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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-06-21, Page 13Wednesday, June 21, 2006 Exeter Times -Advocate 13 ABCA hosts foreign researchers By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) hosted foreign visitors last week, with researchers from Russia and the Ukraine who are studying agricultural extension programs in Ontario. Professor Glen Filson of the University of Guelph led the group of researchers for their trip in Ontario from June 15- 21. Visiting the ABCA were Sergey Frolov, Olena Kalna, TetyanaKalna-Dubinyuk, Warsame Warsame and Valery Koshelev. The group is studying the rural extension program in Ontario to see how it can be applied to agriculture in Russia and the Ukraine. The ABCA's Kate Monk said the delegation was most inter- ested in the concept of working co-operatively with farmers and rural landowners for water quality improvement projects. "In Russia and Ukraine, they have used a top-down approach which directs efforts on the landscape. "They were interested in what motivates landowners to do projects, financial incentive programs, technical assistance provided by conservation authorities, the role of regula- tions in encouraging people to protect water quality." said Monk. Filson said the extension pro- gram, which has been in use since the 1900s in Ontario pro- vides information to farmers on safe farming methods. But in the last few years, said Filson, "we're dismantling it," and farmers are pulling infor- mation from other sources such as private companies. "We know from Walkerton that we do need to make sure farmers are doing the right thing," said Filson, although he stressed farmers were not to blame for what happened. Filson added the ABCA makes sure farmers use the best man- agement practices. In the former Soviet Union, said Filson, agriculture was done by large state farms that didn't have extension pro- grams. Although agricultural doing research into extension programs they couldn't get information out to farmers. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 the govern- ment started look- ing at putting such programs in place. Compared to places like Bavaria in Germany, said Filson, which has 1,600 extension workers, the Russians and Ukrainians are just getting started. One of the prob- lems with agricul- tural in the two countries according to Filson is that the workers, who were previously employed on the large farms, don't know how to run a farm. He said agriculture in the Ukraine is 60 per cent of what it was under communism. Kate Monk from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (third from left), hosted a group of visiting researchers from Russia and the Ukraine last week. From left are Sergey Frolov, Olena Kalna, University of Guelph Professor Glen Filson,Tetyana Kalna-Dubinyuk,Valery Koshelev and Warsame Warsame.The group is studying agricultural extension methods in Ontario. (photo/Pat Bolen) Although the Ukraine has the best farming land in the world, said Filson, much of it is lying barren and Ukrainians are get- ting by on $2 a day. But the country has bottomed out and is coming back up, he added. Graduation and summer parties planned in Zurich By Carmel Sweeney ZURICH CORRESPONDENT ZURICH -Zurich had a very busy, exciting and fun weekend celebrating it's 150th Birthday Homecoming. The weather was great for all the out- door events. The German Supper was a sell out with 300 people attending. On Saturday the parade had three marching bands and lots of floats making it a great success. Nine teams competed in the bed race and brought lots of laughs with their fancy costumes. "As always, Don Beauchamp did a wonderful job as Master of Ceremonies of the parade. The Donkey Baseball drew a big crowd. Zurich Firemen competed against Dashwood Firemen with Dashwood winning 3 to 1. Announcing the game was fireman Bob Merner who put a lot of humour into the game. There was a lovely display of various items at the Township Hall. A Silent Auction on some quilts was also held over the two days. Saturday evening many people enjoyed dancing to the music of local enter- tainment one being Joe Overholt of London. People filled the Zurich Complex Sunday morning for the Community Worship Service with our four churches taking part in the service. A Cairn was built and placed outside at the Complex. Money raised from the freewill offering will be divided between Blessings Store and the Rest - Well Campaign for the Blue Water Rest Home in Zurich. Brent O'Brien of Australia is home visiting for a couple of weeks with his mother, family and friends. A surprise 50th Birthday Party was held for Janet Brown recently at the Shall -B -Inn with family mem- bers attending. Her birthday was on June 21. A Mass and Celebration was held for Father Paul Mooney on Sun., June 18 at St. Joseph's Church in Clinton with several priests attending on the occa- sion of his 50th Anniversary in the priesthood. His brother Father Tom Mooney will celebrate his 50th Anniversary on June 25 in St. Mary's, Ontario. Several members of the Hay Communications Telephone System attended a convention in the Muskoka's last week. Reta Dodge of Kitchener spent the past three weeks visiting with her sister, Audrey Smith along with her two dogs. "Friends of the Library" would like to invite you to join them on Tues., June 27 at 8 p.m. in the Library. Bring along a friend, as they are working on getting a new accessible Library facility and could use your help. For more information call 519-236-4965. Welcome to our community Father Peter Poel to St. Boniface and Clustered Parishes. Congratulations to the Zurich medal winners at the recent Senior Games in several events. Joe Regier won a gold medal, Thea Vandenboom and Doris Hamilton won a silver medal all competing in Shuffleboard. Tara Bedard was home from Budapest the past two weeks visiting her parents, Pat and Jane Bedard and family members. The Klopp Family Reunion was held on Sun., June 18 at the home of Herb and Donna Klopp, RR 3, Zurich. Ed and Dorothy Smith have returned from a month's vacation, while travelling several places they called on their niece in the West Coast, a nephew in Alberta and an Uncle in Calgary. Recently Cliff and Delores Gingerich, along with her brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Yvonne Gingerich of Elmira, enjoyed a week vacation in beautiful, historic, Quebec City and Ottawa. ZURICH NEWS MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER BAYFIELD - HAY • HENSALL - STANLEY - ZURICH 2001 NOTICE OF OPEN HOUSE with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation at The Bayfield Complex Tues., July 4, 2006 Noon - 8 pm ,-i MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER BAYFIELD - HAY - IffNSALL- SIANLEY. ZURICH 2001 NOTICE OF INTENT TO NAME STREETS WARD OF HAY WEST The council of the Municipality of Bluewater intends to pass a by-law at the June 26, 2006 regular council meeting to name the following streets. 1) Old Driftwood Lane, Leisure Way, Starlet Lane and Rabbit Run all within Driftwood Trailer Park. 2) Hessenland Lane (Ward of Hay West) Highlights were Chateau Frontenac, Museum of Civilization, and thanks to Paul Steckle and his staff, Greg and Sani for a wonderful tour of the Parliament Buildings. Reserved free Tickets for the Homecoming Hymn Time on June 25 are to be picked up at The Blessings Store or call 519-236-4376. The Hymn Time is featuring Jesse Dickson. The next 150th Committee meeting will be held on Tues., June 27, 7 p.m. to prepare for the "Doors Open Huron" to be held on July 8 and 9 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church and Emmanuel United Church. There is open bowling Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on June 22 and June 29. The bowling alley will be closed for the month of July, opening again in August. The cost of a game is $3 and both men and women are welcome. Students will be out of school for the summer on Thurs., June 29. The grade eight graduation at St. Boniface is Mon., June 26 with Mass at 5 p.m. Grade eight pupils of the Zurich Public School will have their graduation Tues., June 27 at 6:45 p.m. St. Boniface principal Mr. Dave Cassonie has been transferred to St. Mary's School in Listowel. While Zurich Public School principal, Betty Beer has been transferred to Clinton Public School. They will both be missed. TWILIGHT BLACK GRANITE Tablet 30"x6"x24" Polished front & back with rock edges. Lettering for 2 people, choice of design, grey polished top base as shown, delivery & taxes included. Cemetery fees & foundation extra. Just $1599 tax included On Sale Until June 30, 2006 t938 JESSICA V.1993 BELOVED WIFE. OF 1938 LESTER B. = T'he Stone Centre • 118 MAIN ST., DASHWOOD • JIM HOFFMAN 237-3532