The Rural Voice, 2005-06, Page 55RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
416
PO Box 416, EMO, ON POW 1 E0
807-482-2051
The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
May 17, 2005
The weather has not been overly co-
operative this past week. I trust you
have been able to escape the colds that
this kind of weather seems to invite.
The sun is shining this morning and
there is promise of sun and a little
warmth for tomorrow. The plants that
were over -wintered are looking a little
spindly and it will be nice to put them
out in the flowerbeds. Our tulips at the
south of the house are blooming but the
peonies are just barely above ground.
Even my rhubarb is slow.
The spring dinner was held in the
Legion on April 22 with Ontario
President Ron Bonnett as guest
speaker. Ron spoke of the spread
between what the consumer pays and
what the farmer producer receives for
the food we all need. He concurred
with current feelings that the consumer
pays enough but the return to the
farmer is not enough for viability.
There is yet to be found a way to
monitor what the middleman receives.
Ron advised that farmers and
agriculture in general need to look into
investing in sustainable, alternative
energy products. There is currently
research ongoing into mustard seed oil
and canola seed oil in the bio -diesel
fuel. He explained that some farmers
are looking into corn oil as a fuel and
altering their cropping practises to
accommodate the possibility of profit.
The other speaker was Brian
Brattengeier from the Ontario
Provincial Police Drug Unit in Thunder
Bay. His talk on the growing of
marijuana moving to indoor grow -ops
and what those of us who are aware of
our surroundings should notice and
report are obvious to the eye and nose.
Empty houses with the windows
covered, the smells that are not usually
associated with the neighbourhood,
how the hydro is diverted into the said
house. The component of the
marijuana that produces the "high" is
stronger in the marijuana grown
indoors by sometimes as much as 10
per cent.
Some of the newer problem areas
are the methamphetamine labs that are
making synthetic cocaine from cold
medications sold over the counter
mixed with fertilizer and cooked in
someone's home kitchen. These are
extremely dangerous and highly
addictive. The prescription drugs such
as Oxycodone and Percocet are the
street drugs of choice along with
Valium and have a street value per pill
that make it attractive to dealers. His
comment on the much maligned gun
registry made sense. It doesn't register
those of the criminal element in society
but does give police a heads up when
attending some of the domestic calls
they respond to, and if a registered gun
is stolen then they can file it in the
back of the mind and be prepared.
Past -president Bernie Zimmerman
called President Trish Neilson to the
front and presented her with the gavel
and the president's pin.
Kim Jo Bliss spoke for a few
minutes on the time and example given
by the recipient of the Bill Gibson
award for outstanding volunteer
service to agriculture in the Rainy
River District. While one brother was
involved in various off -farm activities
the other made it possible by doing the
chores that are involved in a family
farm. James and Robert Gibson were
the recipients of the award. James
serves as a volunteer firefighter, served
on the fair board and our local
Federation board while Robert kept the
home fires under control. They are to
be commended for the service they
give to their community.
The Rainy River Federation of
Agriculture met on May 3 in the
Stratton Municipal office. The reports
of the various committees were
received. The entertainment committee
was congratulated on the good job they
did for the spring dinner. There were a
few housekeeping details looked into
and the count reported was very good.
The committee was given the mandate
to research the time, date, and place for
the annual meeting. It will hopefully be
held in October in time to send names
and resolutions in to Toronto for the
convention documents to be received
by the delegates. The convention dates
are November 21-22.
The Bright Ideas Committee has
contacted the Rainy River Future
Development Board with a request
concerning the possibility of a bus trip
to Agribition in Regina, Dairy Expo in
Madison, Wisconsin, or the Royal
Winter Fair in Toronto.
Kris Carpenter reported on the
OAFE meeting with the Rainy River
Board of Education and has some ideas
to put the information into the
classrooms. There is a PA Day in
August and one in October where the
committee will hopefully be able to
make contact with the teachers. The
committee is hoping to set up at the
Farmers' Market in Fort Frances for
Father's Day Market. They are looking
at some form of display for Ag Week
and have made contact with Lucinda
Meyers at Donald Young School. They
are considering a display in Rainy
River for Railroad Daze and in the
Rainy River Farmers' Market during
Pumpkin days. A busy committee.
Linda Armstrong reported on the
farm progress building. There have
been 20 responses returned and she
gave some of the forms to those of us
who might have contacts in the
community that she thinks she may
have missed. The sign for the outside
of the building is being looked at for
necessary upkeep and mounting.
Kim Jo reported that the vet
committee contacts have been sent to
the municipalities and the new
veterinarian and her husband have
arrived in the district and she has
joined the Nor -West Animal Clinic.
We extend a Rainy River welcome to
Dr. Heather Gunn -McQuillan and her
husband Jarrod to the Rainy River
District and hope they will find us
hospitable and they will feel at home in
our midst.
Some of the upcoming events on
our calendar to be marking down: May
26-29. Emo Walleye Tournament:
June 10, Semen order going in:
September 3. Cattle Sale, Stratton:
October 1. Cattle Sale. Stratton.
The farm beautification brochures
have gone out with the fair board prize
booklet. Keep your eyes peeled and
enter and add to the fun of going to the
fair.
There will be a follow-up meeting
to wind up the results of the
Ag/Summit held in March. to he held
in the Stratton Municipal office at 7:30
p.m. on May 24. Decisions will he
taken as to where we go from here and
perhaps meet again in the fall.
If a man could have half his wishes,
he would double his troubles. (Francois
de La Rochefoucauld 1613-80).0
- Srrhnritiec/ h%
Jacquelyn Hun>hrrcrr
JUNE 2005 51