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The Rural Voice, 1983-04, Page 39ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS The Farm Financial Advisory Service (FFAS) is rapidly taking shape. It will be fully functional by the end of March. Most county federations have out to- gether groups of individuals who will be able to work with farmers requesting help. These local teams will call on OFA for back up assistance when necessary. OFA has been providing individual assistance to farmers for months. The FFAS will integrate this service into a province wide network. Ralph Barrie said a major factor making the FFAS a success is the excellent response from farmers and professionals volunteering their ser- vices." The FFAS could never have been formed without this assistance. It's heartening to see Ontario farmers standing together and helping their neighbours," Barrie said. OFA hopes the banks and OMAF will co-operate and play a supportive role restoring as many farmers as possible to some semblance of economic health. Legislation dealing with financial crises in this country allows the credi- tor almost total control. The Canadian Farm Survival Association and the On- tario Federation of Agriculture have been arguing for months that Bill C-653 (Ralph Ferguson's bill) be imple- mented immediately. This allows the creditor and the debtor to rearrange an impossible debt situation, probably to the advantage of both, and have the re- arrangement legally binding on both parties. Farming cannot support the high fluctuating interest rates of the past several years. OFA has been lobbying several years to obtain affordable inter- est rates for our industry, without many significant results. In summary, OFA believes the FFAS is only the first step to financial recovery. We also need new Legislation, improved credit policies and we all must become better marketers of our produce. Farmers looking for help from the OFA Farm Financial Advisory Service may contact OFA head office in Toronto at 416-485-3333 or any local federation director for referral to a local team.❑ WEED GUIDE AVAILABLE OMAF publication 75 "Guide to Chemi- cal Weed Control" is now available at the OMAF offices. Spray recommenda- tions are given in metric units. OMAF says these should be simpler to inter- pret than last year's issue. Publication 296 "Field Crop Recom- mendations" will be available soon. Pick up your copies at the Agricultural Office or ask your suppliers if they have copies available. ❑ PG. 38 THE RURAL VOICE, APRIL 1983 IN THE NEWS OFA PRESIDENT DOING THE ROUNDS Following a busy four days of kitchen meetings, meeting with bankers and country federation directors in Perth and Huron, Ralph Barrie, O.F.A. president ended up in a car accident on his way to speak at the Turnberry/Howick annual meeting. In spite of being shaken up he gave a very informative speech after which he received a thank you gift from Hans Rasmussen, Howick vice-president and congratulations from Tony McQuail, Huron County president. NEW HOWICK EXECUTIVE Almost 200 farmers attended the Howick/Turnberry annual meeting to hear O.F.A. President Ralph Barrie deliver a hard hitting speech on the importance of farmers sticking together. Pictured above are the new executive, 1. to r., Hans Rasmussen, vice-president and county director; Eleanor Dane, Secretary, and Mel Greig, President. Line directors are: Don Gedcke, Wayne Bilton, Murray Fatt, Hans Rasmussen, Wayne Johnson, Heinze Claus, Hank Winkel, Bill Atton, Norm Fairies, Bill Bennett, Stan Zurbrigg, Elmer Harding, Les Stafford, Bill Taylor, Edgar Dane, Murray Mulvey, Deanne Dickson, Jim Renwick and Gordon Mann.