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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-03-17, Page 42'•wwl mattes' you I i UK ni*»« >>nisw- wKt) ygS'/g , j^aBsSi onrARto • FARMS >IN CRISIS ?■■?*»«»■«.» lir™ mwo* *»«• THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005. PAGE A17. ((NC) - Hospitalization due to animal-related injuries indieale that horses (46.5%) and cows (33.0%) are the most significant causes, followed by incidents involving bulls, calves, steers and others. Canadian Agricultural injury Surveillance Program. — News Canada A voice united “Ontario farmers sent a clear and unequivocal message to the Government of Ontario when more than 8,000 of them rallied at Queen’s Park March 2,” says Ron Bonnett, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). During the rally, representatives of various commodity groups, general farm organizations and individual farmers related the realities facing farmers across the province. Peter Tuinema, speaking for the grains and oilseeds sector, said without an immediate cash injection, farmers won’t be able to plant crops this year. Larry Skinner, chair of Ontario Pork, speaking for the red meat sector, said “we are being over-regulated to death,” as he spoke of regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, Source Water Protection legislation, and other government initiatives. Mark Richards, a crops producer in Kent County, speaking as chair of the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum, said “it’s appalling that we have to come here to demand the respect our government owes us.” Martin Lang, a crops producer from Glengarry County, asked “what’s wrong with our government that it can’t treat Ontario farmers as good as Quebec treats its farmers?” (Courtesy photo) Serving Southwestern Ontario since 1971 Repeat Business and Referrals is our seal of quality OFFICE NOW LOCATED AT RR #3 CLINTON (37568-B TELEPHONE ROAD) 2-9611 Unique kind A tray of Alaska Early Peas. This semi-dwarf variety has round straight pods. The vines can reach three feet. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Buyers get special info Continued from A16 in windowboxes though they won’t have quite the same vigour, said Yuzwa. Some things, however, such as the Cyclon which is a Polish heirloom hot pepper, actually does better because the grower can better control the climate. For outdoors, though, the “thing that’s great about herbs is that they spread out and come up every year.” Yuzwa also lets buyers in on any special information regarding the herbs, but recommends that anyone interested in medicinal herbs do their homework. While the majority of her seeds are from her own gardens, Yuzwa does buy about 10-15 per cent of certified organic seeds “just to flesh out what I have to offer or in the case of a crop failure.” There are no government regulations in place for businesses like Yuzwa’s at this point. “I’m not certified organic because I’m not big enough. There are lobby groups out there trying to stop small seed growers. There actually is a bill out there now, but I hope it doesn’t happen. I’m obviously not competing with the big ones.” It is enough for.now to be doing business in a manner that preserves history and works hand in hand with the earth. “All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday. Circle Dance is symbolic to me of the the earth, sun and life, of the energy of life.” Dave Franken Concrete Forming Ltd. For all your concrete needs • Residential • Commercial • Agricultural ~ Circular Tanks ~ Sandwich Walls ~ Bunker Silos R. R. #3 Bly th, Ontario N0M 1H0 Phone: (519) 523-9971 Fax: (519) 523-9604