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The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 501 BRUCE Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 • The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce County Farmers by the BCFA. Consumers have paid farmers' food bill by January 9 The recent headline in a January edition of the Owen Sound paper read "Grain Prices Look Rosy For Farmers". It was a reporter's summation of Grain and Oilseeds day at Grey -Bruce Farmers' Week in Elmwood. The article seemed to me to help create a false illusion to consumers about the farmers' role in the food picture. The question that should have been asked was "Prices Rosy Compared To What?" It failed to mention continuously spiraling energy costs and their related spinoff effect on farmers' costs. It did mention that U.S. government support is eight times higher and European support is 14 times more than in Canada. A farmers' take on this is supposed to be a shrug and work a little harder and smarter. Is it any wonder we have become disillusioned with OMAFRA advisors and their bosses for such support? I attended and participated in two of the grain and oilseeds meetings last summer when before overflow audiences farm organizations asked in a well documented basis to be created equally on a per capita basis with United States producers. Following these meetings it was very disappointing that in the recent federal election there was very little mention of agriculture or the impor- tance of a domestic food policy. If it is the Canadian and Provincial governments' intention to eliminate another percentage of Canadian farmers with their inadequate support Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Kitchen Meetings Kitchen meetings of two to four people will be held to complete an EFP in Bruce County. Please call John Wilton at 367- 2408 to arrange a convenient time and location. You can qualify for up to 51,500 per farm business by implementing a change identified in your EFP action plan. 46 THE RURAL VOICE for agriculture under the circumstances then they are doing a good job. Maybe our farmers' problem is simply inadequate lobbying and not speaking with one voice. The recent decision by the Canadian Government to support Quebec -based Bombardier Inc. with a huge multi- billion dollar, low-interest loan guarantee to put them on equal competitive footing with their Brazilian -based competition was truly the honourable and right thing to do, but surely must leave our farmers and farm leaders wondering "but what about us"? I can relate and sympathize with many of our farmers who are so overburdened that they sometimes don't have time to participate, but they do need to take time to telephone their MPs and MPPs and ask questions. Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Bob Friesen stated at the Ottawa Rally last November that the Canadian consumer celebrates "Food Freedom" day on February 12. That is the date when the average Canadian household has earned enough money to pay for the entire year's grocery bill. But, what's even more important is that on January 9, the average household has earned enough money to pay for the farmers' share of the entire year's grocery bill. But this is much more than just about farmers. This is about the rural infrastructure. This is about the rural community. This is about job opportunities. This is about small town businesses. And this is about surviving. It is interesting to note that Quebec farmers are supported much more than Ontario and speak with one voice. Also. Alberta saw fit to use some of their resources with a very sizeable commitment to their farmers. So this is truly decision time for farmers and a decision time for our governments regarding the structure of their agriculture portfolios.0 Submitted by Robert Emerson 2nd Vice President TOMMY COOPER AWARD AND MEET THE MEMBERS MEETING Friday, April 6 Further details in next month's Rural Voice CFOS Radio Station, Owen Sound will be mailing nomination forms for the Tommy Cooper Award to farm groups and organizations in Bruce and Grey counties. BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE Directors' Meeting Monday, February 26, 2001 8:00 p.m. Sprucedale Agromart R.R. #2, Walkerton 25th Sideroad Brant (North off of former Hwy. #4 - east of Walkerton) Members are welcome to attend "TAKING BACK YOUR LIVELIHOOD" "Opportunities through Co-operative Development" March 3, 2001 — 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Formosa Community Centre Changes continue at break neck speed in agriculture and our rural communities. • What are these changes and what do they mean for producers and agri-business? • Attend and participate first hand in discussions reviewing opportunities. • Find out what others are doing. • What are new generation co-ops? • Is value-added an option; how can I do it? • How can I increase my returns in my business? This informative day will feature speakers from the USA and Canada. Working sessions will consider and review opportunities to increase returns. Watch for more information in your papers at ontag©tdg.ca and the Rural Voice. to find out more contact the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture office at 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551. The organizing committee welcomes the support provided by Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, OATI and Agriculture & AgriFood Canada.