The Rural Voice, 1991-03, Page 60BRUCE 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County farmers by the BCFA.
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1990
• Monthly meetings (fourth Monday at
OMAF Walkerton). Members and
farmers are welcome to express views or
concerns.
• Annual meeting with MPs and MPPs:
bi-annually held in conjunction with
Tommy Cooper Award presented to an
individual in Bruce or Grey County for
outstanding service to agriculture.
• Annual iobby trip to Ottawa and
Queen's Park. Six directors had the
opportunity for discussion of issues and
concerns with government representa-
tives, meeting with John Crow, Gover-
nor of the Bank of Canada, senior Agri-
culture Canada officials, Farm Credit
Corporation head office staff, and poli-
ticians of all three parties.
• Hosted all -candidates meetings for
provincial election.
• Participation in Chesley Agri -Fair and
Mildmay Agri -Spiel as well as Grey -
Bruce Farmer's Week in Chesley.
• Provided subscriptions to The Rural
Voice magazine and Farm and Country
newspaper to each farm family in the
county, regardless of membership.
• Annual county meeting— an opportu-
nity for Bruce County farmers to hear
and question Hon. Elmer Buchanan,
Ontario Minister of Agriculture.
• Met with Roger George re: develop-
ment of safety programs (GRIP and
NISA).
• Representation to Rural Connections,
a Grey and Bruce Counties organization
addressing mental health concerns in
the rural community.
• Provide training seminar for directors
to help them to be effective.
• Ongoing discussion and input into the
issues which face the farming commu-
nity, through affiliation with OFA.
• Support for Queen's Bush Rural Min-
istry.
• Award of merit presented to an indi-
vidual who has made a significant con-
tribution to the agricultural industry in
Bruce County.
• Participation with commodity boards
54 THE RURAL VOICE
in raising consumer awareness of agri-
culture by hosting Agri -Food week
events.
• Representation to ARDA and Farm
Safety Association.
• Provided support and promotion for
educational and training programs —
Advanced Agricultural Training Insti-
tute and Ontario Agricultural Training
Institute (OATI).
• Hosted public meetings on the issue of
canine predators, and have representa-
tion on Grey -Bruce committee to deal
with the issue.
• Provided support for provincial Junior
Farmer Winter Games hosted by the
Bruce County chapter.
• Presentation to provincial government
task force on farm finance and credit.
• Fiftieth Anniversary Year: celebration
at picnic for members; recognition of all
past BCFA presidents by presentation
of plaque and pins at annual meeting.
• Special meetings with Murray Cardiff,
MP, Parliamentary Assistant, and Pre-
mier of Ontario Bob Rae.
• Sponsored GST information meeting.
• Publish annual paper in conjunction
with our annual meeting.0
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 1991
"The Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture works for the economic and
social well being of the agricultural
community, through leadership, advo-
cacy, and co-operation."
• We have undertaken a strategic plan-
ning process to more clearly define our
role in the strategic issues facing agri-
culture.
• Our environment committee will be
representing Bruce County farmers on
the questions of land use and topsoil
removal as well as waste management.
• Regular monthly board meetings will
include an information speaker on vari-
ous topics.
• The Bruce County Federation of Agri-
culture will be prepared to address a
number of issues on behalf of the farm
community. These may include waste
management, international trade, farm
finance, land use, and nuisance animals.
• The "Future of Farming" project will
develop its "Vision for Agriculture"
statement for presentation to OFA and
the farm community.
• Providing educational opportunities
for farmers by sponsoring Ontario Agri-
cultural Training Institute courses such
as GST and "Working With People."
• Involvement with agricultural aware-
ness committee.
• The board intends to continue all of the
excellent programs outlined as Accom-
plishments 1990, and is always open to
new suggestions and requests.
• To ensure each member has an OFA
gate sign.
• To visit members over a three year
period.0
BCFA DIRECTORS' MEETING
Monday, February 25
Monday, March 25
OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to attend
i