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The Rural Voice, 1999-02, Page 48GREY 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 Email: gcfa®greynet.net Website: headwaters.com/gcta 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER • The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey County Farmers by the GCFA. By Pearl Bumstead OFA Regional Director Grey North Just as I was to set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, a news release came over the fax from Canadian Federation of Agriculture President, Jack Wilkinson requesting Canadian farmers to lobby their local MPs, MPPs and MLAs and the Minister of Agriculture. The call comes because many farmers are facing the worst income crisis since the Great Depression and they are waiting for the federal provincial governments to get out the details of a national income disaster relief program! "Farmers in financial distress are having to make decisions on a daily basis. They need to have the right information on which to base those decisions. Time is a luxury many farmers no longer have at their disposal," quotes C.F.A. President, Jack Wilkinson. The Grey County Federation of Agriculture is also working very hard at getting information to local farmers regarding a drought relief program that is currently underway. As many of you are aware Grey and Bruce Counties have circulated a drought survey and as of December 14, 1998 over 1,000 surveys have See Page 15 for dates and locations for Environmental Farm Plan Workshops in Grey County GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTORS' MEETING Thursday, February 25, 1999 1:00 p.m. OMAFRA Boardroom, Markdale Members are welcome to attend. 44 THE RURAL VOICE Document the drought! been sent in and 21 townships have declared themselves as "disaster areas" in whole or in part. Many area farmers are just now realizing the effects the dry weather had in their water tables and will more than likely he looking for compensation when financial relief does happen. As a result of the surveys a Bruce Grey Drought Disaster Committee was formed consisting of two representatives from each of the 21 townships which have declared a disaster. Chairperson is Bill Davis, RR 2, Dobbinton and can be reached at 519-353-5446 and the Secretary - Treasurer is Dawn Brunton, RR 1, Mildmay, ON NOG 2J0. The Grey County Federation of Agriculture would also have a list of the representative in your area, so call to find out your local contact persons if need be. When the Committee realizes results and funding becomes available it will be important to be able to provide accurate information to fill in a funding application form. You will need to know all details of the loss in your operation, so be prepared to provide this, don't leave it until the night before the deadline. These winter nights when the roads are closed anyway would be a good time to start! Farmers are the best procrastinators I know, because I'm one of them. Have a productive and safe New Year!0 Grey County Federation of Agriculture CURLING BONSPIEL Markdale Curling Club Saturday, February 6, 1999 Draws at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Each Township Federation is asked to enter a team! Entry Fee: $80 per team 2 Eight End Games Delicious Dinner Everyone takes home a prize! Contact: Albert McLean 519-376-0648 or Hanover Office: 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 GCFA 54th Annual Public Speaking Competition 1999 Semi -Finals: North-West: Tuesday, February 23, 1999 7:00 p.m. Keppel -Sarawak School, R.R. #2, Owen Sound North -Centre: Tuesday, February 23, 1999 7:0(it`p.m. Alexandra Community School, 1525 7th Ave. East, Owen Sound North-East: Tuesday, February 23, 1999 7:30 p.m. St. Vincent-Euphrasia School, R.R. #4, Meaford South-West: Wednesday, February 24, 1999 7:30 p.m. Holy Family Separate School, IOth Ave., Hanover South -East: Thursday, February 25, 1999 7:30 p.m. MacPhail Memorial, Flesherton Finals: Tuesday, March 2, 1999 7:30 p.m. Beaver Valley Public School, Bruce Street, Thornbury i