Part 1: Farm Challenges, Local Food & Future Planning - 03/30/2026

The Agriculture Advisory Committee met virtually on March 30, 2026, bringing together councillors, staff, and local agricultural voices to reconnect after several months and refocus on key priorities heading into the growing season.

The meeting was chaired by Bob Rogers, newly reappointed to the role, with Councillor Kate MacNaughton helping guide portions of the early proceedings. From the outset, the tone was practical and forward-looking, with discussions centred on how the County can better support its farming community in a changing economic and regulatory landscape.

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Committee Leadership and Opening Business

One of the first orders of business was confirming committee leadership. Rogers was officially appointed as Chair, with Jacqui Burley named Vice Chair, continuing a familiar leadership structure for the group. The committee also approved previous meeting minutes and briefly acknowledged ongoing advocacy work related to Bill 21, noting that multiple municipalities across Ontario have now passed resolutions in support.

This early portion of the meeting set a steady rhythm, quickly moving past procedural items and into the discussions that matter most to local agriculture.

Survey Results Reveal Pressures on Local Farms

The main presentation of the evening came from County staff, who shared an update on the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Survey focused on agriculture. The survey gathered 92 responses from local farms, representing a notable participation rate compared to past efforts.

What emerged was a detailed snapshot of the current pressures facing the County farmers. Across different sectors, from livestock to food production, several themes stood out. Farmers identified municipal fees, land use regulations, and property taxes as some of the most pressing concerns, especially in areas where the municipality has direct influence. At the same time, broader issues such as water access, succession planning, and rising operational costs also ranked high.

The data also revealed gaps. Very few respondents answered questions related to succession planning, suggesting that long-term farm transitions remain an unresolved and possibly uncomfortable topic for many operators.

Beyond the numbers, the presentation highlighted feedback from a series of focus groups. These discussions added context to the survey results, especially around day-to-day challenges. Farmers spoke about the growing complexity of regulations, the cost of compliance, and the friction that can arise between agricultural operations and newer rural residents unfamiliar with farming realities.

There was also a clear interest in solutions that go beyond regulation. Farmers expressed support for initiatives that could help them market directly to consumers, expand value-added production, and connect with local institutions for procurement opportunities.

Exploring Opportunities for Local Food and Farm Growth

The conversation naturally shifted toward what the municipality can do next. Several ideas were introduced, including expanding farmers’ markets to new days or seasons, improving access to infrastructure like cold storage, and supporting value-added production through programs like the recently launched “Recipe for Success.”

Another key concept discussed was the development of a Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This framework would allow the municipality to offer targeted financial incentives to support farm-related improvements, such as covering part of the cost for professional services or infrastructure upgrades. While still in early stages, the CIP was framed as one of the few tools available to directly support private agricultural businesses.

Throughout the discussion, there was a consistent emphasis on balancing municipal goals with the realities of running a farm. The need for flexibility, clearer processes, and practical support came through as recurring themes.

Farm Tour Discussion Brings Focus Back to Education

Later in the meeting, Rogers brought forward the idea of reviving a farm tour for council and staff, something the committee had supported in the past. The goal is to give decision-makers a firsthand look at local farming operations, helping bridge the gap between policy and on-the-ground realities.

Rogers emphasized that while reports and meetings are useful, nothing replaces seeing the work up close. With a new council in place after the next election, the committee sees this as an important opportunity to build understanding early.

Staff noted that farm tours can take different forms, from public-facing events to more focused educational experiences. The committee’s priority remains the latter, with an emphasis on helping council better understand both the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector.

Waste-to-Fuel Proposal Sparks Interest

Another major topic was an update on alternative low-carbon fuels at the local cement plant. While a scheduled presenter initially missed the meeting, committee members discussed the proposal based on earlier briefings and later heard directly from staff involved.

The concept involves using locally generated waste, including certain agricultural byproducts, as fuel in cement production. This could reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels while also diverting materials from landfills.

Committee members showed cautious optimism. There was particular interest in whether agricultural plastics, such as bale wrap and twine, could be part of the solution. These materials are difficult to recycle and often pose challenges for farmers. The potential to repurpose them locally was seen as a possible win, provided environmental safeguards are met.

Staff confirmed that the process would be subject to strict monitoring and regulatory oversight, with certain materials excluded based on emissions concerns.

Looking Ahead

As the meeting wrapped up, the committee reviewed its 2026 work plan and identified a few immediate priorities. These included following up on agricultural signage initiatives, continuing work on invasive species management, and raising awareness around avian flu risks, particularly for backyard and outdoor poultry operations.

The discussion around avian flu brought a more urgent tone, with members noting recent detections in the area and the potential impact on local producers.

Key Takeaways for PEC Residents

This meeting highlighted three important developments for the community.

1. Local farmers are facing increasing pressure from both costs and regulations, and the County is beginning to explore more direct ways to support them.

   
   

2. New initiatives like the Community Improvement Plan and value-added programs could shape how agriculture grows in the region.

   
   

3. Emerging issues such as waste-to-fuel projects and avian flu risks show how quickly the agricultural landscape can shift, requiring ongoing attention from both the municipality and residents.

Overall, the meeting reflected a continued effort to keep agriculture front and centre in County planning, while staying grounded in the realities faced by those working the land.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 57:55. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.