Transition Meaford Meeting Notes
April 9th, 2014
In Attendance: JoAnn M, Liz B, Steve G, Mary B, Rick E, Jaden C, Michele D, Rock P, Lindy I.
Regrets: Samantha M, Chuck M.
1
Intro & Welcome
A warm welcome was extended to Michele D. & Rock P.
2
Sustainable Library
The library was moved to the History Room at the Meaford Public Library.
A photo of the happening was in the Meaford Express April 9th, 2014.
3
Film Series
On track for Nov. 2014
4
Action: Selection Team will have 4 new film titles to Meaford Hall by June 2014
Community Gardens
At the next organizing meeting address: workshops, results of Meaford Community Gardens Survey, utilization of
GBSS greenhouse & school connection, further development of Village Green (6 raised beds), grant possibilities, and
development of a 5 year plan.
Action: Organizing team to meet Friday, April 11th, at 11:00 am at the home of
Mary B.
Begin the process of developing a non-traditional cookbook that will focus on local produce- vegetables, fruit,
bushes/trees, nuts, edible perennials, how to grow organically, recognizing wild plants in our area, where to find
them, how to cook with them and how to harvest wild edibles without threatening their sustainability.
Action: Organizing team to meet Friday, April 11th, at 11:00 am at the home of
Mary B
5
B&B Habitat Initiative
Rick E. advised that the 500 acres west of town, across from and around Sunrise Organics will not have
neonicotinoids on the GMO roundup ready soy that is being planted this spring.
Rick will continue to with speaking engagements on this issue. He has a PowerPoint presentation that he shares.
Rick last spoke to the Directors of Innovative Farmers of Ontario. He is lined up to speak with the Grain Farmers of
Ontario.
Based on Rick’s research, pollinators have returned in countries that have stopped use of neonics.
Action: Rick to continue with speaking engagements.
6
Plastic Film Pilot Project
Steve G. advised the group the project has moved into phase 2. That is, the municipality will direct Miller Waste, the
new contractor responsible for the transfer station to open space for film plastic collection by the broader public.
The process will be announced by the municipality in the coming months. An education process will be required.
Phase 3 will include film plastic as a recyclable item in the RFP that will go out from the municipality in early 2015.
Phase 3 is still tentative with several variables affecting the outcome i.e. is there a market for film plastic?
The participants have been advised by e-mail of the current status of the project. (e-letter posted at end)
Action: Continue to save film plastic until advised to take it to the transfer station.
Steve G will advise the group of the date.
7
Community Juice Press
James M. & Jaden C. are in the process of creating a first draft vision for a Not-For-Profit Food Co-operative
temporarily called 'The Apple Plant' ...We will reach out to a small group of individuals, to participate in
refining/broadening the vision.
The broader vision could include a green house, farmers’ market, retail space, community kitchen etc…
At the first exploratory meeting, some of the following items were discussed:
- Business operational model for shared juice press, a cooperative model?
- Who will operate and maintain the press?
-
Fee structure for members/partners utilizing press
Labour models for fruit harvest (volunteers and gleaning of windfalls)
Profit sharing; charitable recipients
Type of press (mobile vs. stationary) & location & distribution
Funding and grant opportunities
What fruits will be pressed & how will it be packed?
Action: Jaden C. to stay active as one of the key organizers of the project
8
Group Grain Purchasing
The following article was published in the Meaford Express Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014. All local papers were
advised.
Transition Meaford, an organization promoting “relocalization” and community self-sufficiency in agriculture, energy and
transportation is soliciting interested farmers and homesteaders in group purchasing of livestock grain. Grain prices have risen
dramatically over recent years due to fertilizer costs, ethanol production and transportation costs. Typically purchased grain is a
high percentage of livestock production costs. Many do not know that large amounts of grain is imported from different countries
including China and Argentina with a high percentage of the corn and soy being GMO varieties.
If there is enough interest the group will start out purchasing bulk organic and non-GMO poultry layer mash from competitive
dealers or direct from local farmers. Bulk bins will be established in regions where interest is expressed. Bulk buying can reduce
costs typically in the 30% range. If you are interested in this project and would like more information contact Chuck Mitchell at 519538-9806 or email at mitchellchuck060@gmail.com
9
There was interest from Chatsworth (6 calls) and a few from Meaford.
Action: Chuck M. will keep the group updated on the progress of the
concept
Earth Week
This municipal pilot project is moving along with great enthusiasm & broad community participation.
The next organizing meeting is Monday, April 14th. 7:00 pm at the MSV Community Centre.
Beyond all of the significant presentation in the community during Earth Week (EW), the Reuse Fair is the focus of
serious energy. The current and ongoing challenge is to share information about the happening and the wish list.
The Meaford Independent will have Earth Week as the Special Feature in the April 11 th newsprint publication.
Action: Jaden C. & Lindy I to attend EW organizing meeting & participate where
needed.
10
Bridge to Local Government
Liz B. advised that the Waterfront Strategy Report is on line as of Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
http://www.meaford.ca/spotlight4/704-waterfront-strategy.html
The Official Plan is complete and her current task is to update regulations and zoning by-laws to address the changes.
Due to new federal regulations affecting medical marijuana, local by-laws and procedures must be developed to address permits, security
and agricultural related factors.
Liz B. recently was honoured with a Chairship by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
This Strategic Committee (Quality Practice Strategy Group) is tasked with determining the approach for ongoing professional learning for
Planners in Ontario. As part of year one of OPPI’s learning strategy, courses will be developed that address infrastructure resilience and
climate change adaptation
The Provincial Policy Statement has been recently updated and sets out clear responsibilities for Municipalities to plan for energy
conservation, air quality and climate change.
The key challenge of urban planners addressing proactive adaptations to climate change is, ‘How do you plan for the unknown?
11
New Sparks
Rock P. & Michelle D. attended their first meeting to explore connections and assess Transition Meaford’s involvement in community. There
was substantial interest around geodesic gardening domes and solar energy used for local food security, as well as, the Slow Money
Conference (http://slowmoney.com/national-gathering/). The expertise & experience brought to the table by Rock & Michelle are an
infusion of optimism for local development around key Transition Town issues.
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Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 14th, 2014, 7:00 pm at EcoInhabit.
E-mail sent to the Plastic Film Pilot Project Participants Friday, March 28, 2014:
Dear Film Stars,
We apologize for the lengthy delay in updating all of you in the plastic recycling group, however we were waiting until we knew in what direction the Municipality was
going to proceed. The pilot project, while over, was definitely a success.
The present waste collection and disposal contract with Miller will end June 30 2015. Negotiations for the new contract will begin early in 2015. Meaford is interested
in exploring the possibility of including curbside pick-up of plastic wrap. This is not ground-breaking thought, as this is already being done by other municipalities. It is
ultimately where we should be heading, to significantly recycle plastic wrap within our local environment. There will probably be some costs associated with this
initiative, but some revenue potential for Miller. The net cost to Meaford will be crucial in determining how this plays out. If this becomes a political decision, we have
had the potential advantage of having three current councillors being a part of the pilot project.
In the meantime, the Municipality has decided to continue with the operation of the transfer station on Miller St. Their initial plan is to offer this location as the plastic
wrap drop site for residents who wish to recycle plastic in the Municipality. They would advertise to encourage residents to do so and would possibly continue to use
Switch Energy as the recycling contractor. This could be considered the middle phase towards the ultimate goal of curbside plastic wrap pick-up.
We will be in touch with you in the next month or so to inform you as to the final decisions made in this regard. Out of habit and commitment, It seems most of you
have continued to collect your plastic wrap past the end of the pilot project and we would encourage you to continue to do so.
Your participation in our pilot project has been key in demonstrating the possibilities to our community, and we sincerely thank you for your effort and faith in this
initiative.
Regards, Steve Griffiths, Lindy Iversen, Thomas Dean