Minutes for the Growers of Organic Food Yukon March 18, 2007

In Attendance: Joanne, Peter, Cain, Susan, Brian, Joan, Simone, Garret, Tom, Linda

Meeting was called to order shortly after 1 pm. Simone moved and Joan seconded the minutes as read from the last meeting, January 14, 2007. Additions to agenda include 307.5 YAA, 307.6 Organic Inspection, 307.7 GMO's Torry Russel and 307.8 .

Correspondence: Bank statements.

Reports:

Linda Bonnefoy gave a report on her visit to the COG conference on “Growing Up Organic”. Her actual presentation she gave will hopefully be up on the COG website soon. Both Guelph University and CBC were interested in furthering discussion on her presentation.

Linda spoke of locally restrictive health regulations An example of this is the children in the daycare cannot eat any food that is grown by them in the daycare garden. They can however take what they pick home with them and eat it. A rather huge contradiction of purpose.

Linda is looking forward to creating a better connection between childcare centres and farmers/producers. She is looking to GoOFY to help promote this connection of good food good health with the childcare centres and also help promote some more realistic regulations about daycare children being able to eat what they grow.

Linda was commended on her efforts for representing the Yukon and GoOFY and she thanked the Renewable Resources, Agriculture Branch, for helping her to access finds through the Canada-Yukon Agriculture Policy Framework.

•Financial:

Simone reports that all monies are up to date for the ball mill project. There hasn't been a payment received for the legume study nor anything arrived for Linda Bonnefoy. Bank statements are all reconciled.

•COG:

Brian had suggested we read the last part of the COG guidelines about ethical fund raising. They seem to pertain more to the Yukon's situation. There has been a bit of banter on email about what is more important: organic vs local. Organic local being the best choice most people in the Yukon knows who grows what so they in fact have a choice as to what to buy and from whom.

Joanne also passed on that all projects undertaken by GoOFY using exterior funding sources have been approved by COG.

•APF

Sheila didn't have a report except that they haven't met since last meeting

•FCM

Simone announced that there will be the same rules, guidelines and fees for the market this year.

•CORC

Claire Desmarais was not present however Joanne mentioned she will write the letter for Claire to have the funding extended for travel.

Speakers:

Peter Becker spoke on the subject of the Food Bank. He is currently writing a proposal on a Food Bank for Whitehorse. The food bank has approval to use local food and will definitely look to promote local as much possible. Peter is looking to strengthen the ideal that food is a humanitarian right. Initially there will be close to 10,000 lbs of food distributed a month. Brian will draft a letter of support on behalf of GoOFY for this initiative. Anyone having any questions on the Food Bank initiative can contact Peter Becker at 333-9043 or foodsecurity@yknet.ca

Mo Boksa was present at the meeting but will hopefully be able to update us on the continuing COG sponsored project of Growing Up Organic.

Joanne attended the soil food workshop and will be presenting a workshop, date to be announced. She was really excited about all the information and is looking forward to the workshop and passing on what information she can.

Joan spoke briefly on the COABC conference and how all 4 that attending thoroughly enjoyed it and the travelling they did while in Armstrong BC. Of note was the fact that the food was all organic and the majority of it donated. All participants wrote contributions for the Ag Dept and the YAA news letters.

Old Business:

306.1 Karen's technician report for 2006 is done and was submitted to Brian as project manager for the legume study. It contains a summary, all the charts and tables and the photographs of the plots and work done.

Karen recommended reducing the number of sites from 4 to 5, not reseeding the sweet clover because of Matt's concerns and there needs to be extra time put in for sampling.

Karen will not be returning this year so a new technician will be required.

Brian is going to submit a request for the remainder of the funding as recommended.

306.5 The ball mill accounting is all done and up to date and an extension is being asked for.

406.3 Keeping this point in as a reminder to remember to submit articles for Infarmation news letter.

906.1 Although nothing was pertinent at this time, this free area will be maintained for regular discussion on practical farming issues.

107.1 Simone has completed the application for processing equipment under Food Safety Initiative. Susan will be the project manager on this and it will not be GoOFY sponsored but submitted as a group of processors.

107.2 Garret reiterated some of the issues his farm has run into in dealing with wholesaling food to retailers. Several of the issues revolve around non payment and misrepresentation by the retailer. Garret warns to be vigilant and on top of dealing with retail outlets.

107.4 Already covered in reports, Joanne will be doing a workshop in the near future on the Soil Food Web.

New Business:

307.1 the YCS is putting together an Earth Day conference on April 22. All sorts of activities will be there including a panel discussion on current Agriculture and food issues. Joanne will also have something about composting. COG is forwarding the logo plus pamphlets on Organics. Tory Russell will also be there with Debbie Trudeau promoting a GE crop Free Yukon. Lots of things happening plus food as well.

307.2 Tom presented an idea from Alpine bakery. Suat would like to obtain a film for showing but the price for it is a little high. The film is called “Our Daily bread” and information on it can be found at www.frif.com/new2006/odb.html . GoOFY members didn't want to apply for funding to obtain the film but would help Suat put together an application so he can submit it. Tom's idea...Tom can help.

307.3 There is an idea to hold a slow food diner at Mt Lorne sometime in April. This would be an awareness initiative for GoOFY and a possible fund raiser. More information will be forthcoming on this and perhaps something can be facilitated with Joanne and her Soil Food Web.

307.4 Tom announced the the Circumpolar conference to be held in Canada this year has put out a call for papers. Any one interested in going should look into requirements and the possibility of presenting some information. Last time in Sweden there were at least 3 presenters including Tom and Graham Rudge that did a presentation on CSA's in Whitehorse.

307.5 Tom mentioned that the YAA AGM is coming on April 28. He is wondering if there is reason for a GoOFY presence to be on their board of directors. Tom mentioned there hasn't been much information passed back to GoOFY via his board position. Although Tom felt he added a little to the YAA discussions there was no real benefit to him being there for GoOFY. It was agreed that there can be a better presence and representation on the different decision bodies like APF and ACAAF and also Sheila's representation on the industry advisory board. It was also mentioned that at regularly scheduled meetings most members of GoOFY are members of YAA and could affect change and access to information by attending these meetings.

307.6 It was mentioned that it is Jack Ream's last year as an Organic inspector and that we should ask if he could come up for a last visit and inspection. He is coming up to re-certify Bean North Coffee Roasters. At some point within the next 2 years we will need another inspector anyway to keep Claire in business.

NOTE: As of the time of writing the minutes, Jack is no longer contracted to PACS for inspection services so he will be unable to visit as an inspector.

307.7 Tory Russel and Debbie Trudeau, who currently run the Activism film series at Alpine Bakery, are undertaking to promote a petition to keep the Yukon GE crop free. They will be at the earth Day conference and are looking at promoting the film “The Future of Food” through the schools in the Yukon. They have contacts within the First Nations and will also be approaching them for support.

Meeting was adjourned shortly after 5pm.