Grey County Ag Advisory Committee Meeting | June 2025

The Grey County Ad Advisory meeting for June 2025 covered agricultural initiatives, planning updates, and infrastructure projects affecting the farming community.

Note: Mi6 has shared this summary with Grey County Agricultural Services and Grey County staff for feedback, clarification and corrections. Readers are also welcome to comment on this update below.

Key Insights

• The Experimental Acres program, funded by Grey County and administered by Grey Ag Services, is supporting six diverse agricultural sustainability projects across the county in 2025.

• Grey County is updating its forest management bylaw and beaver/coyote bounty programs, with public consultations showing diverse opinions on these matters.

• Official Plan Amendment 23 has been approved, clarifying policies around agri-miniums and residential farm cooperatives to prevent rural lands from becoming de facto residential subdivisions.

• The agricultural community is concerned about the spread of wild chervil in road ditches and seeking collaborative approaches with municipalities for better control measures.

• Grey County has extensive road construction and maintenance projects planned for summer 2025, affecting multiple county roads with improvements to culverts, pavement, and infrastructure.

• Craft cider producers in Ontario will benefit from a tax reduction from 60.4% to approximately 34% (matching craft beer rates) effective August 1, 2025, following advocacy from the Blue Mountains council.

• The committee is celebrating 25 years of Grey Ag Services and promoting multiple agricultural events including the 60th anniversary of Grey-Bruce Farmers Week in January 2026.

0:00 - 10:30

0:00 - 10:30 | Welcome and Introductions

“I'd like to welcome everyone to the ag advisory committee meeting for June 4th, 2025. This is our second one for the year. At the last one, I said that we were hoping for green grass by this meeting and we definitely have green grass.”

Chair Lori Smith opened the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting by welcoming members and acknowledging the arrival of green grass after a cold spring. With quorum established, the committee welcomed new member Chris Strut, who replaced Hugh Simpson after his resignation.

Each committee member introduced themselves, including Warden Andrea Matros (Mayor of Blue Mountains), several county councillors, and representatives from various agricultural sectors including dairy, beef, sheep farming, and agricultural organizations such as the Grey County Federation of Agriculture, National Farmers Union, and Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario.

Takeaways

• The Agricultural Advisory Committee achieved quorum with nine members present for their second meeting of 2025.

  
  

• New committee member Chris Strut joined as a replacement for Hugh Simpson, representing the dairy and beef sectors.

  
  

• The committee includes a diverse representation of agricultural sectors and local government officials.

  
  

• Many committee members operate multi-generational family farms across Grey County.

10:30 - 21:00

10:30 - 21:00 | Experimental Acres Project Update

“ Experimental Acres is a program funded by Grey County. It was run as a pilot in Grey County in 2023 and administered by Wellington County staff at that point because they started the program. In 2024 we did our first official year and Grey Ag [services] administered the program for Grey County, and now we're into year two with 2025.”

Emily McKague from Grey Ag Services presented an update on the Experimental Acres program, which aligns with Grey County's climate action plan goal to increase acreage under sustainable best management practices.

The program provides funding and monitoring support for farmers implementing experimental agricultural techniques that build climate resiliency, potentially increase carbon sequestration, or decrease carbon footprints.

Out of 15 applications received in 2025, six diverse projects were selected representing different geographic areas and farm types across the county.

Projects include:

1. A fruit orchard ramial mulch experiment

2. Forage production trials on degraded land

3. Turkey rotation for flower production

4. Turnip broadcast seeding trial

5. Summer seeding hay stand improvement

6. Apple guild permaculture project

   
   

Takeaways

• The Experimental Acres program is in its second official year after starting as a pilot in 2023.

  
  

• Six diverse projects were selected from 15 applications, spanning different farm sizes and production types across Grey County.

• Projects aim to test sustainable agricultural practices that build climate resiliency.

• Documentation of results (whether positive or negative) will be shared with other producers to spread knowledge.

• Updates and previous project summaries are available on Grey County and Grey Ag websites.

21:00 - 30:00

21:00 - 30:00 | Planning Update: Forest Management and Beaver/Coyote Bylaws

“ We've heard a diverse range of opinions on the forest management bylaw. We've heard from a number of people in the forestry industry with their detailed comments. To a lesser degree, we've heard from some in the agricultural or farm community.”

Scott Taylor provided an update on Grey County's consultation process for updating the forest management bylaw and the beaver and coyote bounty programs.

The county had previously discussed these matters at December and March meetings, and recently held public meetings in early May to gather feedback, with comments accepted until the end of May.

On the forest management bylaw, the county received diverse opinions from forestry industry professionals, farmers, and general public members. A key discussion point was the potential shift away from circumference limit harvesting within private woodlots.

For the beaver and coyote programs, feedback came from agricultural community members who consider these programs essential, from trappers providing detailed information about their processes and compensation, and from others suggesting less lethal containment methods. Staff will review all comments with the goal of preparing final recommendations for county council in the fall.

Takeaways

• Grey County is reviewing both its forest management bylaw and beaver/coyote bounty programs.

  
  

• Public consultations have yielded diverse opinions on both matters from various stakeholders.

• A key discussion point for the forest management bylaw is the potential shift away from circumference limit harvesting.

• The county is still accepting feedback before preparing final recommendations for council in the fall.

• Any significant changes to either program could trigger additional public consultations.

30:00 - 40:00

30:00 - 40:00 | Official Plan Amendment 23 Update

“ Rather than three young families getting together to cooperatively buy a 100-acre farm, these were starting to look and feel a lot more like a rural plan of subdivision in that you could have 30 or more houses being proposed on a farm. That was one of the main reasons we brought forward this Official Plan Amendment number 23.”

Scott Taylor provided an update on Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 23, which has been approved by county council with no appeals. The amendment primarily clarifies policies in the county's rural designation, particularly around terms like "agri-miniums" or "residential farm cooperatives" and special event uses on farms.

The amendment addresses concerns that concepts originally intended to help young farmers overcome financial barriers (by allowing 3-4 families to cooperatively farm and live on rural properties) were being proposed at much larger scales of 30-50 homes, essentially creating rural subdivisions.

OPA 23 maintains the option for cooperative farming models but significantly reduces the permitted scale and adds criteria requiring genuine farm elements. The amendment only affects new applications, not those already in process, and only applies to the rural designation, not agricultural or special agricultural designations.

Takeaways

• Official Plan Amendment 23 has been approved with no appeals and is now in force.

  
  

• The amendment clarifies policies around agri-miniums and residential farm cooperatives to prevent rural areas from becoming de facto subdivisions

  
  

• While still allowing small-scale cooperative farming models (2-4 families), it prevents larger developments of 30-50 homes.

• The policies only apply to the rural designation, not agricultural or specialty crop lands.

• The amendment doesn't affect applications already in process, including the Thornbury Acres development currently before the Ontario Land Tribunal.

40:00 - 52:00

40:00 - 52:00 | Roundtable Discussion: Weather Impacts and Weed Control

“ We had a major weather event in the end of March that has greatly affected a certain small portion of Grey County and other areas in the province, and that was the ice storm and the damage to the trees.”

The committee engaged in a roundtable discussion covering several current agricultural challenges. Councillor McQueen raised concerns about the March ice storm that caused significant tree damage in parts of Grey County, particularly in Blue Mountains and Grey Highlands areas.

The damage will take years to clean up and may affect long-term tree health. Gail Ardiel noted that apple orchards in the area survived thanks to lake effect protection, though growers had been prepared with smudge pots and potential helicopter assistance.

The discussion then shifted to living snow fences and whether the county program to establish windbreaks or keep rows of corn standing to prevent snow drifting had seen increased uptake. CEO Randy Sherzer explained that uptake has been limited partly due to compensation models not adequately accounting for lost production area.

Keith Reid added that while funding is available through several programs (Stewardship Grey Bruce, ALUS, and Grey-Sauble), logistical challenges including tile drainage complications remain barriers.

The committee also discussed wild chervil control in township road ditches, with Ardiel sharing Blue Mountains' successful communication strategy and spraying program.

Takeaways

• A March ice storm caused significant tree damage in parts of Grey County that will take years to remediate.

• Apple orchards in the region were largely protected by the lake effect, though growers had prepared emergency measures.

• The county's living snow fence program has seen limited uptake due to compensation and logistical challenges.

• Wild chervil spreading in road ditches is becoming a serious concern for farmers.

• Blue Mountains has implemented a successful wild chervil control program through effective communication and coordinated spraying.

52:00 - 1:05:00

52:00 - 1:05:00 | Transportation Services Update

“This is a map that shows the various road projects that are occurring this year on county roads. You can see the construction start date and construction end date.”

CEO Randy Sherzer provided a comprehensive update on Grey County's 2025 road capital projects, sharing a detailed map of planned construction work. The presentation covered seven major road projects spanning multiple municipalities across the county.

Highlighted projects included:

1. Grey Road 12:11.1km pulverize and pave reconstruction from May-September

2. Grey Road 9: 5.5km pulverize/pave plus 5km overlay from June-July

3. Grey Road 14: 5.4km pulverize/pave from July-August

4. Grey Road 25:11.3km overlay from July-August

5. Grey Road 119: 6.9km overlay in June

6. Grey Road 30: culvert replacements this year with paving planned for 2026

7. Grey Road 28: joint reconstruction project with Hanover

Additionally, intersection improvements will be made at Grey Road 1 and 14th Street West in Owen Sound, including traffic signal upgrades and AODA-compliant pedestrian access improvements.

Takeaways

• Grey County has seven major road projects planned for summer 2025 across the county.

• Projects include pulverize/pave reconstruction, overlay pavement preservation, culvert replacements, and guide rail upgrades.

• Most roads will remain open to traffic with alternating lane closures during construction.

• Several projects include widening road platforms and increasing paved shoulder width to improve safety.

• Project updates are available on the county website and through MLS 501.

1:05:00 - 1:24:50

1:05:00 - 1:24:50 | Other Business and Announcements

“ I'm happy to announce I put forth a notice of motion several weeks ago about reducing the provincial tax rate on Ontario-made craft cider. Craft cider was taxed at 60.4%, the same as fine wines. We have some craft cider breweries that are going out of business because they just are not making any money because of the tax.”

The committee concluded with several announcements and updates from members.

Councillor Gail Ardiel shared news of a successful advocacy initiative to reduce the provincial tax rate on Ontario-made craft cider from 60.4% (equivalent to wine) to approximately 34% (matching craft beer), effective August 1, 2025.

This change, initiated through a Town of Blue Mountains council motion, will significantly help local craft cider producers who use 100% Ontario-grown apples.

Chair Lori Smith announced the upcoming 60th anniversary of Grey-Bruce Farmers Week (January 7-12, 2026), noting that Ecological Day would be dissolved with sustainable topics integrated into all six remaining days.

She also highlighted Grey Ag Services' 25th anniversary and promoted upcoming agricultural events including the Ontario Forage Council's Forage Expo (June 26) and Grey Soil and Crop's crop walk with the Ontario Canola Growers Association (July 23).

Ardiel also reminded everyone about Local Food Week (June 2-8) and encouraged support for Ontario-grown products, particularly apples which faced challenges from US imports last year.

Takeaways

• The provincial tax rate on Ontario-made craft cider will be reduced from 60.4% to approximately 34% effective August 1, 2025.

• Grey-Bruce Farmers Week will celebrate its 60th anniversary January 7-12, 2026, with ecological/sustainable topics integrated across all six days.

• Grey Ag Services is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.

• Several agricultural events are upcoming including Forage Expo (June 26) and a Grey Soil and Crop walk (July 23).

• Local Food Week (June 2-8) emphasizes the importance of supporting Ontario-grown agricultural products.

Conclusion

The Grey County Agricultural Advisory Committee continues to serve as an important forum bridging municipal governance and the agricultural community.

Through initiatives like Experimental Acres, the committee is fostering innovative climate-resilient farming practices while also addressing policy concerns around land use, wildlife management, and infrastructure development that directly impact farming operations.

The meeting highlighted both challenges and opportunities facing Grey County's agricultural sector in 2025. From responding to extreme weather events and invasive weed pressures to celebrating policy wins like the craft cider tax reduction and marking significant anniversaries, the committee demonstrates the vital interconnection between supportive governance and sustainable agricultural advancement.

As climate change continues to affect agricultural production, collaborative efforts between farmers, municipalities, and conservation authorities become increasingly important.

Grey County's approach of testing experimental practices, gathering diverse stakeholder input on policies, and providing infrastructure improvements illustrates how rural communities can build resilience while supporting both agricultural livelihood and environmental stewardship for the future.