The Rural Voice, 1983-12, Page 24WINDON
FARMS
Yorkshires
& Spots
R.O.P. Tested
R.R.2 Monkton
519-347-2259
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas
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Thank you for your patronage in 1983.
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PURINA
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RYAN DRYING LTD.
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PG. 22 THE RURAL VOICE, DECEMBER 1983
527-0527
FARM NEWS
Bruce delegates
to convention
OFA executive member Lynn Gir-
ty,. a vegetable and cash crop farmer
from Essex county, was guest speaker
at the Bruce Federation of Agri-
culture's annual meeting for Bruce
North and Bruce Centre.
Girty said the OFA convention will
be held this year at the Skyline Hotel
in Toronto, November 28, 29 and 30.
He says there will be evening
workshops on subjects such as
membership development, environ-
ment, and animal welfare as well as
other workshops not yet finalized.
Girty says OFA's main thrust is the
financial concerns of the farming
community, environment legislation
and foreign ownership. He felt that
losses to the environment and special
interest groups such as developers
and wildlife groups were becoming an
increasing concern to farmers. Girty
says farmers' financial concerns must
be presented to government on a con-
tinuing basis.
"Farmers," he says, "must realize
they are tied together and must work
together to solve problems." Girty
used the example of how Southern
Ontario corn has to be marketed
through Bruce County beef.
Girty pointed out that in recent
government inflation statistics, the
farmer's share of the food dollar was
decreasing. The consumer's
disposable income is increasing each
year but the income spent on food is
declining.
Girty says the agricultural industry
must become better organized and
cohesive. The commodity group must
realize they share the same market
and must work together to get the
best returns from the markets. He
emphasized that for OFA to tackle
problems and achieve results, they
must have facts and examples when
they speak on behalf of farmers.
At the meeting, Wayne Robertson
was acclaimed regional director for
Bruce North. He, along with three
delegates - Ken Kelly, Bev Robertson
and Allen Wilford, will be attending
the OFA annual convention.
Ron Garland was acclaimed
regional director for Bruce Centre.
Delegates, Donna Ahrena, Harold
Poechman and Gerald Hundt will at-
tend the convention with Ron
Garland. ❑
Ron Garland