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The Rural Voice, 1979-05, Page 55HURON FEDERATION NEWSLETTER OFA DIRECTOR'S MEETING, APRIL 18 Ontario's greatest resource, agriculture, was almost left out of the recent provincial budget," stated Ron White, OFA's second vice president, at the regular OFA monthly director's meeting in Toronto. In real dollar values, agriculture in Ontario will probably receive less govern- ment money than last year . Mr. White reported that specific details of new capital grants promised in the budget have not yet been brought forward by the government. OFA president Peter Hannam does not expect any proposals will be forthcoming for at least several weeks. Peter Hannam reported that all of OFA's charges regarding pricing and discounting in the food retail industry have been documented at the Royal Commission, which resulted from these (OFA's) charges. The hearings will continue in June. Peter Lindley is now OFA representative on the Federal Pesticides Monitoring Committee. A report of comparative price patterns in Canada and the U.S. is expected in about a week. At the afternoon session, the directors debated over 20 resolutions dealing with many aspects of the agricultural industry. One resolution of particular interest to Huron Couty demanded that absentee foreign owners not be allowed to assume farm credit mortgages. During the debate, Peter Hannamcharged that foreign owner- ship of farm land will have serious consquences for agriculture in Ontario. Many farmers have questioned the policy of charging $5.00 less for an automatic bank check -off membership. OFA general manager, Jack Hale presented figures showing a cost of $4.44 to mail out a membership renewal notice whereas to process an automatic renewal through the banks computer, the cost is less than $.50. GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Beryl Orris spoke to the directors about commitment and leadership. Some of the following quotes will give you some idea of why an hour and a half of listening to this ma.n seemed like about 15 minutes "Are your alive? How do you know ?" "When you get up in the morning, are you going to live the day, or just exist it. "There is resistance to "living", because if you live you must grow. If you decide just to exist you've already begun to diel". "Most people listen but rarely hear. Most people look but rarely see". "Reality is what is". "Death only happens once but you have to live every day." Dr. Oriss built his thoughts around the PG. 54 THE PUPAL VOICE/ MAY 1979 following questions. Why are you here? V*'hatdo you believe in? To what are you committed? What are you willing to die for? What are you willing to live for? Dr. Oriss closed his address with a Scandanavian toast, freely translated "May you 'live' until you die". E. Wawanosh annual hears speaker on Ghana Sixty-five members and guests, attended the East Wawanosh Federation of Agricul- ture Annual meeting on April 10th at Belgrave Insitute Hall. Dr. Bruce Hun... spoke on his recent tour of duty in Ghana. With the help of slides he described a country where 70% of the population are farmers who strive to produce enough food for themselves and their families and where the change must be from hand power to animal power. Regional director, Merle Gunby remarked on the continued interest shown by East Wawanosh Federation of Agri- culture and urged Township particapation at County level. Bill Crawford, O.F.A. fieldman said that the government in helping finance student employment by paying $1.25 per hour towards wages Garry Davidson from Huron County planning department asked the help of the township Federation of Agri- culture in arranging line meetings to explain and obtain input on the secondary plan being implemented in the township. The meeting passed a motion presented by John Gaunt opposing the formation of nature trails in the township. Pete Chandler East Wawanosh Federation of Agriculture List now updated Update the "Farm and Country" mail- ing list in one day? Impossible! But 40 Huron Federation members, representing all 16 Townships, proved otherwise when they gathered in the OMAF Board Room and spent the day checking the mailing list against their own list of current farmers in their Townships. Hopefully no one was missed, but if you hear of any farmer who does not receive "Farm and Country" (or if your own issue does not arrive) please contact your Township President. The County Executive sends a vote of thanks to all who helped. Without you, it could not have been done. •••Attention••• NEW McKEE EBRD 4 models to choose from 350-45 h.p. 460--57 h.p. 470-67 h.p. 480-72 h.p. SERVICE for all makes of Farm Equipment Location ... 1 mile North of Brucefield on Hwy 4. ERASER'S REPAIR SERVICE Phone 482-9286 Charlie Fraser Brucefield