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Goals:
To constrain development to protect agricultural land and the rural community environment.

To support the agricultural community.

Action Items:
Form a committee to promote the Town's agricultural sector; develop educational programs/opportunities for the public to learn about agriculture.

Promote the mission and vision of the Ag-Industry Task Force; develop and recruit new partnerships.

Develop a position statement on the importance of providing support for agriculture and rural programs.

Actively promote the implementation of Best Management Practices to producer groups and related industry; incorporate a Best Management Plan workshop or a speaker into Simcoe County Farmers Week days (beef, dairy, crop, swine); promote the cost benefits of "new" Best Management Plans.

Investigate innovative techniques to identify new Best Management Practices.

Boost educational programs in schools to increase the understanding of Best Management Plans.

Provide training programs on, and project the success of the following: eco-tourism, niche markets, pick-your- own, farm holidays with bed & breakfasts, and equestrian trails.

Develop a focus on food production and technology programs.

Improve water quality by restricting livestock access to waterways, developing manure storage facilities, and/or minimizing cropland erosion.

Encourage all "nutrient users" to prepare a Nutrient Management Plan.

Identify and establish a "bank" of baseline data (benchmarks) for:

Water quality/quantity,

Landfill site locations (old and new),

Biosolid spreading sites,

Soil fertility, and

Habitat features.

Potential Partners:
4H and Junior Farmers
Agriculture Canada
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
Conservation Authorities
County of Simcoe
Federation of Ontario Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
Human Resources Development Canada
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Tourism and Recreation
Nottawasaga Futures
Ontario Agriculture Training Institute
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Producer Groups/Agricultural Businesses
Rural Associations
Rural Secretariat
Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture
Soil and Crop Improvement Groups
Town of New Tecumseth

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