The Rural Voice, 2005-04, Page 63RAINY RIVER 411P•
PO Box 416, EMO, ON POW 1E0
807-482-2051
• The Rural nVoice is provided to Rainy
AILAIL
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
Ron Bonnett to visit Rainy River
The Rally in Toronto was, by all
accounts, well attended and some
points were made. It is sad that it was
marred by someone calling for
attention in a frightening manner. It
must have been a major distraction
and the police and firemen are to be
commended for their quick action.
We have not had more information
on his needs or if they have been
addressed. We sometimes get so
caught up in our affairs that we fail to
see our neighbour's hurt.
The local Federation meeting was
held the day before the rally and we
were encouraged to watch the news
reporting of the events of the day and
listen for government response. Have
you heard very much? I'm still
listening.
The Ag Day has been set by the
Soil and Crop Association for April 8
in Barwick. Any information needed
can be received by contacting Larry
Lamb.
The Rainy River Spring Dinner
will be held on Friday, April 22, 2005
in the General Lipsett Branch 99 of
The Royal Canadian Legion Emo.
Tickets will be available from the
directors for $15 each. We have
received confirmation that Ontario
Federation of Agriculture President
Ron Bonnett will be one of our
guest speakers and secretary Linda
and the entertainment committee are
making contact with someone they
think will add to the meeting. It
should make for an interesting
evening. Each director was assigned a
specific duty so more fun should
ensue.
The finance committee is meeting
March 7, 2005 to review last year's
activities and strike a new budget.
Sharpened pencils are the order of the
day.
The Farm Progress Building
Committee is getting ready to send
out their letters to potential exhibitors
for the Fall Fair. The dates for the fair
are August 18-19-20.
Kim Jo reported that the 4-H
leaders will be meeting on March 4
and that there are approximately 60
active members and the fee to join is
$50. There are two $500 bursaries to
be awarded.
There is a new photography club
beginning March 21 at Scrap -a -bit
and will meet on the third Monday of
each month. If you're at all interested
make a point of contacting Kim Jo
and make the arrangements you need
and you will be given the list of
supplies and welcomed.
Clayton Teeple reported on the
Cattlemen's meeting he attended in
Toronto and we congratulate Ian
McKillop on his election as OCA
President. The membership check -off
has been raised from $2.25 to $3. The
Rainy River Cattlemen's Resolution
on a floor price for cull cows was
defeated. He noted that the
processing capacity stands at 3.5m
and the goal is to increase that
capacity to 5m by the year 2007.
The milk producers are
commenting that the time/
temperature recorders at this point are
a very expensive decoration for the
milkhouse. There seems to be
some bugs that need to be worked
out and the two producers at the
meeting were just a little frustrated
at the expense for something that
has so many problems still to be
fixed.
The members who met with our
MLA Howard Hampton report a
fruitful meeting. Howie has made
himself aware of agricultural issues
here in the district and is supportive
of our concerns. A half-hour meeting
turned into an hour -and -a -half
discussion. He expressed his hope to
be able to be at the rally. He was seen
at the question period on TV, raising
questions as to where the earmarked
money for agriculture has gotten lost.
Answer given: "The feds have not
sent their share to province.
Therefore the province is unable to
send it out"!
Kim Jo reported that there will be
a new veterinarian joining Dr. Dan in
May. It is to be hoped she will find a
Rainy River welcome warm and
inviting. Dr. Heather and her husband
will, I'm certain, add to the
community. Kim Jo has assured us
that they are looking forward to
moving here.
The Rainy River Spring
Conference (Ag Days) sponsored by
Soil and Crop has a tentative list of
speakers and topics available now:
• Nancy Noeker, OMAF, Cost of
Production for Cow Calf Operators.
• Barry Roberts, Agricorp, New
Forage Insurance Program.
• Barry Potter, OMAF, Managing
Forages in times of tight supply.
• Jane Gillon, MNDM, NOHFC —
Prosperity of the North.
• Ron Westgate, Gencor Foods,
Marketing Cull Cows through Gencor
Foods.
Lunch will be available.
The Rainy River Christian
Farmers will be hosting an Open
Forum with their President John
Kikkert on Thursday, April 7 at the
Christian Reformed Church in Emo.
They will be discussing "The role of •
the CFFO in Today's Agriculture".
The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.
The local President, Peter Boon of
Fort Frances invites all interested
persons to feel welcome to attend.
His telephone number is 807-274-
6005.
Do not be too moral. You may
cheat yourself out of much life. So
aim above morality. Be not simply
good, be good for something.
(Henry David Thoreau. 1817-62).0
— Submitted by
Jacquelyn Hunsperger
APRIL 2005 59