The Rural Voice, 1998-01, Page 55RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
414 807-486-3622
Amilm • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
December 8, /997
Winter is here and Christmas is just
around the comer. If you could see the
District today, it's a breathtaking vista
like the Christmas cards that are
flowing through the busy Post Offices
after the strike. Damp weather has
provided a Heaven's masterpiece
covering everything in its path with
snowy white frost. The season always
brings out the best in everyone and
happy wishes are generously
exchanged. Oh, if it could only last
throughout the whole year.
The RRFA held their December 2
meeting at Morley with the new
executive attending. President is Kim
Desserre; Vice President is Stan
Armstrong; Secretary, Lucy Lahti;
treasurer, Don McCullough. Others
present were Kristine Carpenter,
Shirley Morrish, Rick Neilson, Rudy
Sinninghe, Wayne Flatt and James
Gibson.
Kim gave a brief report on her trip
to the annual convention in November.
OFA clearly wants to hear from all
young farmers and has recognized that
those who are just beginning a career in
agriculture have different needs and
priorities. They also have different
challenges to face than the aging farm
population. It was "A Call to the
Future" and OFA is playing a key role
in shaping the future for the needs of
the young farmer of today.
Member Services Representative,
Rick Neilson is reminding everyone of
the deadline date for the Farm Tax
Incentive Program. It is December 31,
1997.
Ag in the Classroom reps, Kristine
and Shirley are in the process of having
a banner created for their future AITC
displays. Cost and design are still in the
planning stage. Since it is a non-profit
organization, it is dependent on other
agricultural organizations for funding.
Kristine reported for the
Community pasture committee. She
said that the number was up from last
year and that the pasture made a profit
season.
Noxious Weeds came under heavy
discussion once again. Amos had it on
his list of "jobs to be done" last year, so
was approached again to see if the
could continue on finding a solution. It
was mentioned that some birdseeds
carry a large number of weed seeds that
the public is unaware of. The Weeds
Act covers all of Ontario. Different
regions have different weeds. But as
time goes on, seed can be transported
in so many different and unusual ways.
Somewhere, somehow, someone must
get the situation under control.
All Rural Organizations were
invited to a meeting concerning the
grant program developed to fund
infrastructure improvements and
development opportunities in Northern
Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
along with Ontario Ministry of
Northern Development and Mines, are
working together to inform project
applicants of the Northern Ontario
Heritage Fund (NOHFC). Over a four-
year period, the program will invest
$210 million. For more information,
call Gary at OMAFRA (807) 482-2310.
A Calving Clinic Workshop, just for
women, will be held at OMAFRA in
Emo on Thursday, January 22, 1998
from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Rainy River District Soil and Crop
Association will be holding their
annual meeting on December 11, 1997
at 10:00 a.m. at the Emo Inn.
Rainy River Agricultural Society
(fairboard) will have their annual
meeting Tuesday, December 9 at 8:00
p.m. in the Legion Auditorium in Emo.
Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association have postponed their
December meeting to a date in January.
The 4-1-1 Annual Leaders' Association
meeting is on Friday, January 23, 1998
at 6:30 p.m. with a social followed by
supper at 7:00 p.m. This all takes place
at the Golf and Country Club near Fort
Frances.
The Annual 4-H Awards Banquet is
Friday, February 6, 1998 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Devlin Community Centre. All
4-11 members and leaders get a free
ticket, but everyone planning to attend,
be it members or guests, must call
Kimlo Calder before January 31 to
register. No tickets will be sent out in
the mail or passed on to others as in the
past, if people are unable to attend.
Reg Hopkins, Regional Marketing
Officer and Field Services Rep. for
Dairy Farmers of Ontario, is retiring
after 30 years of employment with
dairy producers in Rainy River, Dryden
and Thunder Bay. He is to be replaced
by Ron Quinton. Did you know that 30
per cent of Ontario's beef production
comes from the dairy industry? That
has to be those great hamburgers at
McDonald's — right Rudy?
A video on assessing the Market
Value of Beef Calves, is available for
$10 (including taxes) from OMAFRA.
It shows what buyers look for — why
some cattle bring higher prices over
others, and it evaluates calves in an
actual market situation.
Rudy and Kim had a very
informative meeting with MPP,
Howard Hampton in November. Give
one of them a call if any of your
questions was answered.
The Farm Progress Building will be
celebrating its 20th Anniversary in
1998 at the Emo Fall Fair. If you have
any ideas or suggestions on ways to
commemorate this time, call Linda
Armstrong at 807-852-3645.
Congratulations to Director Bill
Darby on becoming the new District
Manager for the Ministry of Natural
Resources.
Did you see the 20 x 25 glossy ads
that Bell Canada put out in the mail to
advertise Christmas telephones? It does
make one wonder if our rates will take
another hike to pay for the
extravagance.
With Christmas season upon us,
remember to hold fast to the principles
that guide your life. Don't exceed what
is realistic to your family. Simple
things can be fun. Fun doesn't have to
cost a fortune and giving your children
and grandchildren roots and wings only
takes creative planning. "It's not where
you go in life that matters, it's who
you're with".
Season's Greetings to all my faithful
readers. Blessings in 1998.0
Shirley Morrish
JANUARY 1998 51