The Rural Voice, 2001-09, Page 72GREY
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email grey@ofa.on ca Website www ofa on cagrey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
- The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
There are benefits in getting involved
Six years ago this November 1 was
elected to the Egremont Township
Federation of Agriculture Board of
Directors for the first of my two
consecutive three-year terms. I attended
board meetings with eight other board
members on a monthly basis. I have
seen and taken part in lively
discussions on all sorts of different
topics.
Not all positions taken by the Board
were unanimous, though it was truly
democracy at work. During this time I
was elected President which gives you
a seat on the Grey County Federation of
Agriculture Board of Directors. At this
level there are many. and more varied.
issues than at the local township level.
Issues are debated and discussed by all
board members which could have the
backing of a total of 90 local board
members.
These township federations are one
thing that Grey County has that makes
it a very strong County Federation. In
my mind there are two areas of concern
that threaten that strength:
Amalgamation of one or two townships
plus rural small towns and villages are
creating larger municipal areas. There
Clean Water Festiva
The first Grey/Bruce Clean Water
Festival will be held September 24-27
in Chesley.
Approximately 2,500 to 3,000
Grade 4 students will participate in this
hands-on Festival which will
emphasize the importance of water to
our lives and the reasons we need to
conserve it. The Clean Water Festival
is designed to educate our children on
the importance of this valuable natural
resource.
Many volunteers are needed on each
of the four days to assist with parking,
greeting, manning the displays,
assisting over the lunch hour, and
various other tasks. Lunch will be
provided for the volunteers.
On Wednesday, September 26, there
will be an Open House for the general
public to visit the site and view the
exhibits between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m. Volunteers are especially needed
68 THE RURAL VOICE
has been some discussion to ha\e only
one local federation to represent the
new municipality.
If an area which was represented by
two township Federations with nine
board members each was to be
amalgamated, it would likely be to a
board of nine members. This would
result in a direct loss of 50 per cent of
our input at this level.
Secondly, and perhaps the most
devastating issue, is the reluctance or
apathy of some people to sit on the
Township boards. There are many
issues that need to be discussed and
debated by all members.
One example of these issues is
whether we should be like our
counterparts in Quebec and have one
strong united voice when talking to our
governments when discussing policies
and regulations that affect our viability.
It is issues like this that need our
discussion and strong voice.
There are a large number of people
that could be approached to sit on our
local boards. Small business owners
whose livelihood is impacted by
agriculture and agri-business personnel
are excellent candidates.
I volunteers needed
to assist at the Open House. A lunch
will also be provided for the volunteers
who assist at the Open House.
As well, volunteers will be needed
for setup on Sunday. September 23 and
dismantling after the students leave on
Thursday.
If you are interested in this exciting
project and are able to help in any way,
please contact Debbie Fawcett,
Program Co-ordinator 519-924-2914 or
one of the volunteer organizers Barbara
and Dave Fidler 519-371-2919; Isabel
Hewitson 519-376-9589; Joe Watson
519-371-1895 (after 5:0() p.m. ).0
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, September 27, 2001
8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
meeting room (Grey Gables)
208 Toronto Street South. Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
One of our mostly overlooked areas
to our detriment are the wives of
farmers. They are our partners in
farming and are well versed on the
problems in agriculture. Most of these
ladies are articulate. intelligent and
would make excellent board members.
Sundown farmers invariably say
they don't have the time. Well guys.
read the above again.
I have enjoyed my tenure as an
Egremont Township Federation of
Agriculture Board member and Grey
County Federation of Agriculture
Board member. If elected again after I
sit off a mandatory one year. 1 sincerely
hope to rejoin a group that is at least as
strong, or stronger than it is today.
Thanks. It has been my pleasure.0
- Submitted by Brent Zeinstra,
Executive Member, Grey County
Federation of Agriculture
No -Till Demo Day
sponsored by Grey County Soil & Crop
Improvement Association
Wednesday, September 19
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Murray Kerr's farm
1 km. north of Rocklyn, Lot 26,
Concession 6, Euphrasia Township
For further information contact Ray
Robertson, Grey County Agricultural
Services. 519.986.3756.
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
61st Annual Meeting
and Banquet and
OFA Regional Meeting
Friday, October 12, 2001
Royal Canadian Legion, Durham
Social: 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker
Clare Lewis, Ontario Ombudsman
Tickets: $12/person — available from
GCFA Presidents, Township Presidents,
Regional Directors, or our office.
NOTE:
• OFA Regional Directors, Delegates and
Alternates for OFA Convention, and GCFA
Presidents will be elected at the meeting.
• Changes to our Constitution and By -Laws
will be presented at the annual meeting.
i