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The Rural Voice, 1991-10, Page 53RAINY RWER Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER Box 416, Emo, Ontario POW 1E0 807-482-2051 • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy River Federation members by the RRFA. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) wrote "The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of the land." It's too bad that society in the rest of the world has forgotten just how important the farmer is to the well-being of the world. The Rainy River Federation of Agri- culture met on September 5 in the Our Lady of the Way Separate School in Stratton at 7:30 p.m. Directors present were: Linda Armstrong, Gertie Bujold, Peggy Mason, Shirley Morrish, Wayne Flatt, Gary Esselink, Susan Boersma, Kim Hunsperger, and Jacquelyn Hun- sperger. Peggy Mason reported that we had a successful Farm Progress Building at the Fair this year. There were 54 booths rented. Eric Brandrick took first prize, and our own consumer education com- mittee was second. Congratulations to Shirley Morrish and Kim Hunsperger for the work they did for the committee. Shirley Morris reported that the ARDA meeting was a worthwhile meet- ing, but few were able to attend. The consumer education committee is planning a meeting to prepare for some Agri -Food Week activities. Gary Esselink reported a three to five per cent reduction in MSQ for the dairy community. We will be able to purchase from the exchange for the first time. I understand that we will be able to use the exchange for a year to replace or make new purchases of the MSQ. It seems we were too complacent here in the Rainy River District. Mike Neilson is spending a great deal of time in Dryden. It was such a short time ago I heard the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Elmer Buchanan, seconded by Chuck Jacobs, say it was such a good idea to have a second man in the Emo office. I guess we should have kept thanking "them" for the second man. "They" seem to have moved him north. The membership committee has its hands full again. It appears the old saying, "I don't need to join. I'm getting the benefits without spending a penny," is being used with a lot of emphasis again. It seems strange that many of those approached don't say "it's expen- sive," just "I get everything." It can get some of us riled just a tad. Some of those concerned with the September 7 Stratton Sale are express- ing pleasure with the prices received. The reports state over 300 head sold. The only complaint I heard was the length of time it took to sell that number. The weather today is really fall. The wind is from the north, and it is a very cold drizzle. I think it is trying to tell us something: school back in, cattle sales, garden cleanup, and the rush to get everything ready for winter. It's adding extra hours to a day that is already too short. The bull test station will be receiving bulls on October 8 for testing this win- ter. The paperwork should be in as soon as possible. We flew home from Toronto yester- day, and I found that Kim has borrowed my electric typewriter, and I am having fun trying to use the old portable Under- wood that was second hand when Ralph got it when he was 21. I seem to lose the train of thought while making certain the keys are hit hard enough to print clearly. Ralph's surgery looks good. Dr. Wiley will see him again towards the end of the month, and hopefully the pain will be gone. The 26 hour bus trip was a little more than we bargained for, but it is over, and life goes on. The withdrawal symptoms are start- ing, and we are already a little lost as the heifers moved out. The Cattlemen's Association sale dates remaining are the feeder sale on October 12, and the general livestock sale on October 26. The cows are all bred for next spring's calving season. The consumer education committee will be putting a display up at the annual meeting, and for Agri -Food Week, Oc- tober 6 to 12, there will be quizzes on CFOB with prizes. On Saturday, Octo- ber 12, the display will be at the Farmers Market, and there will be a free draw. The annual meeting dinner and dance for the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is slated for October 5, 1991, in the Stratton Hall. Social hour is at 6:00 p.m., with dinner at 7:00, and dancing from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m. The guest speaker is Gerry Carey, OFA Executive Director, and tickets are available from your local director at $14. Rain in September is good for the farmer, but poison to the vine grower. Preserve your fodder in September and your cow will fatten. Fair on September 1, fair for the month. September blow soft till the fruit's in the loft. I hope to have more news for next month's column. If I can stay home for a while, I'll make it.0 Jacquelyn PREPAID CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FORM REGULAR CLASSIFIED Ad rate is only $8 for a maximum of 20 words. Each additional word — 40 cents. Over six insertions —10% off total cost. Name, address, and telephone are free. Please print ad clearly. Payment is to accompany the order, or a $4 billing charge will be added. (Please add 7% GST) T Please insert my classified ad times starting with the Signature: issue. I enclose $ Send to The Rural Voice, Box 429, Blyth, Ont. NOM 1 HO. OCTOBER 1991 49