O Canada led by Sue

 

Jeff welcomed everyone to the meeting including our two guests: Roger Sevigny (visiting Rotarian from St Pierre et Miquelon) and Thomas Harrington, guest speaker.

 

 

Roger is happy Constance arrived home safely after an unexpected detour via Toronto. He is happy she sold all 35 cookbooks raising $505 towards Polio. He is already looking forward to her return visit next year.

 

Sue is happy for the wonderful gathering on Friday evening. Nice to see everyone in person. She is also happy that Joop’s cooking club were in yesterday.

 

Garth is happy for an absolutely fantastic evening Friday. Thank you Sue and Joop for hosting and arranging the fog banks and wisps of clouds, so perfect.

 

Gary also echoed Garth’s sentiments. Good meal and fellowship and of course the movement of the clouds!

 

Bill is happy for his first 2 weeks of presidency; though he admitted to missing regular calls with Phil. (Phil admitted to Bill withdrawal as well.)

 

Jeff is happy to be working on the reopening plan for Flower Cart. Hoping to open in the next 3-4 weeks.

 

 

 

Bill began by acknowledging a quiet first couple weeks. He reiterated the event on Friday in support of Polio was excellent. He was priveledged to speak and introduce special guests including Louise Horne (past DG), Stella Roy (district Polio rep) and more. (See the news report for more detailed event information). He noted that only 53% of clubs worldwide support Polio eradication. The Kentville Club continues to support both financially and on the ground by taking part in immunization missions. This was Constance’s last event with us. She sold out of Cookbooks and raised $505. Thank you to Susan and Joop for hosting the event.

 

There will be a couple ZOOM training sessions set up to involve more Kentville Rotarians in hosting meetings. The first is Tuesday at 4pm (a separate email with details has been sent). At least one person from each committee should consider attending this training.

 

As there is no secretary’s report this week, Bill reminded the Board of the meeting on Tuesday at 8am. Also, a cheque for $23,000 was presented to Valley Search and Rescue in support of their Mobile Incident Command Centre project. 

 

 

Secretary’s Report: None this week

 

 

Jeff introduced Thomas Harrington. He is from Glenholme, NS and has worked as a Precision Agriculture Consultant and Certified Crop Advisor for Green Diamond Equipment since 2017. Thomas graduated from the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture in 2014 and has previously worked in wild blueberry crop production and research. In his current role, he is based out of Charlottetown, PEI and works on precision agriculture product sales and support to all of Green Diamond’s customers in the Maritimes. 

Guest Speaker: Thomas is speaking to us today about Precision Farming in the Maritimes

“Precise” farming incorporates technology that may include: automatic tractor steering, drones, crop sensors and yield monitors. It is made possible by satellite (GPS) systems and has the ability to precisely locate a position in a field. The goal is to farm more efficiently (e.g. less time, fewer inputs).

 

Farmers have adopted this technology because it has helped reduce inputs (less fuel, time, fertilizer and pesticide); enables them to maximize the amount of usable land; allows for consistent row spacing; reduces operator fatigue and results in fewer field trips and less compaction. A fair estimate is that GPS guidance systems reduce all inputs by 10%.

 

Tractor GPS receivers with a basic signal can accurately track to +/- 12 inches (useful for tillage, fertilizer spreading and spraying) while an advanced signal accurately tracks to +/- 1 inch (useful for planting, cultivating between rows, tree planting and strip tillage.)

 

The first systems were not accurate, and mostly useful for yield mapping. The first automatic steering tractor was in 1994, first commercially available system (branded Autotrac) available in 2002 and it is estimated that 70% of all crops in North America are planted using automatic guidance. The systems have come a long way from the initial “mess” of wires and cumbersome tech parts to the sleek system pictured above (looking more like a pilot’s cockpit or gaming system). Multiple systems can be used as shown in the Advanced guidance Potato planting photo above. The system is so precise it can control automatic overlapping, as demonstrated in the Corn Planter photo.

 

Like all technology, it can be monitored from a mobile app. Two tractors can work in tandem exchanging information back and forth to enable them to work one field together. Drone technology is being used to monitor fields, noting areas where problems may be occurring. The data captured can be used to help farmers make decisions for future planting (identifying issues or noting where yield is better than other areas, farmers can then take this information for further investigation like taking soil samples to optimize future crops.)

 

Following a brief Q&A, Wally thanked Thomas. We have been wanting to have someone come speak to us about this technology for some time, and it is clear Thomas was the right person. It is fascinating how this technology is being used and how it is changing the way we farm today!!! Thank you for sharing Thomas.

 

 

Jeff: PWD is meeting Thursday at noon this week.

 

Ellen: Programs committee met and have things queued up until September. A meetup is being planned for August 5. Discussions are being held regarding options for a safe way to return to face-to-face meetings.

 

Phil: Reminder of the Tulip fundraiser – 25 bulbs/box $25. Order yours now and get the money into the club before the end of July. Cheques can be dropped off at the Kent Maynard & Associates offices in Downtown Kentville. Make cheques payable to Rotary Club of Kentville. Email Phil for details: philwarren52@gmail.com and tell him how many boxes you would like. Please make sure that your order and payment comes in before July 31. Thank you for supporting the push to end Polio forever.

 

Chase the Ace – Bill was the lucky ticket holder....

Club Members wait in anticipation as Gerry reveals...

the 3 of Diamonds….It's a Roll over!!!