The Rural Voice, 1992-08, Page 47ensure a producer will not reduce
their FSAM 1 entitlement for grains
and oilseeds.
Completing the application forms
is a challenge! By treating the
challenge like getting a run in a
baseball game, a person can come out
a winner! Getting to first base
requires detailed, accurate farm
records. In order to slide into second
base, time and patience is needed to
sort and organize the forms and the
information. To round third base
may require help from coaches.
NISA questions can be answered by
your accountant, NISA at 1-800-665-
6472 or by contacting the local
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food office. A run will be scored
when you cross home plate, that is,
the completed application is in the
mail by September 30, 1992.0
John Bancroft
Farm Management Specialist
WDSS Agri Co-op holds
appreciation dinner
"The different ideas I learned will
make a lasting impression on the
decisions I make for many years to
come," summarized Todd Holm at
the Agriculture/Agribusiness Co-
operative Education Appreciation
Dinner held June 18.
Todd Holm, a student from
Walkerton District Secondary School
(WDSS) was speaking to the em-
ployers who provided work place-
ments for WDSS's new Agri Co-op
program. the program is a joint effort
of WDSS, the local community,
agricultural organizations and
government agencies.
The unique features of the eight -
credit co-op program include place-
ments in three different work stations
as well as in -school courses in Envi-
ronmental Scicnce, Business Mathe-
matics and Media English that were
adapted with an agricultural theme.
An advisory committee which
represents farmers, agribusinesses,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture &
Food and Agricultural Employment
Services provided valuable resources
to the school.
At the appreciation dinner the
partners in this specialized program,
employers, students, advisory com-
mittee and WDSS staff reflected on
the first year of the program. Stu-
dents like Todd Holm, who are from
farms, learned about different equip-
ment and farm management strate-
gies. Other students were introduced
to the business of farming and related
careers. The first "graduating" class
of the Agri Co-op program include:
Tim Altman, Dawn Clark, Ryan
Donaldson, Ken Elphick, Dwayne
Eskrick, Kirk Fortune, Blain
Hemstock, Todd Holm, Murray
Lotton, and Shawn Merritt.
Employers indicated that the Agri
Co-op program provided them with
opportunities to learn from the
students as well as be involved in
training future workers in agriculture.
Enthusiasm and publicity genera-
ted by the program has led to an in-
crease in student enrollment in this
program for next year. It is evident
that all partners are committed to fu-
ture success of this unique program.0
Water Matters
Advice on boating and clean water
Boating can be one of the great
pleasures of a Canadian summer.
The warm breeze and the beautiful
blue water make for a great day.
While boating, remember to protect
the lakes and rivers from pollution —
the pollution that could potentially
come from your craft. Here are some
environmental ups for boat operators:
1. Sewage should be retained for
disposal on shore.
2. Garbage should be kept for
proper disposal on shore.
3. Always keep your engine tuned
so as not to waste fuel.
4. Use correct oil and gas
mixtures.
5. Avoid spillage — fill up
portable tanks away from water, don't
overfill fuel tanks (leave space for
expansion of fuel as it warms up)
6. Don't run your motor if not
necessary. If waiting for someone at
a dock, tum your motor off.
7. When a tank is used for
outboard motor testing, do not empty
the contents in the water.
8. If the bilge is cleaned, do not
empty the contents in the water.
9. Do not dump washwater from
Advice
Silos need to be
checked regularly
Dennis Harper of Kitchener Silo
attended the Huron County Farm and
Home Safety Association's media
day on July 7 to discuss the dangers
of poorly maintained silos.
"The main cause of personal
injuries from falls in silos is
negligence on the part of the silo
owner," he said. The numbcr of
injuries that occur specifically in
silos, Harper said, is "tremendous".
The majority of falls occur in the
chute area and the outside ladder.
Traditionally, Harper said, there arc
23 doors in the chute arca. These
shrink over time so that they no long-
er fit properly and the victim can fall
through. Also it allows oxygen into
the silo, which may contribute to silo
fire and will lower the food quality.
Due to the large number of older
silos in use that are rarely emptied
and thc rebuilt used silos that arc not
erected to current building codes
there will continue to be a problem.
The silos that have deteriorated on
the inner surface will only continue to
do so over the years, weakening the
bottom.
Every year, Harper said, moist
feed allows more acid to penetrate the
wall, softening it, while thc silo
unloader action removes the loose
aggregate, leaving the wall structural-
ly weaker. Structural repair must be
boats — store it until it can be
. properly disposed of.
Fuel spills and oil in water upset
the ecological balance in lakes and
rivers and can also have negative
effects on the lifetime and growth of
fish. Taking these few precautionary
steps will help in preserving the
bounty of our freshwater systems.°
This is another in a series of articles
by Janette Smiderle of the Saugeen
Valley Conservation Authority,
highlighting information on water
quality in the rural environment.
AUGUST 1992 43