The Rural Voice, 1999-07, Page 46RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
ALAL
RAINY RIVER VALLEY • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
June S, 1999
The Rainy River District is so wet
right now that wild rice would be the
top crop to grow this year. There are
still many producers who have been
unable to get their grain seeded and the
ones who have, are worried about too
much moisture. It's not moisture any
longer, it's mini lakes.everywhere. But,
I'm sure that a month from now,
everyone will be wishing for rain
again.
The June RRFA meeting was held
at Morley, with Linda Armstrong,
Dianne Vandenbrand, Wade Desserre,
Betty Salchert, KimJo Calder, Kristine
Carpenter, Shirley Morrish, James
Gibson and Rudy Sinninghe.
Betty reported that a website for the
convention has been set up for anyone
interested. Betty will be at her booth at
fair time if anyone has questions about
RRFA business.
Kristine gave her report on OAFE-
Ontario Agricultural Food Education.
There are several new kits available for
the teachers to use. Our committee will
be visiting each school in the district to
leave information on just what is
available from the organization. Farm
tours by the school groups are going
very well and have become very
popular for family groups as well. The
sunflower promotion display at the
Clover Valley Farmers' Market was a
hit with the garden people. Sunflower
seeds were handed out with a promise
to plant them as soon as they could and
to think of the farmers who toil the
fields and grow our food.
Rudy, reporting for the milk
committee, said that the milk sign near
VanDrunen Road will be changed, so
next time you're driving that way, take
an extra look to the north side of the
road.
Linda said that there are 15 booths
spoken for to date for the Farm
Progress Building. Two of them are
brand new displays. With emo
celebrating 100 years, it looks like this
year's fair will be a special one.
The NorthWest Link Newsetter is
continuing with the list of new
sponsors as business cards throughout
the issues. There will be 12 issues per
year and if you belong to any
agricultural organization, you will
continue to receive a copy each month.
Rainy River Feeder Finance has an
opening for one supervisor and one
secretary -treasurer. Deadline for
submissions is June 10. The resumes
go to Peter Spuzak.
The stock -dog training clinic was a
huge success and the group now hopes
to start up a stock -dog club to
exchange ideas, training hints,
problems, and even some pups. Call
Elaine Aveyard at 486-3348 for further
information. She won't be so busy
once Keith's wedding celebrations are
completed and things are back to
normal at their farm.
By April 1, 2000, Ontario 4-H
council will be 100 per cent respon-
sible for delivery of the 4-H program.
This new strategy will enable them to
be the master of their own destiny.
Things will never be the same again in
our 4-H ventures. Our regular leaders'
meeting is Monday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.
at Barwick Municipal Office, upstairs.
Rainy River Farm Safety has
emergency phone numbers on stickers
ready to place near your telephone.
Carol Angus went to a lot of work
making them up. They are available
from any Farm Safety Director. The
next safety meeting is June 21, 8:00
p.m. at OMAFRA.
In April, Tom received word that
the "In -Transit" issue has progressed.
It was not officially announced due
to an earlier news headline that was not
quite true or complete. At this time,
customs will inspect and seal your
trailer anytime during their working
hours. You still need to be bonded to
travel through from Ontario to
Manitoba. The in -transit includes
cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, but not
poultry or fowl such as emu, ostrich,
turkey and ducks. Regulations on
buffalo and elk are uncertain. Dr.
Wayne Cross and David Immes from
the U.S. customs can give further
information. In -transit means only
using the highway which travels from
the Ontario border to the Manitoba
border via a shorter route. Some people
are still confused. Because Tom has
been working for so many years on this
matter, we have received many
inquiries on what is happening. This bit
of info may help for now.
"Striving for success without work
is like trying to harvest where you
haven't planted."
OFA mailboxes are available by
contacting Mary Myers at 416-485-
3333, ext. 236. They are sturdy.
attractive and large. Cost is $75
including tax, plus 35 cents per letter
for your name.
Don't forget the annual Farm
Beautification Competition for 1999,
sponsored by the Rainy River Valley
Agricultural Fair and the Rainy River
Federation of Agriculture. Send entries
to Dianna Gamsby, P.O. Box 5,
Stratton, ON POW INO before deadline
date, July 23, 1999.
MNR will develop an aerial map of
your farm property if you send the
exact location and description with lot,
concession and township number. You
can also send a copy of a map with
property you are interested in clearly
marked. Cost for a 10" x 10" is $8.50
but for archival photos, the cost is $17.
Enlargements 3' x 3' for wall mounting
can also be ordered at extra cost. For
sky maps, call Toronto at (416) 314-
2000 or Peterborough at (705) 755-
2000.
OMAFRA is asking for applications
if you are a Century farm. Cost is $30
for designation and sign. CaII the office
at 482-2310.
Through its dedication to the needs
and concerns of Ontario farmers, the
OFA has become the largest voluntary
general farm organization in Canada.
There are more than 41,000 individual
members and 30 organizational
members and affiliates representing
most agricultural commodity groups in
Ontario. The mission of the OFA is to
improve the economic and social well-
being of farmers in co-operation with
county, commodity and rural farm
groups. Our local membership is 169.
Rainy River Valley Agricultural
Fair prize booklets are now available.
Call Dianna Gamsby at (807) 483-
5435. Fair dates this year are August
19, 20 21 at Emo.
"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb
— that's where the fruit is."0
– Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JULY 1999 43