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The Rural Voice, 1980-01, Page 22Lamb producers hear from CAN FARM Speakers from CANFARM and the livestock branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food highlighted the annual meeting of the Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association held at Norwell District High School in Palmerston on Wednesday, November 21. Secretary -Treasurer Mike Marritt said Jim Shaw, a marketing manager from CANFARM, spoke on the new look for CANFARM and on what services would be available to farmers, especially sheep farmers. He also spoke on county terminal units and suggested that possibly 10 or 15 years down the road, even individual farmers might have direct access to computers. The new executive of the Association will be: President - Robin Dunbar of Ethel; Vice -President - Reg Wilson of Dundalk and Secretary -Treasurer - Mike Marritt of Gorrie. On farm energy solutions sought BY FRAN McQUAIL The First Energy Symposium, organized by the Rural Development Outreach Pro- ject and sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, was held Friday, Nov. 16, 1979, at the Universtiy of Guelph. The purpose of the day was to share and evaluate the findings of the Resource Efficient Technology Project in rural Halton Region with academics, ministry staff, and municipal representatives. The objective of the project was to demonstrate the value of the application of appropriate technologies in rural development by sharing the results of conceptual and applied studies in rural Halton in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, and com- munity development. An underlying con- cern was the promotion of energy conser- vation techniques and the exploration of potential alternative energy sources. There were four presentations,two followed by a panel who commented on the presentation from their perspectives. The first presentation was by architect Charles Simon on "Alternative Develop- ment Concepts for the Rural/Urban Fringe." Low density sprawl development of bedroom communities is increasingly consuming valuable farmland near urban areas. They also accelerate the demand for energy, primarily for transportation. Mr. Simon presented some exciting new ideas about cluster housing designs which were land and energy conserving, preserved the rural country atmosphere, and increased land use flexibility. Then followed progress reports on the Energy Task Group in Halton; a concerned citizen's group formed to stimulate energy awareness and conservation and use of renewable energy forms, and the Halton Region Energy Demand Model. This Demand Model simulated the energy supply and use patterns of the present and possible future scenarios. The desirability of energy self-sufficiency wherever possible was emphasized. The fourth presentation was by Richard Lay, agricultural engineer on "Innovative Methods of Energy Use in Agriculture: Present Situation and Outlook for the Region of Halton." The objectives of this study ‘vcrc to determine what energy conservation practices and alternative en- ergy technologies could be implemented on farms in Halton. This would enhance viability and local control of individual farm operations. Mr. Lay had a number of practical ideas to save energy on the farm by improving management practices in field cropping and animal management. With more time and investment; farms could produce much more of their own energy needs with systems designed to fit their operations' own potential. More cooperation and coordination is needed between innovative farmers, government ministries and university facilities to assist in development of these systems and to make the technologies more widely avail- able. Simon Hallahan accepts the Huron County Federation of Agriculture Award from Gerry and Doug Fortune for his contribution to the agricultural community. Fine $2000 in crop insurance fraud Kenneth Wright, 33, of R.R.2, Seaforth, was fined $2,000 in county court recently after being convicted of attempting to defraud the Ontario Crop Insurance Commission of $4,162.81 in 1978. In handing down the sentence, Judge Francis Carter said he was concerned with the protection of public funds. The insurance commission is operated by the provincial government, and if a deficit occurs after paying claims, the funds come PG. 20 THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1980 from the public purse. Farmers pay premiums when buying the coverage, and Judge Carter said he feared such fraudulent actions could lead to higher premiums for all farmers. According to officials of the Ontario Crop Insurance Commission, there are other cases pending and additional farmers may be charged under the act. Mr. Wright was the first person convicted of attempting to defraud the Ontario Crop Insurance Commission.