A1-Is Agriculture the only economic driver (of the rural economy)?

 Participant Video:

Is Agriculture the only economic driver (of the rural economy)? What other sectors/activities can contribute? Where are the Jobs?

Gary Clarke: Ag jobs have declined. Other sectors are substantially larger employers. Not enough promotion of non-agricultural economic activity.

What about tourism?

Daniel Beals: long term need to have agriculture, food security, want to keep ability to produce food.

Stacey Ferris: There are jobs peripheral to Ag in other sectors like Ag. tourism, food processing.

Gary Clarke: Artists and Artisans not integrated into rural economy (we have a high concentration of them in this region). There are other assets like rural trails, UNESCO designations (Frontenac biosphere, Rideau Canal),

Earl Kerr, sportfishing needs support (stocking, smarter restrictions) - affects tourism.

Chander Datta: manufacturing and other non-ag activities can locate in rural areas. Has advantages over large urban areas like shorter commute times.

Stacey Ferris: many farmers need second jobs to supplement income.

Gary Clarke: but we are losing so many manufacturing jobs

Ted Hsu: renewable energy, rural areas have the land for that, and that cannot be taken away.

Gary Clarke: also ecosystems services

Stewart Fast: is there a conflict between economic development and ecosystems services?

Chander Datta: Manufacturing is not necessarily dead in Ontario. It should not be abandoned our valuing adding activities.

Mike Hendren: free trade and big box stores are a problem for eastern Ontario. price of oil will encourage consumption of local products.

Dan Beals: integration of different parts of economy (Ag and non Ag), removing some assumptions, looking out for new value-added activities.

Mike Hendren: Integrated Community Sustainbility Plans will play a role in accomplishing this.

Chander Datta: we should stop being branch plants and try to be the best in the world. don't be bound by old traditions or ideas of what the rural economy should be.

Ted Hsu: we don't want to be left behind with US investing heavily in green energy. we have a lot of land - what's needed for renewable energy. (integration of renewable energy on farms)

Gary Clarke: Ag is only one of many economic activities and it should not be the only focus. We should talk about it so people know. Geneaology is an example of a non-traditional economic activity.

Chander Datta: Eastern Ontario is not an especially agrarian region, that's a viewpoint that should be changed. best prospect lies in right right combination of Ag and non-Ag, exclusive of government employment.