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The Citizen, 2013-04-18, Page 25THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013. PAGE 25. Daryl Ball from the OntarioMinistry of Agriculture, Food andRural Affairs told Huron CountyCouncil at their April 10 meeting that there is a shortage of skilled farm workers in the community. Ball, appearing before council at its monthly Committee of the Whole meeting, told council that one of the challenges that needs to be addressed in the world of agriculture, specifically in Huron County, is the lack of skilled andexperienced workers in the area forfarm operations.The issue was first raised by Goderich’s Deb Shewfelt who said he felt the county’s low unemployment rate might be a bit misleading for some. Shewfelt said that while the county’s unemployment rate is only five per cent, far lower than the provincial and national averages, it could be misleading because there is still a lack of skilled labourers in thefield of agriculture.Ball said that Shewfelt is correctand that there is a lack of those in Huron County who are proficient with things like farm equipment and complex machinery, but that is a problem that is being felt all across the province. Ball also reported to council on the Growing Forward II program, a program being rolled out by both the federal and provincial governments that will provide $417 million tofarmers throughout Ontario over thenext five years.He told councillors that unlike other programs in the past, Growing Forward II funding will be awarded to the most deserving applicants, rather than on a first-come-first- serve basis. Information sessions on the program, he said, will be coming this summer. Ball also spoke about the agri- food summit that was held late last month at the Regional Equine andAgricultural Centre of Huron(REACH). He said the summit dealtwith such topics as accessing capital, non-traditional funding and various other topics. Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn, who attended the summit, said it was a great day for those involved and that those are the kinds of events that are needed to help raise awareness throughout the province on various agriculture-related topics. Shewfelt calls unemployment rate misleading Business Directory Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS Large & Small Trucks fridge carts - piano dollys- moving blankets Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement Passenger Vans full size or mini GODERICH TOYOTA 344 Huron Rd. 519-524-9381 GODERICH 1-800-338-1134 NEW CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURAL RENOVATIONS RESIDENTIAL Call 519-527-1538 Tarion Home Warranty Builders THE ZAHND TEAM P.O. 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