The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 48GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: www.ofa.on.ca/grey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
* The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
Questions to ask to improve your bottom line
Some thoughts on YOUR and MY
bottom line, some of which we have
absolutely no control over and some
that we can't morally or legally do.
Do we produce a product that is
over produced (supply and demand)?
Do we rely on an open market to
dictate our earnings (selling at elevator
or stock values)? Do we count on the
government or private firms to inform
us of the best technology (when it
might just be as wise to keep the status
quo?)
Some other issues to think about
are: The time we spend with, or not
with, volunteer groups (getting too
much information or not enough),
money we spend to belong to groups
that don't meet our personal goals
(some of which are mandatory), taxes
that are collected and not spent wisely
(I don't think I'll even go there), and
the purchase of products that are not
Grown in Grey n
What is it? As far as commodities
go, lots! But really, Grown in Grey is
a program for grade five students of
the Bluewater School Board. It takes
place on April 17 and 18 in the
Chatsworth Community Centre. There
will be an open house on Tuesday
evening, April 17 for the public to
attend. If you have never attended you
do not know what you are missing.
The local farm individuals and groups
put on excellent displays and provide
both written and verbal information
informing students of the importance
of our products. This is also an
excellent opportunity for teachers and
parent volunteers and anyone else
interested to take advantage of this
learning experience and become more
aware of the importance of agriculture
in Grey county.
To continue to have this important
and worthwhile event take place and
be successful this year we need
volunteers! Twenty-six people are
required to help guide the students
through displays that are all manned
with knowledgeable people. It is a
well organized event and the
volunteers just have to move students
from one station to another at timed
44 THE RURAL VOICE
really needed (but just a luxury).
Now for some international
concerns: Do we get proper
representation from government
officials and farm group leaders
dealing with our environmental and
ethical issues? Are we allowing
products into this country that are not
up to our tough standards, thus
encouraging improper farming
practices and an unfair playing field
for us to compete on? In the United
States the labour use of over 750,000
illegal immigrants in agriculture must
surely have some effect on the price
that the farmers need to recover from
their product. I have yet to hear
addressed by our representatives in
North American free trade talks, the
issue of using illegal immigrants in our
labour force. I am sure some
immigrants are treated fairly but there
are those who feel threatened with
eeds volunteers
intervals. The Women's Institute of
Grey County will be providing a
delicious noontime meal for all
volunteers.
Ron Bender at 519-794-4724 or
Bob Rodger at 519-794-4244 will
glady accept your call if you are
interested in volunteering for one of
the days or if you have any questions.
You can also get in touch with your
farm commodity group if you are
interested in helping with the manning
of a station for one of the days.
Ron Bender at 519-794-4724 is the
Chairperson and Chris Hilts at 519-
376-2539 is the Secretary. Meetings
for the organization are usually held
the third Tuesday of the month at
Grey Gables in Markdale at 8:00 p.m.
Your input and help would be greatly
appreciated by this hard working and
dedicated core group.0
— Bob Rodger
Past President
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 1:00 p.m.
GREY GABLES (Committee Room)
206 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members aro welcome to attend.
"NOTE; LOCATION CHANGE**
being deported and are constantly
reminded of the battles already fought
regarding human rights and equality.
Does your accountant get you all of
the tax breaks that you qualify for?
Knowing all of the ever-changing rules
requires this person to be up to date on
all of the tax information and have
knowledge of agriculture. Your
accountant should not be just
concerned with this year's bottom line
but should also be helping you look
ahead and plan into the future.
The weather is one thing which you
cannot control but nonetheless and
must be planned for. It might mean
different things to different farmers but
must always be considered when
planning for next year's profits.
Remember that what goes on in
other countries can be controlled to
some.extent by what we buy and by
whom we vote for. It is up to us to
communicate with our elected
officials, whether it be your
commodity president or a member of
government. It is in your best interest
to voice your concerns to help your
BOTTOM LINE.0
— Bob Rodger
GCFA' Past President
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL
SCHEDULE
NORTH-WEST GREY SEMI-FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Duffenn Public School, 1045 - 3rd
Ave. West, Owen Sound
NORTH -CENTRE GREY SEMI-FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bayfield Public School, 558 6th
Street East, Owen Sound
NORTH-EAST GREY SEMI-FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Beaver Valley Public School, 189
Bruce Street, Thombury
SOUTH-WEST GREY SEMI-FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Durham District Community, 426
George Street East, Durham
SOUTH-EAST GREY SEMI-FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Highpoint Elementary, Main Street,
Dundalk
GREY COUNTY FINALS:
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2001
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Beavercrest Elementary School,
Main Street East, Markdale
Snow Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2001, 7:30 p.m.