The Rural Voice, 1981-01, Page 35Grey County Federation of Agriculture
Newsletter
OFA convention
was progressive
The theme "Opportunity" for this years annual Federation
convention reflects the way the economy is and appears to be
heading. We, as people who are involved in the agricultural
industry must make every possible effort to cut our dependency
on financial support from the government.
This convention, as usual, has been a melting pot for the
agricultural concerns of the whole province. Much good is
accomplished when problems of the various geographical areas
are presented, and receive the support of the combined group -
issues like energy. hunter damage, lack of development funds in
the North western regions. threat_ of aggregate mining and
waste disposal.
Our members' united support stengthens OFA. We farmers
need more and more help as the non-residents demand their life
style be brought to the country. An odour on the Toronto street
was just as bad as any freshly spread manure.
This convention took a progressive step forward in
strengthening the cause of agriculture.
Bessie Saunders
President
On the agenda
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture held their convention in
Toronto at the Holiday Inn November 24 to 27.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Langer, Flesherton (regional Director for
Grey East), were there with John Giese (Grey South-west) and
Ruth Hamill (Grey North). Other representatives were Bessie
Saunders, President of Grey County FOA, Robert Taylor, Past
President. Grey County FOA, and Ray Robertson, county
Vice -President . Reps from co-operatives, service and
educational, and marketing boards were among the
conventioneers.
Proceedings started Tuesday. A few of the 12 committee
recommendations and 41 resolutions were discussed each day.
Not all were accepted and passed and there was quite a bit of
input from the delegates.
Among the recommendations were: abolition of capital gains
tax; removal of all tax on agricultural equipment that needs to be
converted to the metric system; and completion of county
inventory of farms.
Some subjects in the resolutions were: removal of compliance
certificate on building permits in zoning by-laws; need for
definition of a 'farmer' especially in relation to so-called
'week -end farmers'; have all grains priced by weight instead of
by bushel; future direction of farming; weed infestation in public
lands; acid rain on land; tile drainage funds; standardization of
hydraulic hose connectors; machinery servicing; energy;
discontinuance of metric system; damage by deer; pricing of
agricultural fertilizers and chemicals.
John Giese, R.R. 4, Durham, was recommended -to sit on the
Environment Committee and Bill Hodges, of Mount Forest, was
nominated to the Hydro Committee.
The two most controversial questions at the Ministers'
Breakfast Thursday were the Cayuga project (dump) for toxic
chemicals over which MPP Harry Parrott, minister of the
environment was grilled, and 'kick -backs' from farmers to chain
stores in which MPP Lorne Henderson the minister of
agriculture was quizzed.
The morning gathering was orderly, well-run and interesting,
with questions being straightforward and without malice or
anger.
Opposition leaders Michael Cassidy and Stuart Smith
attended the banquet Wednesday. There was also an agriculture
representative from Quebec at the head table.
New Grey F ofA president Bessie Saunders, left, confers with
second vice-president. Ken McIntyre.
GREY -BRUCE FARMERS WEEK
HANOVER COLISEUM
FEDERATION DAY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1981
9:30 Registration and coffee
10:00 Farm safety - Michael Miller
10:30 Dr. Les Emery - Energy Alternatives
11:45 Farm Machinery Agency - Bob Misch
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Acts of Understanding (Trespass Act)
Robert Taylor
1:30 OFA Insurance Programs -Grant Wallace
2:00 Canfarm - Lindsay Barfoot
2:30 Milk and apple break
3:00 John Phillips -Editor of Farm & Country
3:30 Accuweather - Environment Canada
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1981 PG.35