The Rural Voice, 2019-02, Page 65446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Bruce County by the BCFANEWSLETTER
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: brucefederation.ca
Any opinion expressed is that of
individual County Directors or
Representatives and may not
necessarily reflect the views of the
Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture or Ontario Federation of
Agriculture.
The Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture participated in the
roundtable discussion on red-tape
with Ontario Minister of Agriculture
Ernie Hardeman and Bill Walker,
MPP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and
began 2019 renewing and
strengthening our relationship with
Bruce County Council and embark on
an ambitious agenda for 2019.
The “open for business” campaign
has started and as part of the effort,
our MPP Bill Walker hosted Minister
Hardeman in a roundtable discussion
on eliminating red tape in agriculture.
Altogether the table included 18 men
and women who are involved in the
great diversity of agricultural
institutions active in Grey and Bruce
Counties in a significant way. Mr.
Hardeman was clear that cutting red
tape didn’t mean making food less
safe or the environment less clean.
He made the effort to engage
everyone at the table in a significant
way and listened and commented
thoughtfully on the input.
The discussion reflected the
diversity of interests at the table and
included issues related to red tape and
beyond. Livestock compensation,
licensing and permitting, and access
to safe and crop protection were
discussed as well as challenges
related to youth development and
retention in our rural areas.
We started the year on a good note
as we sought to strengthen and renew
our relationship with Bruce County
with a “boots on the ground”
presentation on January 3.
A delegation of BCFA directors
visited the council chambers early in
the morning and made a presentation
describing the place and importance
of agriculture in Bruce County and
the role the local federation plays in
representing farmers and
strengthening our local economy and
communities. We were heartened by
the positive response and view the
support of Bruce County for our
federation as a sacred trust.
The federation is moving forward
with another ambitious agenda for the
coming year. Watch our page in
future months for details on our
Agriculture Career Fair, Tommy
Cooper Agriculture Celebration
evening, etc.◊
BCFA participates in roundtable discussions with Minister of Ag
62 The Rural Voice
NEW YEAR / NEW IDEAS
Please come join us!
DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS 2019
February 25 – 8:00 p.m.
March 25 – 8:00 p.m.
April 23 – 8:00 p.m.
May 27 – 8:00 p.m.
June 24 – 8:00 p.m.
August 26 – 8:00 p.m.
September 23 – 8:00 p.m.
November 11 – 8:00 p.m.
All meetings are held at the County of Bruce Building, Walkerton
Ontario Minister of Agriculture Ernie Hardeman
Bruce County Federation of Agriculture
BCFA President John Rodgers makes presentation to Bruce
County Council.