Development plan for the agricultural zone
Pilot project in Brome-Missisquoi
The Brome-Missisquoi MRC, 
as well as 7 other MRCs of Quebec, have obtained a financial aid from the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) to conduct a pilot project for the elaboration of a development plan for its agricultural zone. The whole population is directly concerned by what goes on in the local agricultural field.
This projects aims to supply a practical follow-up to the Commission’s work, especially the 44th of the 49 main recommendations of the Rapport de la Commission sur l’avenir de l’agriculture et de l’agroalimentaire québécois (Rapport Pronovost). The CAAAQ held public sessions and received over seven hundred memoirs in 2007 before publishing its report in the beginning of 2008. The report looks into the multifunction aspect of agriculture and the territory in which it is practised.
In fact, everything that concerns agriculture in Quebec and related activities was discussed: in the forefront (research and development, cherche et développement, supplies and services, culture and breeding practices…) and the latter (transformation and distribution of products, consumption, impacts…) production. Notably, the report covers financing and insurance of enterprises in this domain, government services, agriculture zones, territory occupancy, employment, economic development, globalization, marketing of products in Quebec and abroad, agriculture unions, the huge environment file and many other subjects. This agriculture world is, at the same time, complex and tentacular.
It is in this stride and that of 2 other reports that have just been made public (that of Mr Michel R. Saint-Pierre, concerning financial support programmes for agriculture and that of Mr Bernard Ouimet, on the subject of agriculture territory protection and regional development) that is conducted the pilot project for the elaboration of the development plan for the agricultural zone of the MRC.
These objectives concern us all because each of us wishes to have easy access to wholesome products in sufficient quantity as well as maintaining an agriculture which respects the environment and natural scenery. Therefore, during the process, 2 stages of public consultations and public meetings with the representatives of the main interested groups (agriculture, processed food, forest and tourism domains, elected representatives, ministries and government organizations, environmental groups, etc.) are planned. These meetings will inform the population and allow them to express an opinion on the different themes that are addressed. All must be analyzed, planned and then structured so that the agricultural zone develops in a way to always serve the interests of all the communities, local as well regional. A limited working committee has been set up for the preparation of the plan which will be presented in June 2010.
An enlarged follow-up committee will support the working committee, even guiding it on occasion, so as to cover all the aspects of this important regional project.
Furthermore, a local and regional communication plan has been established so that the population may follow the file’s progress. The MRC team is supported in this project by a consultant, Yvon Pesant, geographer and rural development advisor. All comments and suggestions are welcome at the Brome-Missisquoi MRC
: 450 266-4900, ext. 242
pdza@mrcbm.qc.ca
Auberge Knowlton celebrates its 160 years of existence
A fresco to mark the event
Still in activity after 160 years, Auberge Knowlton offers food and lodging to tired travellers that arrive by car or by bus instead of by Mr Pickle’s stagecoach. The establishment has been modernized over the years while conserving its unique character that has been its trademark during so many decades.
To celebrate this important anniversary, the owners of the Auberge ordered a fresco from Marie-Andrée Leblond, well-known Eastern Townships artist, represented by Galerie Knowlton. She created an acrylic on wood fresco (5 X 8 feet) for the hotel’s restaurant, Le Relais. She was inspired by the fact that Le Relais and Lake Brome Ducks share a long history together. Her piece, entitled: « The ducks’ revenge », represents the restaurant’s terrace with, instead of a human clientele, the guests are ducks… the Lake Brome Ducks, of course.
The fresco also refers to the art galleries and different events such as the Knowlton Festival, Letters from Knowlton and the Duck Festival with a duck musician, a duck painter and a letter written by a duck, tasting regional wines offered by the restaurant.
The most ancient hotel of the region, Auberge Knowlton has maintained its personality over the years and figures on the « Chemin des Cantons », an itinerary that guides visitors on an architecture and heritage circuit through the Eastern Townships. The hotel was chosen by Fodor's Travel, an important American travel editor, as a « Fodor's Choice », every year since 2006 and is recommended by important travel experts: Ulysse, Petit Futé and Lonely Planet.
The auberge also caters to the needs of cyclists as member of Vélo Québec. It is also member of Agricotours as « Auberge du Passant » and is « Ami » de la Route des Vins de Brome-Missisquoi, a group which promotes the excellent wines of the region.
For additional information
www.aubergeknowlton.ca
Ms. Signy Stephenson
signy@aubergeknowlton.ca
450 242-6886.
Take advantage of the Ecocentre being open on Saturdays
The MRC and the Régie intermunicipale d’élimination de déchets solides de Brome-Missisquoi (RIEDSBM) invite citizens to bring their household hazardous waste (HHW), their construction material and other bulky refuse to the Ecocentre on Saturdays September 19 and October 17. Centre is then open from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Fees are to be expected for residential construction material and bulky refuse. Also, citizens must present 2 proofs of identity, of which one must contain residential address.
Please note that the Ecocentre is open all year on weekdays from Monday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM to noon and from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
The Régie is located at 2500 Saint-Joseph in Cowansville. For all additional information, please dial 450 263-2351.
Do you have any news of general interest to share with us?
bbm@cldbm.qc.ca Next Deadline: September 30 , 2009 / Next edition: October 21 , 2009
749 Principale, Cowansville (Québec) J2K1J8
Tél. : 450 266-4928 Télec. : 450 266-6141
www.brome-missisquoi.ca
