The Rural Voice, 2001-01, Page 55R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
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Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER At....16. • RAINY RIVER VALLEY The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federatestionnmembers by the RRFA.
December 12, 2000
It's been only one year now since
everyone was busy preparing for the
awesome things that were to happen
during the millennial midnight hour. It
just goes to show how powerful the
media really is. As we prepare for the
festive season ahead, our thoughts go
back to the year we're leaving behind. A
year that made many changes; some by
chance and others by choice. From
floods, drought, famine and wars all
over the world, we should consider
ourselves pretty lucky to be living in the
part of the country that we do, where life
goes on at a normal pace. and especially
in the Rainy River District where people
care and support their neighbours. Let's
keep the good thoughts into the New
Year and hope that someday the rest of
the world is as fortunate as we are.
The December meeting of the RRFA
was at Morley with Linda Armstrong,
Angela Halvorsen, Reg Kause; Ken
Fisher, Rudy Sinninghe, Kim.lo Calder,
Kristine Carpenter, Bernie Zimmerman,
Betty Salchert, Shirley Morrish, Jason
Teeple, Kelly Faragher and Susan
Boersma attending.
Linda resigned from her position as
president and after a brief election,
Bernie Zimmerman took over. Linda
.agreed to become the vice-president for
the next year.
Betty, reporting for Member
Services, said that the property
assessments have been mailed out. There
are increases in some. She would like to
hear from anyone who does have an
increase. There will be a public meeting
in the spring on the advantages of
growing hybrid poplar trees. Data will
be available at that time. The Northern
Convention takes place in March. We
now have 164 members in the RRFA
supporting OFA.
Linda and Bernie gave a report on the
annual which was very well run, by
Bernie's statements. He especially
enjoyed the Ontario wines and foods that
were served celebrating Ontario Harvest.
The executive has stayed the same and
there is now a 1-800 Farm Help line for
farmers having difficulties with
finances, stress and any difficulties that
may arise with the family farm that often
crop up. The service is free of charge
and you are under no obligation to
follow the recommendations. Contact
Agri -Food Canada at 1-800-265-8135 or
Rob Gamble at 1-888-466-2372 ext.
64350. Don't let the name scare you.
OMAFRA also has a number of fact
sheets if you're lucky enough to still
have access to an OMAFRA office. You
can call 1-877-424-1300 which is the
Agricultural Information Contact Centre.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you
need it.
Kristine reported on the upcoming
annual skating party. It's earlier this year
because of tournaments at the arena. A
potluck takes place at 1:00 p.m. with
skating to follow at the Emo/LaVallee
Community Centre. There will be draws
for the afternoon's activities. Ken Fisher
will find sponsors since he has the
special talent to come up with something
each time. The skating party is open to
everyone.
The Agricultural Society will be
holding their annual meeting on
December 12. They are still looking for
a secretary -treasurer. Linda will
represent the RRFA on the board and
attend the meetings each month.
Congratulations to Rudy Sinninghe
on receiving special recognition at the
recent directors' meeting of the Rainy
River Milk Producers. There are still 18
milk producers active in the district.
Their annual meeting is January 10-11,
2001.
The Agribition at Regina turned 30
years old this year and 24 bus -travellers
from the Rainy River District went to
see all that they could in the two days
granted to them by their families. It was
educational as always, exciting, mind-
boggling at times and a break from the
chores back home. The beef entries were
up by more than 400 head over last year,
with Hereford and Angus entries
particularly strong. Everyone should
take some time for a break. Too many
times people save and scrimp for
retirement, but, by that time, their health
may be too poor to travel or worse, they
may pass away at a young age and never
get to enjoy the companionship of new
and old friends. Take a holiday, even if
it's only a weekend and it's even more
fun when you travel with people like
Ken Fisher who knows how to keep
things moving along. Thanks to Angela
Halvorsen who organized the whole
event, and who is already making plans
for another bus trip in 2001.
Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association will not hold a December
meeting. Their next meeting will take
place January 17, 2001 at the Devlin
Municipal upstairs meeting room. The
annual meeting will be January 24, 2001
at Our Lady of the Way School at
Stratton.
There is a Cattle Feeding manual
available from the Canadian Cattlemen's
Association. It offers advice on
everything from purchasing and
contracting quality ingredients to
receiving, storage and mixing them into
balanced, safe rations. Just call 519-824-
0334 or fax 519-824-9101.
At the recent Farm Women's
Conference November 13-14 at the
Raddison in Winnipeg, the theme was
"Three Per Cent Makes a Difference",
reflecting the fact that while farmers
make up only three per cent of Canada's
population, they feed the entire nation.
Belle Fraise, a strawberry wine made
from berries grown at Portage la Prairie,
reached wine stores in the last few
weeks. They expect to produce 2000
cases (24,000 bottles) this year. Their
plans include expanding to an iced
strawberry/rhubarb wine, blueberry
wine, a Saskatoon wine and a strawberry
chablis blended. D.D. Leobard
Strawberry wine is the second
Manitoba -produced fruit wine to reach
store shelves. Rigby Orchards of
Killamey released a raspberry wine last
fall. It takes only five acres of berries to
keep them in production and they are all
locally grown.
Rainy River District 4-H has
calendars for sale at $5 each. Call KimJo
Calder or any 4-H leader. The Royal
Bank is proud to showcase the personal
achievement of selected 4-H members
from across Canada for the 2001
calendars. All monies raised goes
to.wards 4-H National and Provincial
offices, local clubs and the 4-H
Museum. The 4-H annual Banquet and
Awards Night is January 19, 2001 at the
newly remodelled Stratton Millennium
Hall.
The next RRFA meeting will take
place on January 2, 2001 at the Emo
Curling Club. It's Angela's birthday.
What a way to celebrate!
Three essentials in this life are
something to do, something to love, and
something to hope for.
Happy New Year to you all and if
you have problems over the holidays
with relatives who think you're strange,
remind them that the only useful
member of the lily family is garlic.0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JANUARY 2001 51