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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-04-05, Page 3434 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, April 5, 2006 Wind farms a highlight of Huron Soil and Crop Curairi anada-Ontario P nvironmental Farm Plan en a'la Cal • protect sol and water resnurces • enhance production returns • show due diligence minimize 416.4 Keith Black, president of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association presented his provincial update March 28 at the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association Spring Producer Meeting in Seaforth. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SEAFORTH — `Alternative Energy Crops and Spring Cereals' was the theme for this year's Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Associations Spring Producers meeting. The annual meeting March 28 at the Agri-Plex in Seaforth brought out several speakers including general manager Doug Fyfe and co-op development officer Lloyd Crawford of Countryside Energy co-op of Milverton. Countryside Energy, established in August, focuses largely on wind farms and energy conservation. Countryside Energy also works on renewable energy production, via wind (10MW wind farms), biomass (bio -diesel, anaerobic digestor methane), photovoltaic cell (solar cell) and education in energy conservation. Two meteorological test towers, one near Milverton and another near Goderich are already set up. Using the test data being collected, they are assessing the viability of wind farms in these areas. In Bruce County they are partnering with Windshare Co-operative, developing the first com- munity -owned wind farm in Ontario. Windshare has development experience. They put up the wind turbine at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Both companies combined will promote the devel- opment and commissioning of both Ontario's and Canada's first community -owned wind farm. Development is at the earliest of stages at the moment. Construction of this particular site may not begin until fall of 2007, but it could also be spring of 2008. This depends on wind turbine and tower order ful- fillment. Geotechnical assessment will occur several months before construction starts. Local work required will likely include haulage of tower sections and the wind turbine by road on large transporters, geotechnical assessments of the wind farm site for turbine/tower foundations, foun- dation preparation, access road preparation and concrete pad for substation. Fyfe and Crawford detailed the cost of a wind tur- bine. In 2005 a large wind turbine cost about $2,000 to $2,500 per kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity. Crawford spoke in detail of horror stories he had encountered of people not doing their research when looking into wind farms and ending up in a mess. "Landowners, be careful what you get into, " says Crawford. "Make sure you can trust the people you are deal- ing with. "Most reputable people trying to develop will help with legal costs," added Crawford. Countryside Energy is pleased with Ontario gov- ernments Standard Offer Contract (SOC) recent announcement. This announcement, according to Countryside Energy is a historic precedent for North America which makes community -owned renewable energy initiatives viable. SOC provides a guaranteed price over 20 years and the right to connect to the power grid, provid- ing technical and safety requirements are met. Countryside Energy will now be able to complete a business plan and submit its co-op share offering for review and approval by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. This will help the development of their Bervie wind farm. At the end of their presentation Fyfe went back to their Countryside Energy motto, "Let's help each other succeed," he said. Keith Black, president of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association gave a provincial update. Black, in his brief presentation explained it is get- ting harder to receive money for scientific projects. He also spoke of Bio -diesel really taking its place in agriculture. Black explained the need for more people to take hold and step up for new executive positions within the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association. He also mentioned three year contract agreements with both Canada's Farm Show and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Black went on to say Bill 46, a clean water act is "a pretty scary piece of legislation." He also says, "We are not a lobby group. I don't believe we should be." Black encouraged the farmers to support lobby groups. Spelling Bee champs The South Huron Lakeshore Junior Optimist Club hosted the annual Zone 8 Spelling Bee competition at Exeter Public School last week.The first place winners will move on to the Southwestern Ontario competition in Ridgetown April 8.Above from left are Grade 5 win- ners Amy Dinney (1 st, Stephen Central), Kayley MacGregor (2nd, Exeter Public), Sean Pentecost (3rd, Parkhill-WestWilliams) and Grade 6 first place winner Cole Vincent (Stephen).Absent from Grade 6 are Casey Spiers (2nd, Mount Carmel) and Perry Gagne (3rd, Exeter). Below from left are Grade 7 winners Jordan Kadlecik (1 st, Mount Carmel), Braden Pryce (2nd, Stephen) and Alex Bloomfield (3rd, Oxbow Public). (photos/Scott Nixon) Libraries receive funding CLINTON — The province announced new funding for Huron and Bruce County libraries last week. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell made the announcement Friday. The one-time funding is part the province's 2006 budget. The Huron County library system will receive $147,000, while the Bruce County system will receive $ 199,500. This is a strategic invest- ment for rural, remote, francopho- ne and First Nations public libraries. It is to build their collections and services in support of family litera- cy. One to One Health & Fitness Hwy 4 between Lucan & Exeter Phone 227-1820 for all inquires April 2006 What's New Here we go, warm weather is finally here, bring it on! Just a quick reminder to everyone that the gym will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday - there will be a Saturday morning Circuit/Boot Camp class. We are pleased to have acquired a Registered Massage Therapist, Pawel (Paul) Gromala. Pawel comes to us from London and comes to us highly recommended. Hours are Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and every other Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The busier we make him the more hours he'll give us. Please call for appointments 777-0070 or through Val & Nancy at the gym 227-1820. Please make Pawel feel welcome. Bliss Esthetics has some exciting new treatments available. Lynn now has sculp- tured gel nails and Compu-lift facial treatments. For more information please call Lynn at 854-0730. Lisa, (Hair with Lisa) has been a busy girl. If all of you young girls out there need their updo's for grad you better call right away, time slots are almost full. Call Lisa at 227-4693, grad will be here before you know it, don't be left frantic the week before. Now that the warm weather is fast approaching we'll all be tempted to bring out the summer clothing to see if we can still squeeze into last years shorts and bathing suits. Now is the time to try out our Saturday morning Boot Camp Class Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking. Val, Nancy, Maureen, Bobbi or Tania will take you through this fast paced drilled class that keeps the heart pumping, lots of laughter, lots of hard work and we'll promise to get you out in 1 hour. If this is not for you, you may want to try out Pilates Mat Classes that will re-energize those stiff muscles and keep your back and abdominal muscles strong. Good for every- one from beginner to advance and easy enough for anyone to try. This is great for all those summer athletes out there. Denise is a wonderful instructor that is able to have beginners and advanced clients in one class and give everyone a complete workout. Helen James, through her Reiki and Ionic Footbath treatments will get rid of any toxins that may have built up in your system over the winter. Helen is only with us one day a month. This month is April 12th and time slots are filling. Please call 227-1820 and we'll book your appointment. What better way to start a new season, refreshed and cleansed. Hip Hop dance classes are going strong and we're happy to announce a boys class at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays, not that they can't join in with the girls but we want to offer them their "own space". Call us at the above number and we'll be happy to answer all questions. SPRING Have a great spring season.