Northeast Avalon Regional Economic Development Board (NEAREDB) Agriculture Labour-Sharing Steering Committee - 1st meeting August 22,

2011 10am-12pm

Start time: 10:10am End time: 12:04pm Attendance: From NEAREDB: Christine Snow Executive Dircetor Peter Parsons Project Coordinator From Steering Committee: Harry Burden Dairy Farmers of NL Christophe Caron - Rseau de dveloppement conomique et d'employabilit (RDE) Angeli Jarvis Department of Innovation, Trade & Rural Development (INTRD) Gary Myrden Carbonear Campus Administrator, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Ron Newhook Marine Institute (MUN) Sam Kean - NL Federation of Co-operatives (NLFC) Goldie Porter Department of Innovation, Trade & Rural Development (INTRD) 1. Welcome and Introductions

Christine Snow introduced herself as NEAREDBs Executive Director, and introduced Peter Parsons as the Project Coordinator for the agriculture labour-sharing project. He was hired for a 12-month contract that will end May 30, 2012. Christine thanked everyone for their interest in the project and for agreeing to join the committee. Introductions around the table took place. 2. Review of Agenda

No new additions were added to meetings agenda. 3. Review of Terms of Reference

No suggested changes to Terms of Reference. 4. Steering Committee membership

Sam Kean noted the importance of engaging people and getting them to understand the concepts before joining such a Committee. Others noted the difficulty in having people on the Committee because they dont have the time, e.g. farmers are busy, especially this time of year.

NEAREDB Agriculture Labour-Sharing Steering Committee August 22, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Gary Myrden asked if the landscaping industry is included in this project. Christine indicated that the project was initially focused on horticulture and/or livestock businesses. Suggestion for having Steering Committee core members (key players) to ensure consistency in planning, etc. Then NEAREDB could meet with industry stakeholders (rather than try and have all industries represented on the committee). Committee suggested having Paul Connors (Executive Director of NLFA) sit on Steering Committee to represent all agriculture sectors instead of individual sector representation (but keep them on distribution list / FB group). NLFA represents various stakeholder groups, i.e. dairy farmers, chicken farmers, egg producers, etc. Christine and Peter will schedule meeting with him to discuss. Committee suggested getting representative from HRLE. Peter noted that we are waiting for a response from HRLE. 5. Presentation: Overview of NEAREDB Christine gave an overview of NEAREDB, demographics of Zone 19, and regional economic development activities with NEAREDB examples. Agriculture Labour-Sharing Pilot Project Peter summarized his research to date regarding labour shortage across agriculture industry, and labour-sharing practices in Canada and around the world: CUMA/CUMO, informal laboursharing, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Festive and Exchange labour systems, and Community Gardens. Best practices were highlighted, concluding with discussion on recruiting farms / labourers and recruiting methods. 6. Discussion

Engaging Farm Businesses Since it is a busy time of year for farmers, the question of how to get farmers engaged in this project? was raised by the Committee. Suggested solutions included: Marketing piece to get people/stakeholders interested Give CO-OP presentation to groups and gouge their response Meeting at Call of Chair They all get together during AGM, NEAREDB can network there? Growing Forward meetings (hand out project materials?) Gillian Skinner (conference) Co-operative models Committee gave examples of co-operatives: Eastern CO-OP (NS): Grain terminal, Long Pond, Stephenville; chicken / eggs Dairy industry: CO-OP grain elevator; corn planting equipment. Get funding.

NEAREDB Agriculture Labour-Sharing Steering Committee August 22, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Labour-sharing model for pilot Committee suggested that a CO-OP model may not be best suited for a pilot (i.e. incorporating a cooperative). Instead, it was suggested that basic principles from CO-OP models (i.e. trust, co-operation, compromise, etc.) be used for the pilot (a form of exploratory research). Results might determine next steps, i.e. whether or not incorporating seems like best next step for project. Sam Kean noted that the NFLC offers day-long workshops on CO-OP models, and that the NLFC is available to NEAREDB for questions / advice on CO-OPs. It was suggested that the term network be used instead of co-operative, noting how People get scared at the thought of co-operatives. Role / needs of farmers The Committee emphasized the importance of identifying the needs / common objectives of farmers as a means of answering the inevitable questions: Farmers will want to know what is in it for them? What will be the benefits for the workers? Need to demonstrate that by having farmers come together, XYZ will happen. Sam Kean stated that the farmers need to be driving the bus for this project. Horticultural Council: Potential funding source to develop CO-OP? Labourers Committee suggested producing a labour pool for a specific sector within agriculture industry. Harry Burden notes success with hiring retirees for labour in dairy field (grain / corn production). Dairy industry: o Specific training required, lack of training can create problems at work (i.e. tainted milk when milking cows) o Harry Burden discussed hoof-trimming in dairy field: Most done by NS farmers. Expensive for NL farmers 1 NL farmer got trained through funding, now have their own local business Vegetables: Less specific training, if any? The Committee noted that Greenhouse industry operations start around December /January, which may be a better time frame for finding workers for this project considering its May 30, 2012 end date. Foreign workers program: Office of Immigration: recruiting workers (N. Burke??) Other points: The Committee noted that if NEAREDB can prove this CO-OP model / project is sustainable, we might be able to effect policy change at government level (i.e. mandates about cooperatives). Financial sector is supportive of agriculture in Quebec, credit unions in English Canada

NEAREDB Agriculture Labour-Sharing Steering Committee August 22, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Goldie Porter raised the point of farm safety and injury claims, and will send us a related link for Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission (WHSCC). 7. Next Steps

Proposal to extend Peters contract: Christine and Peter will schedule a meeting with Paul Connors (NLFA) to discuss: Funding to extend Peters contract from May 30, 2012 to September 30, 2010 o Rationale for extension: With the current timelines, recruiting farms / employees would occur during fall / early winter months, when the ideal time for recruiting horticulture businesses is during spring months. The current contracts end date is May 30, 2012, which may not allow sufficient time to: work with farm businesses that have labour needs over the spring months; completing the projects final report and presenting the results if those businesses are involved in the project; and planning the next steps for the project. Extending the contracts end date will: open more recruiting options; allow more time to implement and evaluate the pilot; present the results; and engage stakeholders in devising next steps. Recruiting for the pilot: To implemented and complete the pilot, the Committee suggested that NEAREDB: Choose a specific sector (within agriculture industry) then identify a core group to work with in that sector CO-OP presentation to all food groups Committee noted that a part of selection process is already done: Skilled labour too much time to train (not enough time within this project) Unskilled labour need to identify gaps with actual producers o Businesses that grow vegetables were suggested for this pilot because of its need for unskilled labour (i.e. no formal training required). o Organic farms use labour instead of pesticides? Further research: Christine and Gary Myrden referenced the Andrea Bourne (2004) College of the North Atlantic Training Needs Analysis report. Peter indicated difficulty in locating an electronic or hard copy, but will try and obtain a copy as its results relate to labour-sharing initiatives. Some Committee members suggested that Peter research the berry picking industry in Labrador, and how it handles labour shortages. Stelman Flynn was a suggested contact. Look for research on why CO-Ops failed, evolved, served its purpose, etc. 8. Other Business

No additional points of interest were expressed. 9. Next Meeting

Christine and Peter meet with Paul Connors (NLFA), then the Steering Committee will decide on its next meeting time.