Minutes

Thursday, April 23, 2015

2:30 – 5:00 pm

Winnipeg Millenium Library, Anhang Room, 251 Donald St

2:30 pm Welcome and Call to order of Annual Business meeting

Present: Kate Storey. Chair, Hermann Grauer, Treasurer, Janine Gibson, Secretary, Ken Sabatier, Joanne Theissen-Martens, Larry Black, Laura Telford, Eric Rempel, John Finnie, Chuck Leibert, Kathy Sawchuck guest , Pat Polluck, Gabriel Codivada, Lorraine Stevenson- MB Cooperators

Approval of agenda- Moved by Janine, seconded by Eric. Carried. Approval of 2014 AGM minutes-Hermann moves, seconded by Ken, Carried.

2015 President’s Report- Brief History of MOA lobbying activities, Action Plan for MB Organic Sector, Organic Agricultural Products Act-Transition Rebate Support- Growing Forward II Visions Project, Crop Management for High Quality Seed Project with U of MB, looking for an Executive Director; Building an Organic Manitoba website with OFCM-COG, thank you webmaster Eric Remple.

Board of Directors Nomination Report and First call for Nominations total 14 positions; 5 farmer positions, research position, Inspector position, Education position ( OFCM) 3 marketing positions, member-at-large, Chuck Leibert of Emma’s Garden nominated;

Review of the 2014 Financial Statements –Eric Rempel- suggestion that MOA switch to accrual accounting, Hermann and Eric agree to develop and circulate an accrual based financial report. See MOA Profit-Loss for 2014 attached. John moves, seconded by Larry to approve the financial report. Carried

Prairie Organic Development Fund report – Ken Sabatier MOA rep, Laura working closely with this, Marv Dyck from Kroecker Farms farmer Rep, More organic acres goal; raising funds to make model viable, legal defined structure being established, suggestion to nominate Dennis Hoeppner, moved by Janine seconded by Hermann, Carried.

ACTION: Janine to call and invite Dennis to participate with Marv as MB reps on PODF.

4:00 pm Prairie Organic Grain Initiative – Karen Snethun, Organic Alberta- We thank Karen for her excellent presentation on supporting more organic farmers across the prairies; lost opportunities due to shortage in organic grain supply; 4 year program to achieve resiliency & stability-quantity, quality and profitability;

Organic Showcase Dinner and Networking Event September 26- Moved by Ken, seconded by Larry, for booking Jane’s Restaurant via a $1000 deposit; request for a budget for this event- carried. MAFRD agrees to link producers with food needed; Ken will manage this project, Publicity Coordinator needed, Ticket Sales/Table Management needed as well.

Second Call for Nominations- none forth coming

Organic Action Plan for Manitoba – Laura Telford- Pool of funds available with 12.5 % on the table from MOA for activities based on the MB Action Plan- Growing new markets important to balance new producers being brought in; Chicken- genetics keep getting more and more refined, habitat/infrastructure/immunology/animal welfare issues; Diversity of Crops Projects;

Extension activities - Organic Conference, Ag Days, Farm Clubs, networking potluck events

Potential Growing Action application June 1^st next date for submissions.

Third Call for Nominations- Pat considering a nomination.

Director Elections- Janine moves, seconded by Hermann-Motion to `acclaim as Directors Kate, Hermann, Eric, Janine, Joanne , John, Larry, Ken, Chuck Leibert and Pat Pollock.

Other business- next teleconference meeting first week of June, next AGM to be at the Organic Farming Conference Feb 18^th & 19^th, 2015

Thank you all for your efforts!

5:00 Adjornment John moves, seconded by Hermann, Carried