The Rural Voice, 2003-02, Page 47RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
40*
RAINY RIVER VALLEY
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
January 15, 2003
It's a new year and the seed
catalogues are arriving in the mail every
day. Ah, spring would feel so good
now that our -30° has arrived in the
district. But, let's not wish time away,
and take one day at a time.
The January RRFA meeting was
held at Emo curling rink with Ken
Fisher chairing, Rudy Sinninghe,
Angela Halvorsen, Susan Boersma,
Kristine Carpenter, Shirley Morrish,
James Gibson and Jason Teeple
attending.
Ken asked where the community
tipping table for grooming animals'
feet, might be. It is believed to be at
Steiner's, but if anyone knows
differently, please call Ken or a RRFA
director.
The Christmas party, consisting of a
buffet supper catered by Deb and Marg,
was enjoyed immensely by the past and
present RRFA directors just before
Christmas. Instead of a gift exchange,
Angela Halvorsen suggested we bring a
non-perishable food product for the
Community Donation Food Bank for
needy residents. The response was
terrific and we received a "God Bless
You" and good feelings, for thinking of
others during the festive season.
Kristine reported for Ontario Agri -
Food Education (OAFE)..We have a
good supply of ideas, booklets, and
information available for our upcoming
Pig and Pork Project this year. Watch
for us at the Farmers' Market, Safety
Days, the Emo Fair, and local school
events.
Jaspn and Ken from the
entertainment committee are in the
planning stages of a skating party to be
held in February at the Emo/La Vallee
Arena. The 4-H Association will also
participate in the planning.
Susan reported for the milk
producers since President Bernie
Zimmerman is away in Toronto at the
annual meeting. Susan said that there is
a strain of Simmentals that are beef, but
produce milk like dairy cattle. They are
dual-purpose like the shorthorn breeds.
The Agricultural Society (fair board)
had their annual meeting. Joyce Meyers
is the president again for 2003. More
plans are underway for the upcoming
fair.
Fort Frances has begun their year-
long celebrations commemorating their
100th anniversary.
You are asked to take a closer look
at your assessment notices. There is a
limited time to appeal. Many residents
have called about the sudden difference
in their rates. There seems to be no
consistency and lots of questions.
Deadline for appeals is March 31.
Remember the tattoo letter for 2003
is the letter N.
There's a new agricultural reporter
for the Fort Frances Times. His name is
Michael Hilborn and he's eager to write
about agricultural events and
happenings. He can be contacted at 274-
5373 ext. 236.
Rainy River Rural Safety sends a
reminder for everyone to be prepared
for changes in the weather. Pack your
emergency items in your truck or car,
just in case. Be sure to have a shovel,
bucket of sand or kitty litter, blanket,
candles, matches, snack food and water,
first-aid kit, small axe, extra clothing
and mittens. Keep safe — keep alive.
The lowest bird count ever was
reported by the Rainy River Valley
Field Naturalists this winter. During the
103rd annual Christmas Bird Count
(CBC) for the Audubon Society, the
group counted 1,201 birds and 27
species in one day. This count takes
place from December 14 - January 5.
More than 850 ravens were spotted in
1999, but this year, only 250 were
counted. Magpies topped the count with
Jays at an average and 125 crows. This
year the numbers will be used to help
understand what effect the West Nile
Virus had on a select number of species.
We're very lucky to have these people
volunteer their time to keep track of our
many wonderful bird species.
Rainy River Cattlemen's Associa-
tion report that their annual meeting is
Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of
the Way School. It's normally the
coldest night of the year, but we're
getting those right now. It's very
important that all members attend.
There is a reorganization of the OCA
structure taking place that will affect all
members. OCA's annual meeting is
February 19-20 at the International
Plaza Hotel in Toronto.
BIO has announced its new
improved and user-friendly Herd
Recording Service. This past fall saw
carcass trait genetic evaluation
calculated and reported for heifers
evaluated in the Heifer Development
Program. Our North West Ontario
region board member is Amos
Brielmann and he can be reached at
807-483-7717.
Congratulations to Donna (Gibson)
and Dwight Tank on their new welding
and repair business at Stratton as well as
selling the line of Landini tractors. This
breed has been around since 1884 and
the Tanks feel they are a good, useable
tractor at a reasonable price. Their
business is situated on Hwy. 11 where
the former Vandenbrand Equipment
was in Stratton.
4-H News — OCA Producer
Communications Committee offered
Leadership Awards for counties to
distribute to a beef 4-H member of their
choice. Recipients were to display
leadership, co-operation, community -
mindedness and respect for their fellow
members, leaders and their calf. The
winner of the desk calculator/clock
award from the OCA to a member in
the Rainy River District goes to Joey
Sletmoen of Fort Frances. Joey is the
son of Darryl and Wilma Sletmoen,
who manage the 4-H Food Booth at fair
time. Wilma is presently the 4-H
Leaders' Association President in the
R.R. District.
The annual 4-H leaders' meeting is
Friday, January 17 at the Emo Inn. The
annual 4-H Awards Banquet is March 7
at Stratton. The Canadian 4-H Council
celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2003.
There are 32,000 4-H members, ages 9
to 21, with 10,500 volunteers, operating
about 2,500 4-H clubs.
Elk farmers in Alberta are
experiencing Chronic Wasting Disease
in some of their herds. Some of them
are saying, "It's time to get out of the
business."
This New Year, let's resolve to
educate ourselves about our district's
proh!zilia and work together towards
solutions.
As the New Year begins, remember
that every small act of environmental
stewardship matters. Start by making
one or two simple changes. Before long,
it will become clear that you're on
your way to making a significant
difference.
Life is not measured by the number
of breaths we take. but by the moments
that take our breath away.0
— By Shirley Morrish
THE RURAL VOICE 43