The Rural Voice, 2003-06, Page 63RAINY RIVER �a
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1CO
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 'The Federationi Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River members by the RRFA.
May 20, 2003
Spring has arrived and the Circle
of Life begins once again. Winter
was tiresome this year; but with the
changing winds, the first golden
dandelions, and income tax out of
the way, we can begin to enjoy the
new season, and watch new life
grow.
The RRFA held its May meeting
at the Emo Curling Club. Attending
were Ken Fisher, Kristine
Carpenter, Shirley Morrish, Linda
Armstrong, Bernie Zimmerman,
Rudy Sinninghe, Betty Salchert,
Angela Halvorsen and Jason
Teeple.
National Volunteer Week was
celebrated April 27 - May 3. Stats
Canada National Survey has
revealed that there are 6.5 million
volunteers in Canada.
Bernie reported that Milk
Producers in the District are down
to 14 now. There's a bigger demand
for milk as well. They will be
replacing the billboard sign that the
strong winds carried away near
VanDrunen Road.
Ken reported that Community
Pasture is now filled. With the
recent spring rain, the grass will
now grow, just as Ken predicted
earlier.
We are having light rainfall, but
the District is suffering with a 100 -
year low, while last year was
reported at a 100 -year high. We
better not pray too hard, because
after July 2001 and June 2002,
anything that happens will not be a
surprise. Fire hazard is high right
now.
OAFE (Ontario Agri -Food
Education) Committee held a
planning meeting and on Saturday,
May 10, they had a promotion
display at Clover Valley Farmers'
Market. This year's topic is "Pigs
and Pork". We'll do the same
promotion at the Fair in August, but
on a larger scale. School students
have been busy touring and learning
about Agriculture at Willow -Mar
Farms.
As of May 6, RRFA has 184
signed up members. These are
"Farmers Working for Farmers".
Linda reported that there are
eight confirmed exhibitors for the
Farm Progress Building on the
fairgrounds. Book your space early
by calling Linda at 807-852-3645.
Hantavirus warnings are out.
This is a potentially fatal infection
spread by rodents in their droppings
or urine. There have been cases of
deaths in the past. Symptoms
resemble influenza, with high fever,
body aches, chills, and breathing
difficulty. It is advised that when
working in enclosed spaces to wear
a mask, and where mouse
droppings are found, use a one -to -
10 bleach solution when cleaning
up the area. Wear mask and gloves.
They also advise not using a
vacuum because vacuuming makes
like an aerosol and spreads it
around. The deer mouse is the only
confirmed daffier so far.
The annual Regional OFA
Convention is set for November 24-
26 in Toronto. Our local RRFA fall
dinner will be in October.
Rainy River District 4-1 are very
active with a horse club, bread -
making club, fishing club and steer
clubs underway. Tickets are
available for the wooden
lawn furniture raffle. A bus trip is
being planned for the Manitoba
area of Roland. Leaders and
members will be busy Saturday,
May 31 cooking up pancakes
for the Fishermen's breakfast and a
prime -rib dinner later in the
day.
A pasture tour is being planned
in June by KimJo Bliss at the
Research Station. Watch the
newsletter for details or call KJ at
482-2354.
An excellent sale was reported
for the Rainy River Cattlemen at
Stratton. This was the first sale of
the season and plans are underway
for September and October sales.
Prices were strong on all the good
cattle — 810 head were sold at this
spring's sale.
"Don't accept your dog's
admiration as conclusive evidence
that you are wonderful."
— Ann Landers
Clover Valley Farmers' Market
is officially open now each
Saturday in Fort Frances. Manager
is Deb Cornell -Darby. At the other
end of the District in Rainy River,
their market opened May 10 and
you can call Norma at 852-3650 if
you'd like to rent space.
We're still looking for the tilt
table, hoof trimming chute. It's
somewhere in the Rainy River
District and there are farmers who
would like to see it. Call KimJo at
482-2863 if you know where it was
last used, or seen.
Auction sales are happening
across the district. Ralph
Hunsperger just had his sale
May 3. Walter Peters, four miles
east of Rainy River has one
on May 24 and Marilyn McDonald
now retired from the Ag office at
Emo has her sale on June 7. These
sales certainly bring mixed feelings.
It can't be easy, gathering and
sorting all the memories from all
the years of farming and
agricultural work. But, I guess it
eventually comes for all of us.
"God grant me the senility to
forget the people 1 never liked, the
good fortune to run into the ones 1
do, and the eyesight to tell the
dference."0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JUNE 2003 59