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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-10-26, Page 4Page 4 October 26, 2005 • The Huron Expositor Farmers need help to keep feeding cities The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and its commodity partners are jointly participating in an initiative as part of the Farmers Feed Cities campaign. "We're working to create a greater awareness among elected officials of the farm income situation that's threatening the future of rural Ontario," says OFA Vice -President Geri Kamenz, in a press release. Continuing foreign subsidies on grains and oilseeds commodities, and depressed returns 'for other products from Ontario farms are placing the future of Ontario's second largest industry in jeop- ardy, Kamenz says. "Our provincial .and federal governments responded to requests for safety net funding earlier this year, but that only covered the 2004 crop year," says Paul Mistele, OFA Vice -President. "With no improvement in economic conditions for our farm- ers this year, their costs continue to overwhelm their returns, and there's no money to pay the bills for producing the 2005 crops." Commodity organizations have developed new risk management and production insurance pro- grams and farmers need their governments to work with farmers to implement these programs immedi- ately. With the acceptance of these programs, farm- ers are confident future shortfalls in income can be met for 2006. Organizers of the Farmers Feed Cities initiative are asking all farmers in the province to speak to their elected government officials, explaining their financial crisis and the need for the new risk man- agement and production insurance programs. There is also a need for an interim payment to farmers in some sectors with specific needs. Judging from the recent annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, it's united actions such as this that will help farmers to be heard. Opinion Unicef is an easy way to help those affected by disaster I cannot think of a time when so many places throughout the world have been in need of help from international organizations such as the Red Cross and the United Way. It wasn't long after the United States was beginning to recover from two devastat- ing hurricanes, that a major earthquake Pakistan, leaving over 50,000 dead. Then, this past weekend hurricane Wilma pounded Mexico, before hitting southwest Florida early Monday. These tragic natural disasters coincide with Unicef's annual trick -or -treat campaign. The cam- paign has been raising money for countries in need for the past 50 years. This year, the campaign is aimed at schools in Africa, where, teamed up with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, they hope to repair and build more schools, provide better learning tools such as black- boards, and train more teachers. There wasn't one year I dressed up, that I didn't have an orange cardboard Unicef box around my neck on Halloween night. In fact to us kids, Halloween seemed to directly coincide with Unicef. There wasn't one without the by Jeff Heuchert struck other. It's wonderful to know Seaforth Public and St. James Schools are running the cam- paign again this year. At a time when the Western hemisphere has need- ed help, the world has answered. We must not forget though, people in Africa need help continuously. Donating to the trick -or -treat campaign is not just for students. Through the Unicef website at www.unicef.ca, anyone can make a donation, towards a list of differ- ent causes. You can choose for your money to be used towards the trick -or -treat campaign, the Pakistan earthquake relief efforts, or even to donate your money to wherever it is needed the most. Unicef helps countries that need assistance every day, each year, not just because they were hit by a natural disaster. Hopefully seeing the aftermath of disasters around the world has inspired you to make a small donation and help. Unicef's trick -or -treat program is a great way to help the less privileged and boost their quality of life, even the smallest bit. Expositor Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Canada SUN OUEBECOR MEDIA MOM 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts." $1)8SCBLEIION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year. in advance. plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 33.85 a year. rn advance, plus G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 35.85 a year in advance. plus $83.20 postage. G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. 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NOK 1 WO Member & tM Conry' Newspapers sNewspaper bt/on soefafkn Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Dianne McGrath Front office Jeff Heuchert Reporter Adrienne Peckitt Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seatorth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858. Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69' Seaforth, Ontario, NOK Iwo