HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-03-16, Page 75OMAF: new name, broader mandate
Premier Bob Rae announced
last week that the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
will broaden its mandate and
become the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs.
"The addition of Rural Affairs
to the name and mandate of the
Agriculture and Food ministry
reflects this government's strong
commitment to rural economic
,growth and job creation," the
Premier said. "The additional
focus will provide rural com-
munities with the kind of anon-
' don they need and deserve."
- This initiative will be ac-
complished by re -directing exis-
ting staff and financial resources
to more clearly focus on service
delivery to rural clients.
The Premier highlighted the
success of recent ministry
initiatives in support of rural
economic development,
including the 'new FarmPLUS
program, which allows rural
investors to buy guaranteed
investment certificates. The
proceeds from the sale of the
GICs are then pooled and made
available as loans for farm and
agri-business ventures in rural
areas.
Premier Rae said the expanded
mandate is a'logical extension of
thework the ministry has carried.
out over the years to enhance the
economic viability of rural com-
munities. "The expanded man-
date reinforces the ministry's
role as facilitator in helping rural
communities meet their needs.
The Minister, Elmer Buchanan,
is from rural Ontario and he
knows the needs and potential of
our rural areas as centres for
economic growth and job
creation," he said.
In addition, the Premier an-
nounce and initial contribution of
$250,000 to a Rural Develop-
ment Research Fund.
Since 1991, OMAF has
introduced several policies and
programs aimed at helping rural '
communities develop their
economic potential. In 1992, the
ministry launched its Agricul-
tura) Investment Strategy to
stimulate rural investment and
expand ,the scope of financial
resources available to the rural
and agricultural community. In
-its 1993 reorganization,, a Rural
Development Secretariat was
created to support. rural com-
munities in their efforts toward
self directed economic renewal.
In the same year, a Minister's
Advisory Committee on Rural
Issues was established with
representatives from rural or-
ganizations and communities. As
well, the ministry was one of
five participating ministries in
the jobsOntario Community
Action programs t0 focus On
creating employment in rural
Ontario.
• "The ministry's established
presence and profile in rural
communities across Ontario will
be enhanced through its growing
emphasis on rural community
development, a direction
reflected in the addition of rural.
affairs t� .the ministry . name,"
Premier Rae said.
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Farm Progress '94 -page 15A
OMAF improves services
Debbie Davidson
To meeew demands of the
rural community, OMAF (Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food)
is refocussing its staff to face the
1990s.
—Recent revisions to field staff
responsibilities in the Agriculture
and Rural division will bring spe-
cialized information and resources
closer to the client," said Cal Hold-.
en, Field Services Manager . for
Bruce and Grey counties.
"These' changes will allow staff
to focus their efforts on implenient-
'ing the division priorities ,of Com-
petitive Agriculture Environmental.
Sustainability and Rural Community
Development."
Changes with field staff arc
taking place because of a 1992
comprehensive study of OMAF's
farrn cliental service.
"The study told us we were
doing a.good job delivering. techni-
cal information, but in the area of
farrn business management we were
told we could do better," said Hold-
en, who works out of the Markdale
office.
The .area of farm business man-
agement deals with things like the
cost of production, farm analysis,
tax information, passing assets from
one generation to the next and farm
structure information.
In the past, the OMAF system
basically involved production type
people and farm management..spe-
cialists.
"We decided to do away with
farm management specialists and.
focus what they do onto our com-
modity people."
• Fur. •sample, a dairy .fanner
would have dealt..with two people
in the office when he needed help,
Now, a dairy advisor will advise the
farmer on both production and
financial management, he sad.
The local field office in
Walkerton will continue to serve as ,
the primary source of information.•
for clients. New commodity advisor
positions have -been created to in-
crease the level of'service in tech-
nology transfer and. farm manage-
ment skills.
•turn to page 18a .
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