The Rural Voice, 2005-09, Page 80GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email: grey@ota.on.ca Website: www.ofa.on.calgrey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
• The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Grey County by the GCFA
A reflection of the past three years
It all began one busy fall afternoon
in late September 2002 about two
weeks before the Annual Meeting
when Gertie Blake. OFA Field
Representative came to see me. She
was on a mission to recruit a new
president for the Grey County
Federation of Agriculture (GCFA).
My name was one of a group of
possible candidates.
After giving it some thought for
several days, on Tuesday .before the
meeting on Friday night, I agreed to
let my name stand (thinking that my
chances would be slim when it would
come time for an election.). On
Thursday one day before the annual
meeting and election Gertie phoned
with the nerve-wracking news that I
would probably become the next
President of the GCFA.
With the support of my wife,
fellow directors and a very capable
secretary, I began a steep learning
curve. That support has been much
appreciated and needed to get me
through the rough times.
First up was the Nutrient
Management consultations where
Grey County Federation prepared and
presented their point of view. A lot of
work has been done by each County
Federation and the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture. Two and a
half years later we finally have some
form of a Nutrient Management Plan.
Then the problems with BSE
started which required a lot of time,
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
September 22, 2005
8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services
Centre meeting room
(Grey Gables)
206 Toronto Street South,
Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
76 THE RURAL VOICE
discussions and meetings. But
whatever we did it didn't seem to
help much. It felt like we were at the
mercy of the United States. The focus
then shifted from the border opening
to rebuilding the Canadian beef
slaughter industry.
At the same time farmers are
being subjected to an ever-increasing
decline in farm income. So finally we
took our problems to Queen's Park
on March 2, 2005 by an organized
rally called the One Voice farmers'
group, which has now been renamed
as the "Unified Voice" of farmers.
In conclusion, I believe that we
must continue to educate the general
public about a general understanding
of agriculture and work further the
progress of the "Unified Voice" of
farmers to one day become one large
single farm organization. One large
farm organization can develop a
long-term agriculture policy
workable for the farmers and the
government.
Thanks to all those people who
have worked hard to make the last
three years possible.0
— Paul De Jong, President
Grey County Federation of
Agriculture
Farmers Feed Cities - Postcard Campaign
Please support the "Farmers Feed Cities!" yellow postcard campaign by
signing a card and returning it to the Ontario Grain and Oilseed Safety Net
Committee.
The card contains a clear message for the Premier to support the Risk
Management Program (RMP) for Ontario farmers. Farmers and the general
public are being asked to support this campaign.
Cards are available at local County Federation of Agriculture offices, or call
519-767-1744 or visit the website at www.farmersfeedcities.com
Many agri-businesses also have the post cards available.0
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
65TH ANNUAL MEETING AND BANQUET
AND OFA REGIONAL MEETING
Friday, October 14, 2005
Markdale Community Centre
Social: 6:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Ron Bonnett, OFA President
Also - New Environmental Farm Plan Information,
Ray Robertson, Co-ordinator
Tickets: $15/person (available from Township Presidents or our office)
NOTE: OFA Regional Directors, Delegates and Alternates for OFA
Convention and GCFA Presidents will be elected at the meeting.