The Rural Voice, 2002-08, Page 62r
RAINY RIVE R AL
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
RAINY RIVER vA LE
IIII ' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA
July 15, 2002
It's so easy to forget the cold.
blustery days of March, now that our
summer is fully upon us. The many
seasons of change are the reason our
good Lord made the world this way, so
that we can appreciate what we really
have.
Haying is well underway here in the
Rainy River District. Bill Darby was
lucky enough to get a good haul of
square bales in before the early July
rain, with the assistance from four of
my 4-H members. Bill's hay has to be
topnotch for his elk herd north of
LaVallee.
The RRFA did not have a July
meeting because of the good haylage
weather, so l'lI be wandering more
than usual in my ramblings.
We have certainly had more than
our fair share of moisture, but we
should consider ourselves lucky when
we compare to what's happening in
other parts of the country. Mosquitoes
are at an all-time high, as well as the
woodticks. The moisture and warmth
has caused the forests and undergrowth
to be extra thick this year so the bugs
have many places to hide. There seems
to be more wildlife as well. Bear, deer,
fox, raccoons, coyotes and wolves have
been reported, along with the usual
skunks and porcupines. Then there are
the fires burning in different areas
which probably cause the animals to
move.
The District is very busy cleaning
up from the rain storm and trying to get
the hay crop in from the drier areas.
Construction is going on all across the
Rainy River Valley.
The 4-H Leaders' Association will
be holding a meeting this evening at
the 4-H food booth on the fairgrounds.
Cleanup and repair day will be set at
this time. A fun day is being held at the
fairgrounds on Saturday, July 27, early
in the morning, so that everyone can
return home to work in the hayfields
and attend weddings.
If you haven't had the chance to
visit the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung
Historical Centre on Shaw Road at
Stratton, you should plan to take a
drive soon. It's a National Historic
Site, overlooking the Rainy River. with
galleries, burial mounds. a gift shop,
live fish in a giant aquarium. a colossal
turtle. numerous mounted wildlife and
a restaurant with an appetizing menu.
You'll be glad that you took the time
for the tour.
Provincial assistance is available for
flood damages. Individuals, farmers. or
small business owners. can obtain
claim forms at any municipal office.
provincial office. or Government
Information Centre. Items covered by
insurance are not eligible. Call 1-866-
282-9992 for more information.
Mike McMorris from Ontario
Cattlemen's Association contacted the
Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association, and stated that if there is
anything that the OCA can do to assist
the local Cattlemen with flood
damages to let them know.
The Cattlemen will be holding a
meeting before the fair to plan for their
display. as well as other business
connected with the upcoming sales
scheduled for August 24. October 5
and October 19 at the Salesyard at
Stratton.
The Emo Fair is coming up fast -
August 15, 16. 17 and you still have a
bit of time to enter in the Farm
Beautification contest. A photo of
"before" would be appreciated, and the
judges will be making their rounds
before the week of the fair. Grandstand
Jam is looking for vocal performers
during the talent fest at the fair on
Saturday, August 17. Call Candy at
483-1252 or Renee at 482-3055.
Rainy River Rural Safety is
reminding everyone to remember the
sunscreen when you go outdoors: if
you're on the lakes or in the hayfields.
the sun can create problems. Take time
for a break every couple of hours
when working with machinery: wear -
the safety equipment that is now
available anywhere. If Louise had been
wearing gloves when she was slinging
those bales, she would not have
suffered with blisters. John and Marina
over at Emo Feeds have a nice
assortment of work gloves to fit every
need. My favourites are the tan ones
that fit snugly. yet are cool while
working and durable. Great tor
horseback riding as well - you can get
a good grip on the reins.
Linda Zimmerman at Norlund's
Service Station has been busy and is
very grateful to the 4-H Leader.'
Association for awarding her the
bursary. She also sends thanks to the
RRFA who also presented Linda with a
monetary award to help further her
studies in Alberta this fall
Congratulations Linda!
4-H Fun Day for the East End Beet
members will take place on Saturday.
July 27 at the Emo Fairgrounds. For
the West End members. it will take
place at the Gemmell Farm in Stratton
on the same day. both early in the
morning so that members and families
can return home and make it a
productive day for everyone.
KimJo. over at the Emo Research
Station is busy preparing for Open
House on Monday. July 29 in the
evening. They had the flood problem
as well, but the view from the highway
tells us that there has been a good
recovery. None of the crop is wild rice.
It always looks so neat with the even
plots and little w hite markers.
"Organic" is becoming news these
days. but there is a definition. The
designation certified organic. applies to
food produced from land that has not
been exposed to synthetic pesticides.
fungicides. herbicides or fertilizers for
at least three years. Certified organic
producers. distributors and food manu-
facturers are subject to an annual third -
party inspection and a stringent set of
certification standards. reinforced by
an independent audit trail that traces
the product from the final consumer
back to the farmer and the field.
This has been the beginning of a
very unusual summer: after all the raiil
and now the heat, the rush in on to
complete the haying process. then on to
the harvest of grain that survived the
weather.
"lf you do what you've alway
done. you will get what you've alway>
gotten:" Through it all. remember to
take the time to relax when you don'!
have the time for it.0
- Submitted by Shirley Morrish
AUGUST 2002 59