The Rural Voice, 1979-08, Page 50F
1
NEWSLETTER 1
Huron County Federation
of Agriculture
Area Office: Vanastra, Box 429, Clinton
OFA Directors' Meeting
Toronto, July 18
by Merle Gunby
Farmers in Quebec may be eligible for a
30 per cent grant of up to $12,000 toward
the purchase of a new combine or up to
$40,000 toward the construction of a
feedlot.
"These are just two examples of what we
are competing with," said Peter Hannam
as he read from a recent news story about
the new grants available, to Quebec
farmers, opening the regular monthly OFA
directors meeting in Toronto July 18.
The lively, interesting meeting that
followed with reports, discussion and
debate demonstrated once again that the
OFA is a vital force representing the
farmers of Ontario in various government
and business interests.
In other update items, Peter rgported
that the recent GATT talks have achieved
some gains for the agricultural industry.
However, the OFA is disappointed that
equality of tariffs has not been reached for
all products.
Ontario will be hosting the semi-annual
Canadian Federation of Agriculture con-
vention from July 23 to July 26 at Oakville.
Grant Wallace, field services director
reported that the OFA membership in
October 1978 was 23,305, while July 1,
1979, it had declined to 22,755. The OFA
and local federations will be actively
seeking members in the weeks ahead.
Farmers are urged to contact a local official
and sign up as an Individual Service
Member.
This is your organization—help keep it
strong.
Ken Gad, General Manager of the
Canadian Federation of Independent Retail
Grocers, spoke to the OFA directors at 11
a.m. During his hour long address, Mr.
Gad outlined some of the difficulties the
independent grocers have in competing
with the huge food chains. He explained
that the large chains dominate the grocery
business in Ontario and pointed out that
this virtual control by the chains poses a
real threat that competitive bidding for
farm produce will cease. Mr. Gad likened
the chains' control to one farmer owning .33
PG. 48 THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1979
per cent of the farmland in Ontario.
He defined the "free enterprise" philo-
sophy of the Targe food chains with this
quote: "It's every man for himself," said
the elephants as they danced among the
chickens.
Mr. Gad, who spent more than 40 years
with the Quaker Oats Company, stressed
the value of promotion. He pointed out that
the Foodland Ontario program was an
excellent one, but it is only the beginning.
He said that Ontario farmers would be wise
to establish well-known brand names for
their produce, selling only the best under
these names and giving a quality guaran-
tee right to the consumer.
For several years the OFA has been
lobbying for farm machinery legislation to
ensure such things as parts availability and
adequate guarantees for farm equipment.
However, the government and the
machinery companies have agreed to a
voluntary committee instead.
While the OFA does not like this
proposal, as it was totally drawn up by the
farm machinery companies, Bill Benson
has been appointed as the OFA represent-
ative to this committee.
Jack Hale, OFA General Manager, said
that a brochure explaining the new life
insurance plan for federation members will
be mailed to ISM members during the
latter part of August. This plan will be
available to all ISM members without a
medical questionnaire for six weeks.
This farm Family Group Life insurance
package was accepted by the Board of
Directors at the last meeting in June. It
provides a basic life insurance package for
the ISM and his family at $1 per week. The
pay -out varies according to the member's
age.
Publicity tapes were made available to
directors to take to their local radio
stations. It is hoped that radio stations will
use these tapes to increase the public's
awareness of the farmer's point of view.
During the afternoon, the directors
dealt with nine resolutions and four
committee reports as well as a report from
the Foodland Steering Committee explain-
ing their brief to the Porter Commission on
Hydro Planning. A motion was passed
"commending the members of the Food -
land Steering Committee for their work on
behalf of all Ontario Farmers."
The Foreign Ownership Committee re-
port requesting that all foreign-owned
agricultural properties be registered with
the Dept. of Agriculture and Food was
tabled until next month so that it could be
worded in the correct manner for present-
ation to the government.
Robert Humphrey of Elgin County
reported that the provisional corn market-
ing board has been set up to arrange for a
producer vote on a corn marketing plan.
Peter Hannam pointed out that this
provisional board was not associated with
the OFA.
The OFA annual convention is to be
held on Nov. 26 through to Nov. 29 at the
downtown Holiday Inn in Toronto, reported
Peter Hannam.
The theme of the convention is to be
"Challenges in the '80's."
A different format is being proposed for
this year's convention. Several sub -themes
are to be discussed. Some suggested topics
are: Energy in the '80's, The Politics of
Agriculture, Capitalization for the '80's,
and The Quality of Life. Other suggestions
are welcomed.
Huron County
Federation
of Agriculture
4111
cabs
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6
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There will
be no
August meeting