District of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the, held in the Blaney Room, at the Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Lorraine Bates Margaret Daskis Bill Hardy Al Kozak Craig Speirs Kimberly Lauzon, Vice-chair Councillor Bob Masse Georgina Rodriguez Stephanie James, Chair Candace Gordon Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Ian Brooks STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Diana Hall Joanne Georgelin COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS Tony Pellet Chris Zabek GUESTS Michelle McLaughlin Agricultural Fair Board Agricultural Sector Haney Farmer s Market Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Agricultural Sector Equestrian Agricultural Sector Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Staff Liaison, Planning Department Committee Clerk Agricultural Land Commission Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Guest Speaker 1. Call to Order & Introductions There being a quorum present, Candace Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm and introductions were made. 2. Adoption of the Agenda R14-008 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda dated February 27, 2014 be adopted with the following addition s; Add tem 5.6 Appreciation Award and Grant Request from Maple Ridge Agricultural Fair Minutes Page 1 of 5
Add item 7.3 Correspondence Farm Water 3. Adoption of the Regular Meeting Minutes R14-009 Motion was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 23, 2014 be adopted. 4. Delegations & Presentations - 4.1 Tentative Perspectives of New Emerging Farmers - Attendees of Richmond Farm School. Michelle McLaughlin, recent farming graduates from Kwantlen PolytechnicSchool and explained their experience at the farm school with a brief overview of the components of the farm school. Ms. McLaughlin also explained their perspective on how difficult it is for a young farmer entering into the business if you did not already come from a farming family. 5. Current & Unfinished Business 5.1 Election of Chair and Vice-chair Candace Gordon called for nominations for the role of Chair. Stephanie James was nominated and accepted the nomination. Ms. James was unanimously elected as the new Chair for the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Ms. Gordon called for nominations for the role of vice-chair. Bill Hardy and Margaret Daskis were nominated, but both declined the nominations. Kimberly Lauzon was nominated next and accepted the nomination. Ms. Lauzon was unanimously elected as the new vice-chair for the Agricultural Advisory Committee. 5.2 True North Fraser Program - update Diana Hall reported that the True North Fraser Program report recently went to council where it was accepted, and confirmation was given that funding for this program would be supported. Ms. Hall further reported that the True North Fraser is underway to become a registered trademark brand owned by the District of Maple Ridge. Ms. Hall confirmed that the District is working in coordination with the City of Pitt Meadows with this program. A draft brochure produced by Economic Development to go out in the tax notices adverting the True North Fraser program was shared by Ms. Hall who further commented she will be investigating an upcoming press release on this brand. 5.3 Core Review Agricultural Land Commission - update Diana Hall reviewed the Salmon Arm letter which this committee put forward a resolutions last month to request council support. Ms. Hall explained the process involved with this request, and that it would be going forward to council workshop shortly. Minutes Page 2 of 5
5.4 Ministry of Agricultural Inventory Public Event Diana Hall reported that she is working with Dave Speirs in Social Planning, Neighbourhood Development to host a public presentation for this inventory report at an undetermined future date. Plans include having speakers and a panel discussion at this event. Ms. Hall is waiting on the release date of the inventory report before she can proceed further. Ms. Hall further explained that the target audience at this event will be farmers, and neighbourhood champions. Please note: Committee members chose to talk about another topic at this time. 5.5 Update from Strategic Economic Initiatives Department Diana Hall reported that the Strategic Economic Initiatives department is focusing resources to the True North Fraser brand and have been working on putting together an ad for the Circle Farm Tour brochure, in addition to the flyer which will be going out in all tax notices. Candace Gordon requested for the next meeting, an update on other initiatives that Strategic Economic Initiatives is working on including the farm tour and the hub in Pitt Meadows. 5.6 Appreciation Award from Country Fest & Grant Request from the Maple Ridge Lorraine Bates recognized the Committee members with a Certificate of appreciation from the Maple Ridge Agricultural Fair Board for their support. Ms. Bates further submitted a grant request to this Committee on behalf of Country Fest for their event in 2014. R14-010 Motion was moved and seconded That the grant a one thousand dollar bursary to the Maple Ridge Agricultural Association. Please note: Lorraine Bates left the room at 8:26 pm during discussion and voting. Please note: Lorraine Bates re-entered the room at 8:27 pm after voting was completed. 6. Sub-committee Reports 6.1 Intersections Project Margaret Daskis gave a brief update from the Intersections sub-committee. Diana Hall further commented that the event is set for April 9 at 6:30 pm in the ACT lobby. The goal of this event is to have a meet and greet social event with opportunities for participants to get a sense of what other organizations/committees are doing within the community. Ms. Hall stated that Minutes Page 3 of 5
action items from each group s business plans will be enlarged on posters, giving groups opportunities to discuss. Ms Daskis stated that an object of Intersections is to find synergies between groups and committees with the possibility of collaboration on future projects. This event is a cost-share with the Community Heritage Commission and other committees of council donating a minimal fee. Committee members are requested to email Diana Hall any recommendations of organizations they feel should be part of this event. 7. Correspondence 7.1 Metro Vancouver Proposed Approach to Reduce Illegal Fill Deposition on Agricultural Lands. 7.2 Red Barn Plants and Produce Farm Water Rates. 7.3 Letter from Ken Knechtel Councillor Cheryl Ashlie reported that Paul Gill, General Manager of Corporate & Financial Services reviewed Mr. Knechtel s letter and has recommended this letter come before Council. Please note: Committee members chose to discuss another topic at this time. 8. Roundtable Councillor Bob Masse reported that the proposed farm school at Colony Farms has been cancelled and perhaps this could be an opportunity for Maple Ridge. Lorraine Bates reported that the recent motion from this Committee to Council asking for support from the government for Agricultural Fairs is going well and there is anticipation that funding will return to BC Fairs. Bill Hardy raised awareness to this Committee of the legislative changes coming to recycling and the impact it is going to have on growers. Mr. Hardy suggested Council liaisons with this Committee may want to report back to Council on the challenges that will become an immediate threat to growers with these changes. Craig Speirs reported that the Haney Farmers Market will be celebrating their 10 th birthday this year and they are working to implement the True North Brand into the market. Al Kozak reported he was hired as an expert witness to provide a business case recently where he developed some good business plans for small farms. Mr. Kozak would like the opportunity to present these models as generic background on issues that small farms are facing where he could provide recommendations this Committee could use for farmers. Diana Hall reported that at a recent MetroVan meeting, it was indicated that their goal will be providing web based service for people seeking info on naturescape and food based resources. Minutes Page 4 of 5
9. Public Questions and Answers Ken Knechtel commented that Orchard and Vine Magazine did a spread on the True North Fraser signs recently and he asked what the projected guidelines will be for Maple Ridge farmers usage of the signs, since Pitt Meadows already had their guidelines established. Ms. Knechtel requested clarity on what is going to be labeled as a farm regarding with this brand. 10. Next Meeting - Thursday, March 27, 2014 Agenda Deadline - Monday, March 12, 2014 11. Adjournment 9:10 pm Chair /jg Minutes Page 5 of 5