The Rural Voice, 2005-06, Page 54PERTH
PCFA Office - R.R. #1, St. Marys, ON N4X 1C4 Ph: 519-393-5555 or 1-866-829-8866
Fax: 519-229-6269 Email: perth@ofa.on.ca Website: ofa.on.ca/perth
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER' The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Perth County by the PCFA.
Clean water diversion, a beneficial management practice
The purpose of the Clean Water
Diversion is to reduce the amount of
contaminated runoff from manure
storages and exercise yards by'
diverting clean rain and snowmelt away
from sources of contamination to a
satisfactory outlet.
Diversions most commonly include
the eavestroughing of farm buildings
that directly contribute runoff to
barnyard areas. Earthen berms
constructed upslope of barnyards and
roofs over barnyards are also
considered as clean water diversion
projects.
A mature ccw will generate over
1.25 kg of phosphorous and associated
bacteria annually. Research has shown
that the phosphorus and bacteria runoff
from barnyard areas is directly
proportional to the reduction in runoff
volume. Therefore. installing and
maintaining eavestrough on farm
buildings whose roofs would otherwise
outlet onto exercise yards, solid manure
storages is widely recognized as an
effective management practice.
Since 2001, as part of the Clean
Water Project, over 90 eavestroughing
projects have been carried out in Perth,
Oxford and Middlesex Counties, by
local Conservation Authorities. Some
of the details around costs include:
• The typical cost for installation of
THINK PLASTICS
RECYCLES RALE WRAP
Think Plastics is currently collecting
the white 100 per cent polyethylene
plastic film used to wrap bales, and white
greenhouse covering plastic, at the
following landfill locations in Perth
County: South Easthope, Milverton,
Elma, and Wallace.
The response to the recycling initiative
has been great, and Think Plastics
appreciates the co-operation of the
municipalities and the farming community.
In order for the program to continue to
benefit everyone, farmers are reminded
to:
•shake the plastic to ensure there are
no rocks and a minimum of dirt. Plastic
with excessive dirt will be refused.
• roll the plastic into three 10 five Ib.
balls
• DO NOT tie the plastic with twine or
put into bags.0
50 THE RURAL VOICE
eavestrough with downspouts was $4-5
/ft.
• In addition to the eavestrough,
many projects required underground
piping to carry the water to a safe
outlet. These projects averaged about
$8.50/ft of eavestrough installed.
Some thoughts about installing
eavestrough on barns and other farm
buildings:
• Have a well thought-out plan:
° Is new fascia or other structural
support needed?
°Where is the best or most suitable
outlet location?
° Consider ice damage potential.
° Is there a way to break up very
large roofs?
• Ensure the discharge/outlet location is
well away from potential sources of
contamination
• If at all possible. hook up downspouts
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
June 23, 2005 — 8:00 p.m.
Perth Agri -Centre, Rostock
Everyone Is welcome.
to nearby underground tiles that will
carry the runoff to a safe outlet
• Ensure that the outlet location does
not cause soil erosion or inconvenient
wet areas, and as with any tile drainage
outlet protect against rodent damage.
It is also very important to consider
eavestrough or other barn drainage
needs during new construction, to
ensure the long-term integrity of the
structure's foundation. Where
eavestroughs are not preferred, French
drains (gravel -filled trenches with
perforated tile), may be installed along
the toe of the buildings to offer suitable
foundation drainage. Contact a local
eavestrough installer who specializes in
farm -related projects, or your local
Conservation Authority for more ideas
around clean water diversions.0
Tenders invited for
OFA's IPM building
OFA Building at IPM '05 - OFA will be
tendering for the construction and use of
a building at the IPM '05 site, please
contact OFA Member Service Rep. Paul
Nairn at 482-9642 for tendering form.
Tenders will be accepted until June 15,
2005.
CAREER ADVENTURE FOR STUDENTS
ENTERING GRADE 10, 11 OR 12
Come and experience an adventure in learning about careers in agriculture,
horticulture, and environmental management, at Rotary Career Adventure 2005 to be held
in Ridgetown, Ontario!
The Rotary Career Adventure program is offering a three -to -four-day adventure, from
August 21 - 24 that will open your eyes to the wide range of careers available within these
areas. The program is open to students entering grades 10, 11 or 12, who are interested in
a career adventure. Rotary Career Adventure allows you to acquire an understanding of
what occupations in these areas will entail, and may help you make a decision in your
future career.
Youth participants will be traveling to local businesses in Southwestern ,Ontario to
discover Ontario's exciting and plentiful career opportunities. The program has been
offered for several years each time bringing positive feedback.
Aside from the career experiences, you will have a chance to experience college
residence life, hear keynote speakers and participate in some recreational activities. An
added bonus is meeting up to 110 new acquaintances that have similar interests.
If you are adventurous and interested in career exploration then this camp is for you.
The registration fee is only $249 which includes all of your meals, accommodations and
program travel and activities. Sponsorships for this event may be available at your local
Rotary or service clubs as well as some agricultural, horticultural or environmentally
focused businesses. Self -sponsorship is always an option.
To participate in Rotary Career Adventure 2005, contact Ridgetown College by phone
at 519-674-1596, or email: abc@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca or Rob Watson, Rotary Co -
Chairperson, phone at 519-674-3278 or email at rkwatson@netrover.com If Rotary Career
Adventure 2005 sounds like your kind of program then contact us or check us out online at
www.ridgetownc.on.ca Applications are due by July 29th, 2005. Hope to see you at Rotary
Career Adventure 2005!0