Your Daily look at the CFA Semi Annual Meeting
as it happens (from July 29, 2009)
Wednesday morning was wholly dedicated to CFA's Strategic Growth Committee meeting. This is the opportunity for discussion and clarifaction about the formal reports from yesterday's committee meetings as well as detailed presentations about key national programs and initiatives. Though only CFA Executive Committee members and the various Policy Committee Chairs are full participants in this portion of the agenda, CFA does encourage attendance by all interested observers.
CFA Second Vice Presidents Garnet Etsell and Rod Bonnett kicked off the meeting at 8:30 this morning by presenting the minutes from the Strategic Growth Committee's last conference call and reviewing the committee's terms of reference and mandate.
At 9 am, AAFC Deputy Minister Greg Merideth was connected to the meeting by conference call to outline the process and answer specific questions about the Federal Government's AgriFlex Fund. CFA members had a number of concerns about the programs shortcomings, implementation and detailed questions about the program and its processes. The overwhelming message from the CFA to the Ministry was the need for increased consultation and communication with farm groups and industry players.
The Deputy Minister closed his comments by committing to continued dialogue and enhanced partnerships with CFA and its member organizations.
Starting at about 9:45, the Strategic Growth Committee reviewed the emerging priorites from each of the CFA policy committees and evaluated the priority recommendations for National Council action.
At 11:15 the dialogue turned very briefly to the challenges for providing general farm organizations with sufficient resources to meet the current and emerging needs of farmers. Since the committee was running slightly off schedule , this discussion was tabled for further consideration at the next AGM.
The morning wrapped up with a presentation by the Canadian Cooperatives Association's Lynn Markell regarding the Cooperatives Investments Program followed by lunch on the Grand's conference centre deck overlooking the stunning Lake Okanagan. (See photo above)
The CFA Semi Annual hit high gear sharp at 1 pm on Wednesday afternoon, with welcome remarks from CFA President Laurent Pellerin and BC's Minister of Agriculture, Steve Thomson.
Laurent opened the afternoon by welcoming CFA members, guests and others to the semi- annual meeting and brought the membership up to date on his recent activites before introducing the newly elected Minister of Agriculture for the province of BC, Steve Thompson.
Minister Thomson warmly welcomed the membership from across Canada and reminded the delegates of his own close history with the BCAC and the Okanagan ag community. CFA delegates expressed thier enthusiasm and support for Minister Thomson as he stressed the importance and advantage of governments working closely with farm organizations. Minister Thomson was also available to answer questions from the floor and will be attending the balance of today`s meetings and this evening's social functions.
Shortly after 1:30, CFA member organizations undertook reviewing administrative and financial reports for the first half of 2009. This session was dealing largely with regular administrative details. A brief 'ìn camera' session was held to review the current year's and the proposed 2010 budget.
At 2 pm, BCAC's Garnett Etsell presented an update to the issues and opportunites facing the BC ag industry.
At 2:20, delegates heard from Rick Tone, ED for the Yukon Agricultural Association who provided a Northern Agriculture update and discussed the challenges and opportunities to partner with other areas and industries. Interestingly, there are less than 150 farmers in the area with an average of 30 cultivated hectares per farm. CFA members enthusiastically encouraged the YAA to join CFA in order to provide a stronger, more cohesive voice for all Canadian farm families.
At 3 pm delegates heard some dire warnings from Jurgen Preugschas, Chair off the Canadian Pork Council who highlighted the current crisis facing the Canadian Pork Sector and outlined the CCPC's current emergency funding request and the urgent steps necessary to support and save the Canadian hog industry.
At the completion of Jurgen's presentation and a short opportunity for questions from the floor; Clair Gartley, AAFC's Director General, Innovations Directorate - Resarch Branch addressed the assembled delegates regarding Agri-Innovation funding under AAFC's Growing Forward programs that will support innovation and research opportunities in agriculture.
To wrap up the fomal portion of today's agenda, delegates reconvened in the South Ballroom of the Grand Conference Centre shortly after 4 pm to hear from a Panel on Climate Change, comprised of the following industry and government experts:
- Dale Enerson, Director, Carbon Credit Program, NFU
- Dean Stinson O’Gorman, Manager, Canada's Offset System for Greenhouse Gases, Environment Canada
- Karen Haugen-Kozyra, Climate Change Central
- Emily MacNair, Climate Action Initiative Coordinator, BC Agriculture and Food
Delegates were enthusiastic but slightly ovewhelmed by the range and depth of information provided in the panel discussion.
Following a long and busy day in the plenary room, CFA delegates were excited about the Taste of BC event being held at the Kelowna Land and Orchard Company. KLO is a working farm and commercial apple orchard situated a short distance (10 minutes) from the city centre of Kelowna. The orchard spans 150 acres and produces approximately four million pounds of fruit annually. British Columbia produces about 30% of apples grown in Canada and KLO is one of the largest and most modern orchard operations in the country.