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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaluting Huron County's Agricultural Industry, 1987-03-25, Page 16PAGE A16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1987. Centre may be satellite for Universities Continued from page A15 in and use computers at the Centre but that was in the day when computers cost $6,000. With com­ puters now available for $1,000 most farmers interested in compu­ ters will buy their own. The centre has been host to introductory courses on compu­ ters, however, with farmers com­ ing in on Wednesday nights three weeks in a row to learn the first steps in working with the electronic wizards. Using the facilities for such meetings and seminars is one of the goals of the organization. The belief is that it is easier for people to Assoc, wants pesticide users certified The Directors of the Huron County Farm and Home Safety Association at their last meeting passed a resolution calling for certification of agricultural pesti­ cide users. With input from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food staff, commodity group represen­ tatives, chemical retailers and other invited guests, the Directors passed the following resolution: * ‘Whereas, the use of agricultur­ al pesticides potentially, can affect both users and non-users, and whereas, the use and avail­ ability of agricultural chemicals is coming under greater scrutiny, therefore, be it resolved “Some type of legislation be passed to compel anyone purchasing chemi­ cals, to first complete an Aware­ ness Course on Pesticide Usage, Toxicity and efficacy, but legisla­ tion must first provide for thorough user input and approval before passing.’’ The Resolution was forwarded to the parent association, Ontario Farm Safety Association Incorpor­ ated, askingfor their support of the motion. In keeping with their motto that safety should be first and foremost in everyone’s mind, they lent their support to “Parents for Junior Farmers raise $16,000 March Conference was the beginning of the new Junior Farmer year. At the annual meeting the new executive was elected, by law changes in the constitution were made, and resol­ utions proposing new ideas and policy changes were voted on. Aside from the annual meeting, delegates attended many interest­ ing seminars reflecting the theme “Ideas In Action - Focus ‘87.’’ Another group of local Junior Farmers travelled to Ottawa on Friday, where they went sightsee­ ing and attended the annual banquetanddance. Atthe banquet two scholarships and many travel opportunities were awarded. Every year the Provincial Asso­ ciation selects a charity and holds a fundraising drive for it. This year Junior Farmers chose the Child­ ren's Wish Foundation of Canada, which is an organization that grants the last wish of terminally ill children. Huron County Junior Farmers raised $300 for the charity. They also contributed a sheepskin rug (kindly donated by the Old Mill) to the Zone seven package, which was auctioned off Saturday morning. The $6,600 raised at the auction supplemented the amount pledged by the indivi­ dual clubs, counties and zones. At the end of the auction, the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario presented a cheque for $16,000 to a representative of the Children’s Wish Foundation. learn in small groups than in large ones. The Centre’s offices offer a more welcoming atmosphere for learning, more homelike than meeting in high school auditor­ iums. The goal of the Centre is to be a total information centre where farmers can find out about, and learn about, anything they want to know about farming. But Mr. Purdon warns prospective mem­ bers that they’ll only get as much out of the information centre as they put into it. The centre doesn’t promise to do anything for people, just have the equipment and the information to help them help themselves. Daycare’’ encouraging municipal­ ities and the County towns to encourage the establishment of Daycare Centres. In keeping with the trend of the meeting to promote safety, the Directors also passed a resolution requesting the Provincial Govern­ ment to establish a grant program to make funds available to indivi­ dual farm operations for the purchase of safety related equip­ ment. In other business, the Directors authorized the purchase of 150 signs with the slogan ‘ ‘Caution Go Slowly.’’ These signs are approxi­ mately 11” x 17’’ printed on a yellow weather-proof backing. They are available from Directors of the Huron County Safety Association for $1.00. We can keep your babies warm! AND SAVE YOU MONEY GUARANTEED! Cut your fuel consumption by as much as half while you enjoy all the advantages of oil heat. Ask us about the incredible Eneroil Comforter™ '4 oil furnace and ComfortPlus™ add-on-unit. I Because, whether your baby needs 70° or 90°, this easy-to-install system will provide an ? 41 unbeatable 95% efficiency while you and yours enjoy state-of- the-art Safety, Comfort and Reliability. The modern age of heating is here, at Edward Fuels, notv.’ And it could pay for itself in just two years! See Your Edward Fuels Heating Expert Today We're offering NO PAYMENTS TILL SEPTEMBER 1987 Plus ... Complete Financing Is Available! DWARD FUELS GODERICH CLINTON TEESWATER 524-8386_________482-7381________392-6100 WE ARE YOUR ENEROIL APPROVED DEALER Membership in the organization is $225 a year and about 60 member families have joined at present. The area served goes from near Listowel in the east to Lake Huron and from Port Elgin to Kippen. The centre’s board of directors include: Murray Gaunt of Wingham as chairman; Wayne Cantelon, RR 4, Seaforth; Fred Phillips, RR 7, Lucknow; Robert Pike, Wingham; Mr. Purdon; James Ross, RR 3, Wingham; Marvin Snell, RR 3, Blyth; John Underwood, RR 1, Winghamand Douglas Walker, RR 1, Belgrave. In addition to the individual members there are nearly 30 business sponsors of the Centre, ranging from local farm supply businesses to municipalities to stock brokers. It’s not a cheap centre to run. The computer-satellite hookup that feeds the information on the Centre's communications cen­ tre not cheap to operate. market costs $500 a month and along with the rent bill and other expenses the Centre’s board of directors is looking for funding to help pay the bills. It has applied for some grants and if they become available it would allow the Centre to do more things. One of the most exciting pros­ pects for the centre is the possibility it may hook up several universities as a place where people can get university level courses without having to go off to the cities where the universities are located. The negotiations began first with the University of Guelph but now include University of Western Ontario, Wilfred Laur­ ier University, University of Wa­ terloo and University of Windsor. These plans would allow people to upgrade their education in the comfortable surroundings of the Centre without being intimidated by the university setting. Despite the talk of the last few years that farmers have to be better businessmen, Bill Purdon thinks We carry a complete line of animal and poultry feeds BULK and BAGGED We also stock animal health products T.B. Allen Ltd. LONDESBORO 523-9606 1-800-265-9000 that farmers aren’t really busi­ nessmen at all. They are in farming for the love of it. If they were really businessmen they’d take their money and invest it where they could get a better return. Farmers, however, have to be the most versatile and the smartest people in business. The Farm Information Centre aims to help make its members among the smartest of the farmers.