The Rural Voice, 1983-01, Page 62FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
BOX 429 CLINTON, ONTARIO NOM 1L0
Office Hours
Mon. 8 Fri.
9.4
TELEPHONE 1519) 482-9642
NE WSLE TTER
DECEMBER 2, 1982...MEMBERS MEETING
Joint HURON -PERTH MEETING...
St. JAMES SEPARATE SCHOOL, Seaforth
Attendance: 60
The meeting was preceded by a social half-hour which proved
very successful.
Meeting chaired by President Tony McQuail, Huron and Ron
Christie, President of Perth.
Convention reports were given by Doug Garniss, Dave Smith,
John Nesbit and Tony McQuail ... elections from OFA Convention
were: President; Ralph Barrie, 1st. Vice; Ron White, 2nd. Vice;
Mary Wicks, 4 Executive Directors: Brigid Pyke, Frontenac coun-
ty, Merle Gunby, Huron county. Keith Buchner, Oxford county,
and Harry Pellisaro, Niagara county.
Guest speaker Harry Zwerver, OFA was introduced by Tony Mc -
Quail. Harry was born in the Netherlands and has formerly worked
as a social worker, a green -house worker, an administrator with
the Children's Aid and consulting work with Community Colleges.
He spoke on various aspects of communication between the OFA
and county federations, the finances, problems OFA property and
legal departments deal with. OFA has 25,500 ISM's at present
with 5000 enrolled in the Drug & Health plan. Matters the OFA Ex-
ecutive deal with are: Market Risk Insurance, Corn Proposal,
Stabilization Programs, Hydro issues. Land Use Strategy, Ontario
Waste Management Corporation. The most recent issue being
dealt with is the problem with the "coloured diesel fuel" ... Harry
asked that anyone having problems get in touch with the OFA.
the Fieldman or county office with special details.
Harry was thanked by Ron Christie and presented with a Huron
county product as a gift.
Resolution: submitted and moved by Doug Garniss "Whereas soil
conservation, erosion and steam pollution are becoming issues
having a major effect on agriculture, therefore be it resolved that
OFA either strike a committee to study these issues or assign
them to an existing committee", seconded by Ivan McClymont.
Carried. Motion to be sent to OFA Board of Directors.
CANAGREX - Merle Gunby informed us Canagrex is now at a
crucial stage in the House of Commons, it will probably die when
the House closes down for the next recess if nothing is done to
push it at present. If the Canagrex Bill passes it will assist in the
export of agricultural products. At present there is opposition
from the west and too much government interference on our
economy. Merle asked each ISM present to call Murray Cardiff or
their MP in the next day or so and ask him to push the Canagrex
Bill.
Motion from the joint meeting to send a letter to Murray Cardiff
and Bill Jarvis urging them to support Canagrex, with copy to
Eugene Whalen. Carried.
Bill Crawford announced the Health & Drug plan will be going
up to $100 per family from $63 on the first of January. He is going
to be holding the Insurance Advisory Courses on all types of In-
surance in 25 different Counties this winter.
Adjournment: 10:30 Coffee and lunch followed.
HCFA President's Remarks Dec. 1982
First two items of immediate interest:
Bank Hassles -
In the past month, I've received several calls from county
farmers who have been unhappy with their banker's attitude and
treatment of them. Through the OFA properties department we've
gone to the banks to get an explanation of their conduct and en-
courage them to be more co-operative.
PG. 62 THE RURAL VOICE, JANUARY 1983
I hope that before these type of "hassles" deteriorate to threats
of sales and foreclosures, we will have a County Committee
prepared to engage in farm gate defense. If you are having
hassles with your bank, please let me know. You can also shop
around and check out options like the OFAAP program.
Coloured Fuels •
Huron County's resolution on coloured fuels was passed at the
OFA convention. It called for stopping the use of the dye until a
safe and reliable substitute could be implemented. Since then the
Minister of Finance has admitted that there may be a problem and
that they will investigate it. OFA now needs the names of farmers
who have had problems with the coloured fuel. If the coloured fuel
has caused equipment problems for you call Dale Ferns, OFA Pro-
perties Department, 416-485-3333.
OFA Convention
This has already been covered in the press. It was a good con-
vention. I was pleased that through the Review and Planning
Committee we will be taking a look at how we can run OFA to best
meet the needs of farmers in Ontario in the future. Another for-
ward looking resolution set up a committee to study alternative
farm financing. We must be making long term plans rather than
bouncing from crisis to crisis and I hope both of these initiatives
will help us do that.
This past month a line from a song keeps recurring in my
thoughts -
"No man is an island - no man stands alone
Each man's joy is joy to me - each man's grief is my own
We need one another • so I will defend
Each man as my brother - each man as my friend."
In our farm community, if we can develop ways of standing
together, I think we can look forward to less grief and more joy
than we might otherwise find in 1983.
I wish you a Joyous Christmas - and I would encourage you to
get involved in making it a happier New Year.
Tony McQuail
During Jan., Feb. and March. the Fieldman for Huron/Perth will be holding
active membership drives in all townships of both counties. He needs help.
Any volunteers' Call 482.9642 or 273.2032.
Huron County
Federation of Agriculture
January 6, 1983 8:30 P.M.
SOUTH HURON SECONDARY SCHOOL
EXETER
TOPII:: How to Survive in Todays downturn Economy.
' Panel Discussion will he held by:
Bob Morris, Toronto -Dominion Bank, Agrologist.
Da%e (,owing Farm Credit Corporation Loan Officer.
Klaus Brodthagen Federal Business Development Bank Manager.
11,
There will he an opportunity to ask questions.
Social Half -Hour 8:00 - 8:30 P.M.
SPE(:I A1. SLIDE Presentation describing the Farm
Credit Corporation's Loan Program will he shown at 7:15
P.M. before the meeting. Come early and ser for yourself
what Farm Credit can offer.