The Rural Voice, 1980-01, Page 13discussion was over you were left with the
nagging suspicion that there was a lot more
we could do if we knew how and if we were
informed honestly by the government of
what was really going on, and more
bluntly, into, the air and water.
The •age group of these farmers seems to
be leaning towards more and more
youthful farmers. It is encouraging to see
that our future cares. Most of the them are
up to their armpits in debt but find the time
to join other concerned farmers to find some
solution, no matter how trivial it seems at
the time, to make it easier in future for
other farmers. Let's face it, we're a
minority group, less than 4 percent of
Canada's population and have to make our
voices loud and clear.
If you ask any of the delegates whether it
was worthwhile you get affirmative re-
sponses. because we had the opportunity
to inform government of our ideas and had
the opportunity to meet with farmers
across Ontario who might not have had the
same problems, but those unique to their
area. It makes you feel Tess like the whole
world is picking on you.
"One of the
better conventions
/ have attended"
BY SHEILA GUNBY
The OFA Convention is one of the better
conventions I've attended, "says Huron
County farmer, Paul Klopp, Zurich ,one of
the youngest delegates at the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture convention in
Toronto in November.
"The convention seemed to be fairly
organized", he said. "The issues were
relevant, the resolutions were good -- the
ideas of breaking the resolutions up and
having elections was a good thing.
Everyone would talk and argue and still say
good -night."
"The energy crises seemed to be an
important issue, but not as important as
the high interest rates -- that's extra hard
on the young farmer."
Paul has always lived on the farm; he
spent two years at Centralia and worked for
13 month with the U.C.O. in Thamesville.
He said this helped him see how other
farmers operated and opened his mind.
Paul is bus) on: 'he home farm with some
registered Aberdeen Angus that are "sort
of like a hobby" to him; he has also been
busy in 4-H as a club leader.
He has lc s of ideas that he brought home
from the c ivention.
"Personal y, the two and a half days
went fast," he said. "But 1 really enjoyed
(Top) Ralph Barrie, new President of OFA conversing with retiring president,
Peter Hannam. (Center) Television crew photographs Paul Klopp, Zurich as he
talks to Cliff Robb on the energy crisis. (Bottom) Huron county delegates
listening to debates on resolutions at the OFA Convention In Toronto.
(Photos by Sheila Gunby)
THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 11$80 PO. 11