Title
Memorandum of Understanding Between Parkland County and Green Hectares
Proposed Motion(s)
That Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding to establish a partnership between Parkland County and Green Hectares
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration recommends that the Memorandum of Understanding to establish a partnership between Parkland County and Green Hectares receive approval.
Purpose
The purpose fo the MOU is to formalize the working relationship between Parkland County and Green Hectares into a formal partnership to implement The County Connection Program in Parkland County.
Summary
The County and Green Hectares commenced working together in 2011 when a digital training program under the Rural Road Show was piloted in the County in co-operation with TriCALA . Green Hectares refined its program and in 2012 launched "The County Connector" which enables people in the County to more easily tap into a network of educational programs, training and business services, and brings them to people living in rural areas. Community facilitators were hired and trained to help deliver the programs including, "Rural Reserver" an online reservation system for rural spaces, "Rural Voices" a speakers bureau, "Rural Tech" a program designed to bridge the technology gap in rural communities using mobile computer labs, "E-Resource Centre" for business information; and an "Entrepreneur Exchange" that uses mentors to help young entrepreneurs improve their business business.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Strategic Plan - Agriculture: Goal 1 Strategy 1 - Increase education and training opportunities for the public; Strategy 2 - Incorporate the use of technology to advance agricultural practices; Strategy 3 - Promote and further the economic benefits of agriculture; Governance -Goal 2 Strategy 2 - Seek out joint project opportunities that will benefit our communities
ICSP - Initiative 12.2 Establish a demonstration farm with Green Hectares
Financial Impact:
Cost: $56,000 2012 Operating Budget; $56,000 2013 Operating Budget
Source of Funding: MSI Operating 2012; Restricted Surplus-Contingencies 2013
Other