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The Rural Voice, 2005-08, Page 53PERTH PCFA Office - Rostock, ON NOK 1TO 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 Environmental incentives By Paul Mistele, Vice -President Ontario Federation of Agriculture Agriculture and a healthy environment have long been recognized as successful working partners in Ontario. Farmers are custodians of the land and have been doing what is right for the environment for years. More than a decade ago the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition proposed the successful idea of Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) as a means of ensuring agriculture continued to be pro -active with environmental initiatives. Farmers saw what the EFP provided for them and their land, the concept began to grow. At first, $1,500 in funding was made available to encourage farmers to undertake environmental improvements identified as beneficial for their properties. This was done with the help pf EFP co-ordinators, EFP work books, and peer review groups. The value of the EFP in Ontario was quickly recognized and expanded to all provinces. Ontario farmers can now access up to $30,000 from the Canada -Ontario Environmental Farm Plan, recently announced by our provincial and federal governments. This new program is in place through to March 31, 2008, and producers are encouraged to enroll and benefit from the additional funding secured by their farm organizations. Details of the expanded EFP are available from the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), delivery agent for the program. They can be reached on the Internet at www.ontariosoilcrop.org or by telephone at 1-800-265-9751. OSCIA has a network of co-ordinators across the province conducting workshops for farmers interested in participating in the program. Member Service Representatives of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. strategically located across the province, can help producers get enrolled in the program. The new program has recently been detailed to producers through a mail -out. Farmers are urged to review the details provided in that brochure and follow through with the application process. Under the new EFP, producers can get up to $30,000 for such projects as improved manure handling and storage, manure treatment, and relocation of livestock confinement and horticultural ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN WORKSHOPS These are one and one -half-day workshops. Completion of an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) w II make you eligible for the Environmental Cost -Share Opportunities for Ontario farmer You also need to have an EFP completed and deemed appropriate to quality for funding for the Nutrient Management Financial Assistance Program. • July 20/July 27 - Milverton • August 17/August 23 - Rostock • September 29/October 6 - Rostock • October 19/October 25 - Milverton • November 10/November 15 - Rostock • November 30/December 8 - Milverton Must register by calling Mary at 393-6232 ROTflRY CflREER flDUEDTURE PROGRflm Career Adventure for students entering Grade 10, 11 or 12 Explore careers in Agriculture, Horticulture and the Environment at Ridgetown, Ontario August 21 to August 24, 2005 Registration deadline is July 29, 2005 The registration fee remains at $249 covering the costs of meals, refreshments, accommodations, and all program and activities. To register contact Ridgetown College by phone at 519-674-1596 or email at abc@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca or check us out online at www.ridgetownc.on.ca Last year Perth County Federation of Agriculture helped sponsor tour youth to attend this program. This year we will sponsor a limited number of youth from Perth County with half the registration fee. To request sponsorship call the PCFA office.G 50 THE RURAL VOICE ' The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Perth County by the PCFA. facilities. Another feature of the new program allows producers to incorporate some of the value of their work in getting the project done. The brochure sent to all farmers lists almost 100 possible projects that can qualify for funding. Farmers who participated in earlier versions of the EFP may be considered for expanded work under this new program. We suggest every producer get in touch with the OSCIA's regional project co- ordinator to explore all the possibilities this new program may offer. OFA, as one of the partners in securing and managing this new EFP program, is anxious to ensure every producer has the opportunity to use the program to bring their farms to the highest possible environmental standard.0 PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE ANNUAL MEETING Thursday, October 27, 2005 Mitchell Community Centre Meal. 7:00 p.m. — meeting to follow Tickets will be available from County Directors PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTORS' MEETING Thursday, August 25 — 8:00 p.m. Perth Agri -Centre, Rostock Everyone is welcome. Annual Harvest Day Mystery Tour Sunday, October 2, 2005 Kirkton Area PERTH COUNTY PLOWING MATCH Saturday, August 27 Host farm - Barb and Andy MacLean, 6460 Line 21 Registration 8:00 a.m. Classes start at 9:30 a.m. BBQ and Awards Mitchell Crystal Palace BBQ hosted by Perth Jr. Farmers 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 call 356-2847 Awards and prizes at 4:30 p.m.