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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen-Agriculture 2001, 2001-03-14, Page 23AerWay makes manure incorporation faster, easier, and more effective Now you can minimize runoff, and help protect ground water AerWay helps prevent runoff by incorporating liquid manure into the top 8" of the soil profile without turning cover crops over or burying residue. Liquid manure fills the holes and cracks in the soil created by the unique AerWay shattertine action to minimize the potential for ground water contamination commonly associated with narrow-band, high volume chisel-type manure application techniques. Only AerWay shattertines cut into the soil like a blade, then gently lift like a spade to incorporate manure consistently and evenly in the soil profile. AerWay even works in hay crops or pastures for immediate fertilizer benefit from manure application. Now, with farming's leading and most versatile agricultural aeration tool, you can apply manure with minimum disruption and maximum benefit. Mike & Ray Rammeloo RMW FARMS LTD. 519-523-9362 RR #4 Brussels Fertilizers • Terra-Gator - with air spreader and impregnator • Micro nutrients • Bulk delivery • Spreaders readily available Chemicals Protect all your crops against insects & weeds • 2 Spray units available for P. P. I , pre or post spraying • Wick Weeding • Drop Nozzling We will customize a fertilizer and chemical program specific to your requirements. * GPS Field Mapping * Nutrient Management Plans Available * Soil Testing SEEDS • Corn • Canola • White beans • Wheat • Soybeans • Barley & Oats • Grass seed DEALER FOR SPEARE Seeds ALPINE HOWSON & HOWSON LTD. Feed, Seed, Chemicals, Fertilizer, Grain Elevators, Custom Application Blyth 523-9624 1-800-663-3653 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2001. PAGE A-3. LT Bridges' students learn from hands-on fanning By Janice Becker Citizen staff Teens are working in the fields, feeding horses, repairing small engines and selling farm equipment and it is all part of their secondary school education. Now in its fourth semester, Bridges to Agriculture is giving sen- ior high school students in Huron and Perth Counties the opportunities to gain hands-on experience in an industry which just could be their lifetime occupation. For students who have strongly considered a- career in agriculture, participation in this four-credit course gives them the chance to find out if it is really what they want while gaining knowledge and con- tacts before entering the working world. For many of these students, fur- thering their academic learning is not their focus, said Wendy Case, co- ordinator of the program along with Ron Ritchie. "We know that in some cases, the students would have left school if Bridges was not offered." All they have thought about is work- ing in agriculture and they want to get started. The co-operative education evolved from another initiative start- ed by Ritchie and Case. They devel- oped SCOOP, special co-op, for stu- dents who have disabilities or bath- ers to employment. "This allowed them to gain experi- ence in the community," said Ritchie, "and we could develop a good base of employers who would help. and give extra time to the stu- dents." From that project, SCOOP was taken over by those at the school level, rather than the board, and the program is now available at all Huron-Perth high schools. From there, Ritchie and Case saw a need to cultivate a similar program for students with an interest in agri- culture. "We were seeing kids not coming Continued from A-2 a course pertaining to new tax laws or provisions. It is to help farmers understand why they must do certain things in certain ways for their income tax record. "They need to understand the difference between an repair and a renovation," she added. It is a general interest course and will be held on one afternoon or evening depending on the preference of those registered. A 10-session course beginning March 29, offered in co-operation with the Huron Business Development Corporation, is expect- ed to be a lot of fun, said Lobb. The 10 Steps to Community Activity is a leadership training course which draws people from all sectors: Though there have been times when most participants are from the buSiiiess community, Lobb said, the last session .consisted of all but one farmer. The course gets attendees to look at their communities; learn about all aspects of their area and learn to pro- mote, in their own way. While some people may stand and give a talk, others make poste's, she said. It is about letting them do it in a way which is comfortable. The course begins with a "Sell to class because the beans needed to come off or the pigs had to be weighed," said Case. _ "Agriculture is the number one industry in Huron and Perth," said Ritchie and upon realizing the impact on students, the concept for Bridges was developed. A package was put together for the Ministry of Education for funding through the Bridges to Employment program. The aim of Bridges to Employment is to ease the transition from school to work with work expe- rience as the main component. There are now about 25 Bridges programs across the province. Each deals with issues specific to the loca- tion, said Ritchie. Once the grant was secured, Ritchie and Case began to set up the program, enlisting potential employ- ers from all sectors of agriculture, both on the farm and off, and inter- viewing students who showed an interest in the co-op course. The first semester ran out of South Huron Secondary School in Exeter, beginning in the fall of 1999. The winter of 2000 course was held in Mitchell District High School as was the fall 2000 session. The winter course is from St. Anne's Catholic School in Clinton. Ritchie said the program has moved around to give the maximum number of students from both coun- ties access to the program. It is hoped Bridges may eventually find a permanent home at Seaforth District High School. When the students are selected, appropriate placements, preferably close to home are found. The employers come from a list compiled by Ritchie and Case, through sug- gestions from the students or calls of interest from employers themselves. Though many students come to the course with a cfefiniteldea of the sec- tor in which they would like to work, Ritchie said the program is also meant to expand their experience in agriculture. Continued on A-4 Your Sizzle" class. Everyone is expected to boast about the greatest parts of their home area. They are told to think about what they would show foreign visitors to their com- munity. The course also helps them realize the many resources already available in .the county and what issues are out there, said Lobb. A great component of the course, said Lobb, is that a one-night stay, meals and three course sessions at Benmiller Inn are included in the $200 price. The remainder of the 10 sessions are held at different locations around the county so participants can learn about those areas. As with all OATI courses, a hands- on, participatory approach is taken. They want people to get involved. Depending on the course, enrol- ment is limited to 10 to 20 people. Lobb recommends contacting her at least one week prior to the start date as that is the deadline for cancella- tion of the course with insufficient interest. There are a wide array of courses and seminars offered -through OAT1 and further information can be obtained by contacting Lobb at 482- 7167. Leave a message and she will return the call. Course teaches new tax laws