The Rural Voice, 1989-01, Page 5244610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
GREY 519-364-3050
• to
County FeCounty deration of Agriculture NEWSLETTER The Rural Voicetyiprovided h all Grey
Faarmers by the GCFA.
This report contains the highlights of
the annual convention held November
21 to 23, Constellation Hotel, Toronto.
The executive for the year 1988-89 is
Brigid Pyke, returned by acclamation as
president, Roger George, re-elected as
first vice-president, and Bill Benson, re-
elected as second vice-president.
Other elected members of the execu-
tive are Ken Kelly, Nancy McGill, Earl
Saar, and Ed Segsworth.
In recent years, the general mood of
the conventions related to the financial
plight of agriculture and supply man-
agement in products that are not now
protected. This convention appeared to
be more concerned with waste manage-
ment, toxicology guidelines, and air and
water quality. Resolution 3 referred to
U.S. and Canadian pesticide regulations
and procedures in which the convention
supported the standardization of pesti-
cide use by both countries.
One resolution transcends all com-
modity boundaries: resolution 5, which
was put forth by Leeds County regard-
ing Canada Pension: "Whereas people
who are self-employed pay Canada
Pension Plan on their taxable income
and quite often have a very low income,
and frequently in their retirement years
these people live below the poverty line,
therefore be it resolved that the OFA
lobby the proper authorities so that those
people who are self-employed have the
privilege of buying Canada Pension
whether they have a taxable income or
not."
This resolution was carried by the
convention. We as farmers and inde-
pendent business people should encour-
age other self-employed businessmen to
join us in lobbying our respective fed-
eral members of parliament to have the
act regulating the Canada Pension Plan
changed.
1989 Grey Bruce Farmers' Week
January 5-11
Chesley Community Centre
DAIRY DAY Thursday, Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m.
SWINE DAY Friday, Jan. 6, 9:30 a.m.
SHEEP DAY Saturday, Jan. 7, 9:30 a.m.
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Monday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m.
CROPS DAY Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.
HORSE PROGRAM Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.
BEEF DAY Wednesday, Jan. 11, 9:30 a.m.
GOAT PROGRAM Wednesday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m.
Legion Hall, Dundalk
Sponsored by
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
and Grey & Bruce Farm Organizations
For further information, call:
Bruce County OMAF Grey County OMAF
1-800-265-3023 1-800-265-9152
50 THE RURAL VOICE
In the financial news, I have good
news and bad news. The bad news is that
membership fees have risen from $100
to $125 annually. The good news is that
this is still a bargain considering the
amount of work the executive tackles on
behalf of its members and the tireless
hours that your directors, township rep-
resentatives, and county representatives
contribute voluntarily on your behalf.
SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
ANNUAL MEETING
January 6, 1989
Keady Community Centre, 7 p.m.
$10 a couple
For tickets CaII Elmer Scarrow
794-2617
The second item of good news is that
the increase may be short-lived, for
agriculture minister Jack Riddell and
Premier Peterson have promised a form
of checkoff for January 1, 1990. Al-
though the OFA proposal has been re-
jected at this time, the premier has re-
quested that our executive work with the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food to
formulate an acceptable method of
checkoff. There is no question that for
the OFA to present a strong agricultural
voice, all farmers should voice their
concerns/ideas and financially support
the OFA by becoming a member.
On November 25, 1988,1 attended a
pot -luck supper at Woodford along with
approximately 45 other members of the
Sydenham Federation of Agriculture.
The evening commenced with a deli-
cious meal, followed by a short enter-
tainment program. A lively election of
officers for the coming year was held for
all positions except that of president., as
Irwin Vanwyck was acclaimed. This
well -attended annual meeting shows
clearly that support for agriculture is
strong in Sydenham Township. Perhaps
our other townships could follow their
program?
Footnote: Don't forget Grey -Bruce
Farmers Week January 5 to 11 — well
worth a visit.°
Donna Vanderham
Director, North Grey