The Rural Voice, 2003-09, Page 71RIVER
AP*R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW ICO
RAINY 807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY •
RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
•
August 19, 2003
We always look forward to the Emo
Fair, and this year was no different
except for the weather. This time we
experienced hot — very hot — and dry
conditions. It was so different from
2002, when everyone ran for shelter
from the falling rains and looked for
warmer clothes and boots to keep dry.
What a difference a year makes. It
doesn't look like the heat will let up for
awhile yet, but next thing someone will
be complaining about the cold. We still
get the variety here and that's what
makes the Rainy River District so great
to live and farm in.
The August RRFA meeting was held
August 4 at Emo after Ken opened the
door. Attending were Bernie
Zimmerman, Jason Teeple, Rudy
Sinninghe, Reg Kaus, Kristine
Carpenter, Shirley Morrish, Linda
Armstrong, Betty Salchert and Angela
Halvorsen.
Betty reported for member services.
Betty and Bernie handed out freezies at
the recent two-mile long parade during
Stratton's Centennial Celebrations, as
representatives from RRFA. Betty has
just returned from a trip to Europe
where she and husband Wayne travelled
around numerous countries. She found
field crops to be in more advanced
stages than our district. Betty has also
invited everyone to their Mudlake Fest
on Sunday, August 24. It begins at 1:00
p.m. Rain date is September 7. Don't
miss this fun event.
Bernie stated that the AFP has lots of
issues to work out. The Mad Cow issue
tops the agenda and zoning, which was
referred to the executive, should have
gone to a committee for research.
Linda reported for the Farm Progress
Building at the fairgrounds. There were
only four more booths to fill, and set-up
was Monday evening before the fair.
Now that it's all over, we can report that
booths were filled and every table was
in use. Linda organized a good crew for
set-up and the volunteers showed up for
take-down at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday.
We still see the same faces at all of
these events. We'll look at the bright
side and call it our annual get-together.
We only wonder who wants to take over
when some of us come of age.
Kristine gave her report for the vet
committee. They will have a meeting
soon and Ralph and Jacquie Hunsperger
will be attending the annual meeting
this fall.
Bernie reporting for the milk
committee said they had a four per cent
increase and are being paid better.
Helen Johns squashed milk into the
U.S. Now, I made these notes two
weeks ago and used shortened versions,
so something doesn't sound right. But I
think I'll leave it and that way, we'll
find out just who reads this stuff.
Linda will be away for the
September meeting. She's planning on a
trip with Stanley to southern Ontario.
It's a family reunion, so watch for
Linda and Stan down that way near corn
country.
Jason says they're ready for the
annual RRFA meeting. The date is
October 18 at Barwick and for all to
remember it's election time. With Jason
and Kenny on the planning committee,
it should be an interesting evening.
James has been pretty busy with the
fairboard duties, but he'll be there to
help out as well, along with Rudy. Reg
is hoping for Shania Twain as the
entertainment. Tickets will be available
from any of the directors.
"Advice always gives the temporary
appearance of superiority."
— Samuel Johnson
There is a Farm Consultation Service
for stress and financial counselling. The
number is 1-866-452-5558. The Farm
Line (regarding needs with emotional
side of business) is 1-888-451-2903,
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Just don't get stressed on
weekends.
Ag Awareness was at the Emo Fair.
This year, Kristine, Shirley and Pat
promoted "Pigs and Pork". With the
professional assistance from Rhonda, a
retired school teacher, children had two'
full days of fun learning about pigs,
their food, shelter, growth pattern, and
end results all in an educational manner.
The cornmeal sandbox was the hit of
the day as usual. There were some very
big kids enjoying the toy tractors and
machinery, making tracks in the make-
believe soil.
Ag Week this year is October 5 - 10
and we'll be at the Clover Valley
Farmers' Market in Fort Frances on the
Saturday.
Health Canada is continuing to do all
they can regarding SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome). If you want
information, contact Health Canada's
information line at 1-800-454-8302.
It's the third month of the U.S.
border closure. Live cattle are still not
allowed over so it's not really open.
Locally there is some great support
from the public and businesses, but our
government has been slow to come up
with any meaningful support.
McDonald's Restaurant chain is
offering a free burger coupon this
Friday at each one of their 1,300
Canadian outlets. It's a bid to help the
struggling meat industry. They will be
giving away 1.4 million pounds of
burger by offering the 2-for-1 sale. This
promotion follows their decision to buy
all beef from Canada. Before the BSE
crisis, 75 per cent of their beef came
from Canada and the remainder from
USA.
Ken McDonald (not connected to the
famous restaurant) from Stratton
community store had a load of meat
arrive at his place of business recently.
It had come from Uruguay. It was never
unloaded. Ken is supporting the
Canadian beef industry.
The district mourns the loss of well-
known businessman, Elmer Norlund
who passed away this past week. Elmer
leaves a memorable legacy. Our
condolences to his kind and gentle
family.
The Rainy River Hereford
Association is having a district tour of
Hereford farms on September 27. It
begins at Jack and Kathy McNabb's at
Stratton and ends at Klink Bliss's farm
for an evening barbecue. It sounds like
an interesting way to spend a day after
the harvesting is all done for another
season, and to relieve the stress.
The Rainy River Cattlemen's
Association will be holding their cattle
sale on Saturday, September 6 at
Stratton. Manager, Russ Richards says
there are buyers coming in and things
look promising. There are a lot of
worried cattlemen in the district — all
asking "what's next?"
Much discussion took place around
the display area at the Emo Fair in the
cattlemen's booth. Each situation is not
the same. While some are more
prepared than others, there is hope on
the horizon.
"We should all be concerned about
the future because we will have to
spend the rest of our lives there."
— C.F. Kettering
Work safely. Keep the faith. This is
the Rainy River District. It has never let
us down.
"Some are born great, some achieve
greatness, and some hire public
relations officers." — Daniel Boorstin
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
SEPTEMBER 2003 67