The Rural Voice, 1982-02, Page 29Grey County Federation of Agriculture
Newsletter
Former ag rep Grant Sweiger honoured
Close to 100 people from Grey
County's farming community attended a
fund-raising dinner held at the Rocklyn
Community Centre in December to honour
the memory of Grant Sweiger through the
establishment of a trust fund in his name.
Sweiger had become well-known to the
rural residents of the county as the
provincial Agricultural Representative for
21 years until his death in November 1980.
Following his graduation from the Agri-
cultural College in Guelph in 1949. he
moved to Markdale. Four years later he
was appointed associate ag. rep.. and was
promoted to county rep in 1959.
Wishing to recognize his enormous
contribution, the Grey County Federation
of Agriculture initiated the formation of a
trust fund which will provide two cash
awards annually for a period of twenty
years. One will be presented to a 4-H
member and one to a Junior Farmer in the
county, beginning in the fall of 1982. The
fund, expected to total about 53000, will
be administered by a committee of
appointees; one each from the Grey
County Council, the Grey County office of
OMAF, and the Federation of Agricul-
ture. This year those representatives are
county warden Lois Urstadt, ag rep Barry
Tolton, and Ken McIntyre of the OFA.
Each year the names of the award
winners will be recorded on a plaque to be
mounted in the OMAF office in Markdale.
According to Don Hill, a vice president
of the federation, the award was judged a
fitting tribute in recognition of Sweiger's
special concern for young farmers during
his long years of service.
Grey County Federation - December Directors' Meeting
The December directors' meeting of Grey County Federation of
Agriculture was well attended.
Susan White, representing The Rural Voice, told of the reasons
for the price increase from 50 cents to 52. per member, and
answered questions. No decision will be made until Bruce and
Huron Counties have been contacted.
Carl Spencer, chairman of the Grey -Bruce survival group, was
present to explain how the group hopes to help farmers in
financial difficulties. Carl answered many questions quite
capably. The directors decided to support the survival group
morally.
A news release was received from O.F.A. re the action
committee which was formed to implement the recommendations
of the emergency task force.
A manure management seminar will be held February 2nd and
3rd at the Holiday Inn downtown, Toronto, and the OAC
agricultural conference was January Sth, 6th and 7th at the Royal
Canadian Legion in Guelph.
The federation was asked to set up a night to present the
Tommy Cooper Award in conjunction with Boost Grey -Bruce
Week. Some suggestions were received.
The O.F.A. directors' report was Oven by Ruth Hamill and
Murray ...lame. illi Vrey Kesouit on IIcreasing the per diems
was lost but mileage and meal allowances were raised.
Bob Leslie reminded directors there were only a few days before
the price increase and to phone any last-minute memberships into
O.F.A. Ken McIntyre told of Bob Leslie's love for hunting and
wished him well in his new position with O.F.A. Bob was
presented with a gift from the directors of Grey Federation.
Peter Mason, of Canfarm, spoke briefly.
Ray Robertson was nominated as the federation's re-
presentative on the Grant Sweiger committee.
The committee reports were given. The education committee
reported that the finals of the public speaking contest will be in
Durham on March 1 Ith.
It was suggested that the media be invited to the directors'
meetings. Visits will be made to the township councils in the near
future.
Ray Robertson attended the farm labour pool convention and
suggested that requests for help should be sent well in advance.
Ken McIntyre reported on the committee's workshop which
was well attended and hopefully new ideas will make the
committee more effective this year.
Farm and country lists were left until the next meeting, or an
executive meeting.
Annual Meeting
of the Grey County
Pork Producers
Association
Feb. 4 1982
Legion Hall
Markdale
Luncheon 12 o'clock
Business Meeting at 1.30 pm
Guest speaker
John S Black vice-president UCO
THE RURAL VOICE/FEBRUARY 1982 PG. 27