003
It was moved and seconded
That Bhupinder Johar be appointed as Chair of the Agricultural Advisory
Committee for 2024.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
R/2024-AAC-004
It was moved and seconded
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 22, 2024
Page 3 of 4
That Alli Di Giovanni be appointed as Vice Chair of the Agricultural Advisory
Committee for 2024.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.4. 2024 Meeting Schedule
To adopt the Agricultural Advisory Committee format and the meeting schedule for 2024
as circulated.
R/2024-AAC-005
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be held in hybrid format.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
R/2024-AAC-006
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting schedule be adopted as follows:
Thursday February 22, 2024, at 7:00 pm;
Thursday April 25, 2024, at 7:00 pm;
Thursday June 27, 2024, at 7:00 pm;
Wednesday October 2, 2024, at 7:00 pm; and
Thursday November 28, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
S.S. 2024 Work Plan Discussion
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A. Rieu provided an overview of the 2024 Agricultural Advisory Committee work plan,
and the ongoing work of the Committee, which included the Food Garden Contest, the
Agricultural website, and the Agricultural Plan. Committee members provided their
recommendations and feedback.
R/2024-AAC-007
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee move forward with the Food Garden
Contest for 2024.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. LIAISON UPDATES
6.1. Staff Liaison
A. Rieu encouraged Committee members to provide potential delegations from their
networks for a variety of speakers this year.
6.2. Council Liaison
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 22, 2024
Page 4 of 4
Councillor A Yousef noted that March would be Agricultural Literacy month, and that
resources would be available at the Fraser Valley Regional Library.
7. TASK FORCE UPDATE
7.1. Food Garden Contest
A Rieu provided an update on the 2023 Food Garden Contest, which had concluded.
7.2. Agricultural Website
A Rieu gave an update on the Agricultural website. S. Campbell expressed an interest in
participation.
8. QUESTION PERIOD FOR THE PUBLIC -NIL
9. ROUNDTABLE -NIL
10. ADJOURNMENT-8:33 pm
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