The Rural Voice, 2002-06, Page 68HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Website: www.ofa.on.ca/huron Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
' The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
in Huron County by the HCFA.
Ag groups give Johns a rousing welcome
Ontario farmers rolled out the
welcome mat for Helen Johns
recently.
Johns, recently named the
province's first female Minister of
Agriculture and Food by Premier
Ernie Eves, was honoured with a
"meet and greet" reception at South
Huron Rec Centre in Exeter.
Welcoming Johns were about 150
people including members of the
Ontario Agricultural Commodity
Council (OACC), commodity groups,
the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
and the Christian Farmers Federation
of Ontario.
The evening gave Johns a chance
to meet those in the farming industry.
Bob Down, chairperson of the
OACC, said he is pleased Eves chose
Johns as Agriculture Minister and
looks forward to working with her.
Down even presented Johns with a
cowboy hat to make her feel more at
home.
Johns said she considers herself
the "luckiest woman in Ontario" and
was overwhelmed by the attendance
at the reception. She said when Eves
told her of her new cabinet posting,
she said, "that's fabulous." She
credited a number of people in her
Huron -Bruce riding with educating
her on farming issues and helping her
get the nerve to ask for the job.
"I have been educated well from
the community about the value of a
plate of food," she said, adding
Ontarians need to realize how little
they pay for food compared to those
in other developed countries.
Johns added she's looking for
community input on what farming
issues are on people's minds right
OMAF staff sees real farms
On Friday, May 3, the morning
following the reception in Exeter for
Honourable Minister of Agriculture
Helen Johns, she took her Toronto
staff on a whirlwind farm tour
throughout a portion of Huron
County. President Charles Regele of
the Huron Federation of Agriculture
accompanied Helen and her staff.
The first stop along the way was at
the farm of Cliff Knipp, agronomist
and cash cropper. He, along with his
GM, Greg Howard guided the group
to observe their stock, and view the
operation. They discussed reasons for
biosecurity, the outcomes of such,
nutrient management, production and
management standards. The tour
ended with observing biosecurity
protocols.
Stop number two was the
Suntastic Hothouse, east of Exeter.
This facility produces tomatoes and
peppers. Burkard Metzger is the
President of this plant. His tour
included a discussion on
hydroponics, biological controls and
64 THE RURAL VOICE
interprovincial trade (U.S. Tomato
Wars).
Hensall Co-op was the final stop
with Earl Wagner CEO and Bill
Wallace, President of the Co-op,
giving the tour on farm inputs and
supply, the importance of co-ops, the
importance of corn/soybeans, niche
markets/edible beans, HACCP/IP
programs and environmental issues.
The tour concluded at noon with
everyone returning to their homes.0
Huron County Federation of Agriculture
PLEASE NOTE:
There will be NO
Board meeting in May
Next meeting is June 24
8:00 p.m. - Vanastra Office
Members Welcome!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Winners of the $50 grocery
vouchers at the London Farm
Show in March for Huron County
were: Wayne Hamilton, Varna;
Bob Regele, Dublin; Stan Johns,
Seaforth and Diane Peckitt,
Seaforth.
now.
In listing her priorities as
Agriculture Minister, Johns said she
wants to get the province's Nutrient
Management Act passed and is
asking for unanimous consent from
the opposition to have it passed as
quickly as possible.
President of the Christian Farmers
Federation of Ontario Jenny
Denhartog, said Johns is aware of the
challenges the farming industry faces
and the Christian Farmers want long-
term solutions and "much needed
stability."0
— Courtesy of Exeter -Times Advocate
Rotary Career Edge 2002
August 25-28/02
Ridgetown College
This venture explores careers
in horticultural and agricultural
business sectors.
Students of Grades 11, 12, OAC
contact: 1-866-222-9682.
Join the Huron County Federation
of Agriculture
Thursday, August 15/02
At the Blyth Festival for a
performance of Bamboozled -
the sequel to He Won't Come in
the Barn - starring Ted Johns
A Taste of Huron reception will
be held at 6:30 p.m. before
the performance
For more information contact
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642
1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1416