The Rural Voice, 1978-10, Page 56F
NEWSLETTER
1
Huron County Federation
of Agriculture
Area Office: Vanastra, Box 429. Clinton
Regional Directors' Meeting Highlights'
Sept. 20, 1978
B1 Gerry Fortune
Recognition Causes Stress For O.F.A.
Toronto, - O.F.A. President. Peter Hannam. announced that
the organization is facing considerable stress because of an
increase in requests for information from governments and other
groups. County Federations are also seeking more O.F.A. advice
and help with activities.
As O.F.A. becomes better known and develops more clout.
responsibilities increase and the pressure builds. Directors were
warned to be extremely concerned with priorities. as their
decisions would affect the use of staff and stoney.
Canfarm - Is it Important?
The' cancelling of the Canfarm service is creating a dilemma
for farmers and O.F.A.
Different methods of retaining the service have been
suggested. These include a higher user's fee. development of
Conform under private enterprise. a consortium between
provinces to take it over.
So far, every company which has bid on Canfarm has no
farmer contact. Further, several of the companies are not
Canadian. This raises the possibility of Canadian farmers'
business interests being served by a foreign owned company,
with headquarters for Canfarm in another country. •
O.F.A. is considering organizing a consortium of agricultural
organizations to put in a bid. It would mean a reorganization of
Canfarm and an obvious rise in the user fee. How important is
Canfarm to you? Should 0.,F.A. be considering this move? Your
opinions are needed quickly., Contact your Regional Director.
Management Consultant to Study O.F.A.
The Executive of the Ontario Federation has engaged a
Management Consultant to provide an outside view of the
organization. The study will provide data on whether we can
make improvements, with special emphasis on the effectiveness
of the field staff. Approximately half of O.F.A's dollars go
towards staff.
Three selected areas • will be visited to try to develop
information for this study. All comments of private interviews
will be treated confidentially. Should our area be one of those
selected, we would appreciate your co-operation.
Resolutions
The following Huron County resolution was carried by the
Director's Meeting:
Whereas foreign ownership of farmland is becoming of
increasing concern to Ontario farmers in regard to such matters
as land prices, lowering interest in the social structure of the
local community , non-resident foreign investors deriving
monetary benefit which may exceed these which can be expected
by those willing to invest and live here.
Therefore be it resolved that Huron County Federation request
the O.F.A. Property Committee study the whole aspect of
foreign investment in farmland, and
Further be it resolved that this Committee endeavour to
present a brief background on this topic to the 1978 Annual
Convention in order to acquaint as many people as possible with
this subject.
PG. So fHE RURAL VOICE/OCTOBER 1978
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Huron County
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
Monthly Membership Meeting
OCTOBER 5, 1978
8:30 P.M. SHARP
HULLETT CENTRAL SCHOOL.
LONDESBORO
TOPIC—QUOTA TRANSFERS
There will be a panel comprised of
representatives from the milk. dairy, turkey
and egg industries.
Every I.S.M. should have an opinion on this
important topic. We would like to hear what
you you have to say.
Bring your neighbour!
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HURON COUNTY
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
ANNUAL MEETING
DINNER & DANCE
Fri., Oct 27, 1978
PINERIDGE CHALET
Music by "Joe Overholt"
and the Standbys" Dinner?
S6.00 per person
Social Hour 6-7
Dance 10 Tickets available from any
Regional Director
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The following Huron County resolution as referred to the
O.F.A. Resource Development Committee:
Whereas heavy reliance on direct and indirect fossil fuel
inputs (petroleum. fertilizers. pesticides. machinery) have led to
a price squeeze on the farmer between the cost of farm inputs
and the prices of farm commodities. and
Whereas the future price of fossil fuel related farm inputs is
likely to increase and the supply of these materials is not
assured.
Therefore be it resolved that O.F.A. Resource Development
Committee examine ways of and the need for reducing farm
dependence on fossil fuel inputs by such methods as energy
conservation. solar heating and drying, the use of wood for fuel,
wind power, fertilizers from plant and animal wastes, methane
and the utilization of fuels for both heat and electrical production
at the farm level, and
Further that O.F.A. encourage governments, universities.
schools and other organizations to do research and accelerate
rese;'rcli in those areas which the committee feels show most
pronli'u and distribute information on these areas to the farm
community..