The Rural Voice, 2003-07, Page 60HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Website: www.hcfa.on.ca Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
County Federation Agriculture NEWSLETTER * The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
o f A (� in Huron County by the HCFA.
The Education Committee of Perth
and Huron County Federations of
Agriculture came together when
provincial funding for education was
reduced and school closures were
proposed.
Since that time the committee has
talked with parents, trustees, school
and administration officials and
members of the legislature. They
formulated a six point policy for rural
education including: fair funding,
methods for accommodation reviews,
school closures, special needs,
transportation, interest costs. This
policy was presented to Dr.
Rozanski's review of Ontario
education in September 2002. His
report recommended a $50 million
increase in funding for core support
for small schools.
In early May, Dr. James Downey,
former President of University of
Waterloo was appointed advisor for a
Rural Education Strategy.
Community groups, educators, and
others were invited to participate in
his round -table discussions. Our
policy statement in the Rozanski
report attracted attention. Conse-
quently Huron and Perth were the
only local county federations of
agriculture to be invited to any of the
six meetings. At the final Woodstock
meeting agriculture had three
representatives.
Dr. Downey became aware of the
economic importance of agriculture.
Brief summaries of the economic
Rural Education strategy
impact studies for both counties have
been forwarded to him. Some
discussion points:
• small schools need to be protected
by funding
• complete social impact studies as
well as economic impact studies.
• transportation dollars are required to
cap distance/travelling time for
students. Long bus rides are very
expensive in terms of dollars, a child's
physical health, perhaps their
approach to education, and in the
child's hours for daily living.
• three different environments for
children- bus, playground and the
classroom ( crowding is not an
option).
• small schools have strong
parent/grandparent involvement and
serve as centres of the community.
• weather and geography affect
schools
• government decisions have not been
supported by dollars
• supplying funding for principal and
secretary for a school would remove
the economic incentive to close a
school.
In the end, I challenged Dr.
NOTICE
If any member of OFA from Huron County or
any Huron OFA Associate is interested in
advertising on our web page, please contact
Henry Damsma at 233-5893 or Fax: 233-
5894 or e-mail: henry@damsma.com for
prices, sizes. etc.
Profile —
Jeff Robinson, Executive Director on HCFA Board
Our "family" farm, which includes my dad, Bob, and two older brothers, Scott and
Brent and their families, operates a 2500 -sow, farrow -to -finish breeding stock, pig
production unit. I have been involved with the farm my whole life but full time for the
past eight years. My wife of three years, Erin joined our group two years ago. We
have a daughter, Grace who will be a year old in July.
When I am able to find time, I like to be involved in all kinds of sports: hockey,
baseball, fastball and golf. This is my second year of involvement in the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture. In March of 2003 I was voted on to the executive
of the board.0
56 THE RURAL VOICE
Downey to make funding "rural
school friendly".
- Submitted by Marilyn Broadfoot,
Huron Federation Regional
Director/Huron West
Website to seek out:
http://schoolsweneed. oise.utoronto.ca
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture
BOARD MEETING
Fourth Monday of the Month - 8:00 p.m.
Vanastra Office
Members Welcome!
FARM HIKER TOUR
SET FOR HOWICK
The eighth annual Farm Hiker Tour will
take place in the Howick area of the
County on Sunday, September 21
(note the earlier date this year). Places
to visit include a dairy farm, deer farm,
nursery, beef farm, horse farm, pork
display at the end of the tour. Watch
this page and listen to the media for
more information (maps, times, etc.)
on this educational day.
HCFA OFFICE
HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1416
ANNUAL MEETING
DATE SET!
Mark your calendar for the
Annual/Regional meeting of the
Huron Federation of Agriculture.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Seaforth Agriplex
Dinner: 7:00 p.m. - meeting to follow
Guests: Teresa Van Raay and
John Greig - 2003 AALP (Advanced
Agriculture Leadership Program) on
their trip to China.
Tickets will be available in August
from HCFA Directors or by calling
our Federation office.