The Rural Voice, 2001-06, Page 66BRUCE
Email: bruce@o(a.on.ca 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
.website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Let's be positive about farming
Our thoughts and energy are focused
towards another planting and growing
season. hopefully with an optimistic
view. Optimism has once been called
the eternal virtue and continually needs
to be shared in agriculture.
When was the last time you
congratulated a neighbour on acquiring
a new piece of equipment, growing an
excellent field crop. erecting a new
building, or doing a tine job of raising
their family? Take the time to
congratulate them; you both will be
glad you did.
But"no matter what farm commodity
you are involved with there will always
be price fluctuations and weather-
related impacts — not to mention all
the other occurrences we have no
control over. Farmers must learn to roll
with the punches, hedge against poor
prices and high input costs or, better
still. work together to achieve
sustainability. For what is agriculture
other than the preservation of the
environment for future generations and
the production of products for the
sustenance of mankind. What else is
there?
Farmers belong to a very elite group
of indi 'duals that represent only three
per cent of the population. We cannot,
and should not, isolate ourselves from
processors and consumers. Alliances
between commodity groups. farm
organizations and most importantly, the
urban population. are essential for a
positive image and future growth of our
industry.
I belie'.e the time has arrived for
the Federation of Agriculture to include
and welcome all citizens into the
membership. Every person or group has
an incredible wealth of knowledge or
expertise waiting to be shared and put
to task. A united voice is essential to
handle environmental concerns and
convey our agricultural story to the rest
of the world. Whenever you have a
chance to include other individuals or
groups into your organization I
encourage you to do 'so. The results and
rewards will surprise even the most
pessimistic.
Finally, take time to relish the bonds
of family and friends. Reflect upon the
true values of life and why you have
chosen farming as an occupation.
Remember, with the right attitude all
things are possible. Following is a short
Woodlot Association welcomes new members
• Do you own a woodlot in Bruce
County?
• Do you have an interest in the
forests of Bruce County?
• Would you like to learn more about
how to care for your woodlot?
• Would you like to learn about
providing better financial,
recreational or environmental
rewards from your woodlot?
• Would you like to meet others with
similar interests?
If you answered yes to all or any of
the above questions then you may be
interested in joining the Bruce
County Woodlot ., Association
(BCWA).
The following are some of the
activities planned by BCWA:
• Organizing field trips to woodlots,
sawmills, etc.
• Hosting workshops and training
62 THE RURAL VOICE
sessions such as forest
management, planning and
marketing; and wildlife habitat and
recreation.
• Communicating with other woodlot
associations. •
• Sharing information and ideas with
the broader community.
The BCWA is not a government
agency but is directed by its member-
ship and resource agency partners.
The BCWA is supported by the
Bruce Resource Stewardship
Network; Saugeen Valley Conservation
Authority; Grey Sauble Conservation
Authority; County of•Bruce; and
Ministry of Natural Resources.
The _trtembership fee is $25 per
year. If you would like further
information please contact: Lloyd
Graham 519-528-2406 or Craig Todd
at 519-371-8465.0
* The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County Farmers by the BCFA.
poem I received from my children and
would sincerely like to share it with
you.
I Believe in Farming
/ believe a man's greatest possession is
his dignity and that no calling bestows
this more abundantly than farming.
/ believe that hard work and honest
sweat are the building blocks of a
person's character.
l believe that farniing, despite its
hardships and disappointments, is the
most honest honourable way a man can
spend his days on earth.
1 believe my children are learning
values that will last a lifetime and can
be learned in no other way.
1 believe many of the best things in life
are indeed free: the splendour of a
sunrise, rhe rapture of wide open
spcces, the exhilarating sight of your
land greening each spring.
/ believe true happiness comes froth
watching your crops ripen in the field,
your children grow tall in the sun, your
whole family feel the pride that springs
from their shared experience.
1 believe when a man grows old
and sums up his days, he should be
able to stand tall and feel pride in
the life he has lived.
1 believe in farming because it
makes all this possible.0
- Submitted by Mark Hamel
Brant Township Director
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
Directors' Meeting
Monday, June 25, 2001
8:00 p.m.
Sprucedale Agromart
RR 2, Walkerton - 25th slderoad Brant
(north off of former Hwy. #4 -
east of Walkerton)
Members are welcome to attend.