The Prince Edward Island Certified Organic Producers Co-operative passed a new bylaw allowing for associate membership, at the annual meeting of the COPC held in Charlottetown April 22, 2014.
“Many Islanders want to be part of the organic movement” stated incoming President Sandy Mackay
“So the Board recommended and the membership agreed to allow people that support the COPC to join the COPC. These associate members will have all the rights and privileges except voting or holding office within the COPC” stated President MacKay
Other highlights of the annual meeting were the report of outgoing President Fred Dollar, who highlighted the work of the COPC over the past four years, Deputy Minister of Agriculture John MacQuarrie discussing the recent trade mission with Taiwan and the opportunities for organic farming expansion on PEI to serve the over 35 million people who are looking for organic food. The meetings also heard from John Jamieson from the Federation of Agriculture and Joyce Kelly Executive Director of the COPC.
Elections were held and Amy Smith (Heart Beet Organics farm in Darlington) and Jennifer Campbell (Jen & Derek’s Organic Farm in Wilmot Valley). They join Chiel Middelkamp, Drew Jeffery, Sandy MacKay and Matt Dykerman to make up the Board of Directors.
The membership spent a good deal of the evening reviewing the results of the recent survey of the membership to assist in identifying for the Board, the future direction of the COPC. Alan Miller has been contracted to present the final results of the survey and discussions of the meeting last night and will present these findings to the Board of Directors.
The meeting ended with a presentation by Chiel Middelkamp on behalf of the membership to Fred Dollar for his work as President over the past four years.
Immediately following the annual meeting the Board elected Sandy MacKay President, Chiel Middelkamp – Vice President, Jennifer Campbell – Secretary and Drew Jeffery Treasurer.
For further information contact Sandy MacKay President by phone at 902 888-7456 or Joyce Kelly at 902-894-9999.