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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-09-05, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5. 1990. Award winners Five 4H members received awards for completing six 4H projects when they attended the achievement night of the 4H Farm Safety program at Brussels Public School Wednesday. Receiving awards were (left to right) Mark Kennedy, RR1, Fordwich; Leanne Vogels, RR1, Dublin; Melanie Cronin, RR 4, Seaforth; Barbara Wynja, RR 4, Seaforth and Jennifer DeJong, RR 4, Seaforth. Liberals hold agriculture forum New 4H program promotes leadership Despite excellent weather condi­ tions for farming operations, close to 150 persons attended Friday’s Liberal Agricultural Forum at the Goderich Township Community Centre. Of four panel members, former federal minister of agriculture Eugene Whelan was the most vocal. He started with a question, ‘‘How can they sit in Ottawa and watch agriculture go down the drain?” Mr. Whelan who has just returned from the west said crops out there are excellent, but prices are horrendous. Farm income in Saskatchewan is down 23 per cent. He continued, ‘‘Grain prices continue to be very low, but cereal prices in the grocery stores are sky high.” On Free Trade Mr. Whelan said, ‘‘How can the U.S. overlook its trading partner in this agree­ ment? Farmers in Michigan receiv­ ed $40 an acre for drought relief and in Canada it was $10 an acre”. Mr. Whelan, a firm believer in marketing boards said producers should have some say in what prices they get. He indicated there were elevators in Western Canada filled with buckwheat and buyers can’t be found and added, “There isn’t a marketing board for this commodity ” He criticized the Chicago Board of Trade saying, “When soybeans should have been $9.50, they were $5.50. Nobody should gamble with food.” Mr. Whelan continued, “The United States FDA is quickly eliminating marketing boards. We have to fight for their retention in Canada. The first one in our country was established for dairy products in 1928 in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia.” Former Ontario minister of agri­ culture Jack Riddell reiterated Whelan’s convictions on marketing boards saying, “We have to make sure they are not eliminated.” About Free Trade Mr. Riddell said, “We fought it, but most Conservative ads in favour were sponsored by U.S. firms. Mr. Riddell said the general economy poses challenges for farmers and doesn’t expect a real income growth for 1990-91. He said the present Ontario Liberal govern­ ment introduced 100 new farm programs in the last five years. The current Huron MPP said net income for Canadian farmers has dropped by 16 per cent. He is advo eating a National Grains Stabiliza­ tion Program and a new farm income assistance program. In answering the question re­ garding the need for this week’s provincial election Mr. Riddell said, “I wish Brian Mulroney had “the guts’ to call a federal election, so we could let him know how we feel.” Current Liberal federal agricul­ ture critic in Ottawa MP Ralph Ferguson said $20 million was leaving Canada annually in interest and dividends under Tory policies. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that the loss of the two-price wheat system resulting in a loss of $2 a bushel and the end of interest-free cash advances for grain were detrimental to Canadian farmers. On the native Canadian crisis in Quebec, Mr. Ferguson said, “I have four reserves in my riding and I’m concerned.” He continued, ‘‘Indians were our original citizens and these people know what is rightfully theirs. We better see that they get it.” The federal government is not protecting farmers and appears to be giving up on rural areas.” •- CO-OP Mr. Ferguson added, “All re­ source sectors in Canada are in trouble. This election is not just for Ontario. It’s for all of Canada. All of our livelihoods are at stake.” Huron riding Liberal candidate Jim Fitzgerald pointed out the need for a national agricultural program. He went on to say, “We need a policy to pick up the slack left by the Farm Credit Corporation with loans at affordable interest rates. FCC has become just a collection agency.” The local candidate continued, “Huron is the number one produc­ ing county in Ontario and many sectors of agriculture arejiurting. INSULTIMBER FENCES COST LESS AND LAST LONGER Installation Available Install this fall and avoid G.S.T. DROP IN AND SEE MY FENCE DISPLAY. ALL PRODUCTS IN USE. CALL TIM PRIOR 887-9648 BY JANE MUEGGE RURAL ORGANIZATION SPECIALIST Do you have what it takes to be a leader? We all have leadership ability, it’s just a matter of develop­ ing it by learning new skills. But what are these skills? Join the 1990 4-H Leadership Project and find out! For young people aged 15 to 21, the leadership project will give you lots of chances to try new roles and have fun at the same time. Some of your new found skills will cover social recreation and how to use it with groups; public speaking and how to use gestures and your voice effectively; com­ munication and how it helps groups to work well; motivation and how it helps us work better with others. The four common leadership styles and their different uses will also be featured in this project. Lots of activities and group discussions- will help you develop your new skills and knowledge. If you are interested in joining the leadership project, contact the Londesboro Co-op is pleased to provide farmer- owned grain & bean elevator facilities in Londesboro. By working together, farmers can build their own successful agri-business! - WHITE BEANS Fast Efficient Service! • Wagon Dumpers!! • Trucking Available!!! • Fair Grades & Prices!!!! LONDESBORO CO-OP LONDESBORO Elevator 523-4470 Office 523-9606 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food at 482-3428 or 1-800-265- 5170. Workshops for leaders will be held on Thursday, September 6 (evening) and on Friday, Septem­ ber 7 (daytime). Calf club plans for fair day Continued from page 15 4H quiz for this club. Steven Rintoul gave his report on the 75th anniversary celebrations held recently in Seaforth. Senior 4H projects were discuss­ ed and these are to be handed in to the leaders by August 24. 4H books are to be completed and handed in to the leaders on Achievement Day, Sept. 15 at Lucknow Fair. There will be a demonstration day on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the barn of Lee Rintoul in St. Helen’s. Members will be shown how to prepare their calf for the show ring.