The Rural Voice, 1980-09, Page 28RURAL NEWS IN BRIEF
Weaver producers want own group
The Ontario Weaner Producers are
rallying together to discuss the need for
an organization to represent their
interests.
The organizing committee is trying to
determine if weaner producers are
satisfied with the Ontario Pork Pro-
ducers Marketing Board. There are
weaner producers on the board. The
OPPMB mandate markets the finished
product.
One member of the OPPMB is Adrian
Vos. "I feel the best way to achieve
recognition would be to stay in the
OPPMB and unite your members and
then you will be a strong voice," he
said.
15 weaner producers are the initiators
of the organizational committee. They
feel they are not getting a fair deal,
partly because there was a subsidy that
went to the marketing end of the pork
production. The producers feel they are
losing S7 to $8 a weaner. A Weaner
Association would help to represent the
weaner producer adequately and fairly.
The chairman is Martin DuBruyn of
Exeter. Others on the working commit-
tee are Ron Gillespie of Drumbo,
secretary and Richard Young of Drumbo
treasurer. Three others are active
members: Rick Reaburn, Dashwood;
Herman Steffen, Lucan and Jim Barlett,
Drumbo.
After a brief welcome, Mr. DeBruyn
explained the objectives of the meeting
held inMitchell in mid-August. They
were: 1) to find out if the weaner
producers feel a separate organization
is needed, 2) to get a go ahead in the
structure for the organization, 3)
financing.
The motion on the first objective,
aimed at trying to form a working
Ontario Weaner Producer Organization,
was passed, although there were
several farmers who felt this new body
was not needed.
An alternative suggestion was to form
a committee with the OPPMB, but Mr.
DeBruyn felt this would not give the
weaner producers a strong enough
voice. A strong independent organiz-
ation would have better success, he
contended.
The second motion concerned arrang-
ing a structural format. The Ontario
Weaner Producers Organization would
be divideu into five districts: Northern
Ontario, Southern Ontario, Western
Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Central
Ontario.
Districts will have representatives
from each of their counties. The number
of representatives would be determined
by the number of sow and weaner
producers in each area.
The counties would have regular
meetings and the representatives would
present problems at district meetings.
District representatives would then take
the problems to the Ontario meetings.
The third motion, involving financing
was passed.
The discussion at the Degtnning and
between the motions was very intense
and often heated; however, the majority
seemed to feel an organization is
needed to protect their interests.
It's fall fair time in Western Ontario
Fall fair fans no longer have to wait
until September to enjoy the carnival
spirit. Many communities are schedul-
ing their annual fairs throughout the
summer to avoid the fall rush.
"About 20 per cent of the 235 Ontario
fairs are held in the summer months,"
says Art Peppin, director of the
agricultural and horticultural societies
branch of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Food. "But most of the fairs are
held in September."
Agricultural fairs and exhibitions
offer something for everyone. Local
talent shows, horse, sheep and cattle
judging contests, craft exhibits, fair
queen competitions, tractor pulls, and
community parades are just a few of the
attractions. And for people with a taste
for the unusual, some fairs host wrist
wrestling, nail driving, and greased pig
catching competitions.
"There's no doubt that fairs are still
very popular," says Mr. Peppin. "For
example, a new fair is opening up this
year near Tillsonburg. I think fairs serve
a need for people in the area to get
together and enjoy competitions."
Agricultural fairs have been an Ontario
tradition since 1792. and their popular-
ity has grown with age.
Perhaps one reason for the increasing
popularity of rural fairs is their ability to
change with the times. But despite
certain changes, agricultural fairs
haven't lost their rural charm. Fairs
bring out a volunteer spirit, and to
urbanites, the lair's rural flavor is
enticing.
"A lot of people from the city have
never seen a livestock show. Also, many
have rural roots and they make a habit
of going home to the fair," says Mr.
Peppin. "We consider fairs to be the
showplace of agriculture. where urban
and rural people can meet."
Christian Farmers move to new office
On July 3 the office of the Christian
Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO)
moved from Drayton into new facilities
at 92 Elora Street (Highway No. 9), in
Harriston. After nine years the CFFO
head office had finally outgrown its
former location. The Christian Farmers
Federation of Ontario is one of Ontario's
three general farm organizations. The
other two are the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture and the National Farmers
Union. Membership in the CFFO is
open to an L.nr,cians wno are in
ngrcernent with the basis and purpose
of the Federation. There are currently
650 members in the CFFO. Many of
them are members of the 17 affiliated
local associations throughout the prov-
ince, from Thunder Bay to Niag.ira
Peninsula and from Ottawa to Chatham.
CFFO fieldstatt consists of Elbert van
Donkersgoed of Drayton as Research
and Policy Director, and Martin Olden-
garm of Harriston as General Manager
and Fieldman.
THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1980 PG. 27