The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-01, Page 17Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 - Page Al 7
Agricultural survey shows more public education needed
Huron Expositor
Results of a national survey released last
week show that more education for the public
about primary agriculture and the econom-
ics of food production is needed, says Wayne
Black, president of the Huron Federation of
Agriculture.
The survey, commissioned by the Ontario
Farm Animal Council (OFAC), found that
more than 95 per cent of Canadians, both m-
ral and urban, felt they knew little or nothing
about farming.
'That could clearly show how frustrated
farmers are with the policies that are set by
government at all levels — local council, pro-
vincial and federal," Black says. "If 95 per
cent do not know farming, then how could
they truly understand what a farmer's needs
are for competing with global imports and
global markets?"
Black says there are numerous pieces of.
legislation recently that give the impression
that "government is listening to activists in -
Students focus
on agriculture
Dan Schwab
Huron Expositor
More than 600 students from 19 schools
across Huron and Perth counties are scheduled
to come together for two days of educational
exhibits and hands-on activities during the .an-
nual Huron -Perth Agriculture and Water Festi-
val in Seaforth April 7-8.
Twenty-seven Grade 4 classes will divide
their busy day in half, learning about agricul-
ture for one part of the day and water for the
remainder.
The events will be held at the Seaforth and
District Community Centres and the Seaforth
Agricultural Society's Agri-plex.
"It's a great opportunity for them to learn a
whole bunch about the landscape around them,"
says Steve Bowers, stewardship co-ordinator
with the Huron Stewardship Council, who is
helping to organize the event.
Bowers says the two-day event will be edu-
cation for more than just students who are unfa-
miliarwith agriculture and farming operations.
"Farming is fairly specialized so if a child
grows up on a dairy farm, this gives them a
chance to see a poultry operation. So, it's edu-
cational even for farm kids," Bowers says..
In the water exhibits, students learned about
water conservation and were also taught about
some of the toxins and pollutants that affect wa-
ter during its course starting from the clouds,
hitting the ground and eventually ending up in
rivers and lakes.
The festival evolved from the Slice of Huron
event and has been bringing together Grade 4
students throughout Huron and Perth Counties
since 1992.
Slice of Huron was intended to show students
where the ingredients of a pizza, from cheese to
sauce to meat, can from.
About four years ago, the event married the
components ofagrrculture'and water to become
the event it is 4oday.
Bowers says a long list of sponsors contribute
move than $12,000 to help run the event, which
covers busing costs, the rental of both facilities
and other components of the event
stead of dealing with sound science."
"When people realize how much of their
grocery bill makes it back to the farmer, most
are outraged," he says.
Black says the survey's results reconfirms
that there is getting go be a small difference
between urban and rural results of any farm
survey.
"This goes to show that in Ontario there are
more non-farm rural residents," he says.
He says this is evident in there being more
advertising directed at neral estate properties,
for small organic gardens, tractors for lawns
and gardens and eco -friendly properties.
"Some of this works well with what farm- under the same set of inspections and proce-
ers use and need and others do not work well," dunes. We are proud to be a part of the chain
Black says. of events that provides a safe, quality product
Almost 2,000 Canadians, including more that every person needs."
than 400 Ontarians, were surveyed between Black says everyone in the supply chain
Feb. 20-26 for the study. plays a part in follwing protocols in order to
It also found that 92 per cent said they be- get the quality product to the consumer, from
lieve local meat is safe, 95 per cent felt the the collection facility to the processor, retail
same about milk and 92 per cent said they felt outlet and at all parts of the transportation and
safe about buying local eggs. storage processes.
"'The numbers speak volumes about pur- The study also found that 52 per cent of
chasing food produced under the scrutiny of Canadians have a positive impression of Ca -
our rules and regulations," Black says. "Im- nadian agriculture, up from the 2006 results
ported food, for the most part, is not produced of 42 per cent.
Dig up new busing
by placin an ad in our upcoming special section,
Home G
• h
Every"green thumb" will be flipping through this sectio
r.
�
advice on their spring gardening plans. SO when you pt
to informative features on lawn care and maintenance, bac
and design eici gift ideas for gardeners, your offers will be
root in readers' a mins. Plus! We'II inform them on how they
use the Home Renovation "bac Credit to their advantage
Cally our advertising representative now to reach over 12,500
holds throughout the Goderich, Clinton, Luckncwv and Sea f
onf� °.. til Y55Gf . /Gs.::. f✓//
r more detail!
i *
•