The Rural Voice, 2001-05, Page 63RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
414
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
807-486-3622
AmmatiL RAINY RIVER b'ALLF.t ' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
April /7, 2001
Tom checked his cattle this morning
on the snow machine. Yes Easter
weekend was a surprise for everyone in
the Rainy River District. It was whiteout
time most of Sunday and on into Easter
Mqnday. But. the Easter bunny left his
tracks everywhere and the weather was
great for making snowmen. Spring is sure
going to look good this year.
The RRFA met at Morley on April 3
with Bernie Zimmerman, Linda
Armstrong, Kelly Faragher, Jason Teeple.
KimJo Bliss/Calder, Ken Fisher, Betty
Salchert, Angela Halvorsen. Reg Kaus,
Rudy Sinninghe, Kristine Carpenter and
Shirley Morrish all attending.
Member Services Rep. Betty reported
on the upcoming Communication
Workshop to be held Saturday, April 28
at 10:30 a.m. Anyone interested is to call
Betty at 807-486-3536 to register. Betty
also mentioned that the RRFA
membership is now 174 and that the $150
that each member pays does not stay in
our local association. It goes to OFA or
CFO, so it is necessary to hold functions
to keep funds available to make the
organization stay together in an orderly
manner. Any problems or questions about
RRFA or OFA are to be directed to Betty.
Linda stated that members who have
been in our local RRFA for 25 continuous
years will be recognized. The first annual
meeting was October of 1975 after the
organized date of June 12. Ralph and
Jacquie Hunsperger were two of the first
members and Linda would like members
to give her a call if you were there at that
time as well. Records have been lost and
she can go back only as far as 1986 for a
complete member's list. Linda's number
is 807-852-3656.
There's some concern over the rabies
in Cochrane which is a totally different
strain from the one that usually hits with
skunks, etc. and we now have no guns!
Kristine reported for the Ag.
Awareness committee which will be
situated at the spring Farmers' Market at
Fort Frances on May 12. We will be
promoting barbecued beef with recipes
and samples, and other meats like turkey,
chicken and maybe elk. Farm tours at
Willow -Mor Farms have been postponed
this season because of the Foot and
Mouth outbreak in Britain. Our district
doesn't need the disease, which struck
Canada in 1952. Our hearts go out to all
farmers in Great Britain and surrounding
countries who have been afflicted. May it
be contained and eradicated soon.
KimJo reported for the Farm
Beautification program which is
promoted by the Rainy River Valley
Agricultural Society. This year 4-H
members will be included in the contest
as long as their 4-H gate sign is used
along with their gate or entrance
competition. A "before" photo is also
asked for, as in the other entries. The
contest is open to everyone in the Rainy
River District. Call Linda Armstrong for
more information on this beautification
program in our District. Entries will be
judged in time fcr this year's Emo Fall
Fair, with great prizes.
Ken Fisher reported for the Rainy
River Community Pasture Association.
He says that there are 143 pairs and 62
stockers making a total of 348 head
entered for the pasture this season. This is
up from other years. The cross -fencing
that is being done is a big help, but each
section needs water -runs, and this is
where the extra cost comes in. Wally and
Tammy Hunsperger are the managers and
are doing a good job.
Emo Municipality is searching for a
mascdt to represent their great little town.
They have a contest open to anyone with
ideas. 1 really don't know why they'd
need a mascot when they already have
Ken Fisher.
The annual Spring Rainy River Ag.
Days was a huge success this year. All
comments were positive on the displays
and booths that were set up. It was
mentioned that next year the entry lists
should go out at least a month earlier to
make for a greater competition in the
seed, hay and silage entries. Thanks to the
dedicated work of KimJo, Kristine and
Gary for making it happen.
The RRFA annual Spring Dinner was
also held on the same Friday evening as
the Ag Day weekend. Once again the Bill
Gibson Memorial Award for outstanding
Voluntary Service to Agriculture in the
Rainy River District was• presented. This
year the award went to Tom Morrish. My
list would be too long to mention all the
volunteer time this dedicated man has
given, and is stilling giving. Tom was
totally surprised, and speechless. He gives
his thanks for the recognition and honour
of such an award and says that there are
so many others out there who deserve the
recognition as well. It felt like Academy
Awards Night!
The Emo Agricultural Research
Station is open as of April I. Kim.lo's
phone number there is 807-482-2354. It is
also their fax number.
That reminds me — at the Ag Days
weekend, Gordon Scheifele gave a
terrific. informative talk which I think
should be repeated at an open house or
field day for the folks who missed his
words of wisdom. It is not about hemp
crops either! All the speakers were good
and the coffee breaks were excellent.
giving time to view the tradeshow. Much
thanks to the sponsors: Neilson Cattle
Company, Rainy River Future
Development Corporation. Stratton
Equipment. Rainy River Milk Producers.
Cornell Farms, Sunset Country Elk
Ranch, T.J. Kaemingh & Sons Ltd. and
Marmus Shell. who provided funding for
the coffee breaks and lunch both days.
We were honoured that weekend with
a visit to our farm from two of the
speakers. Nancy Noecher, beef cow/calf
specialist, OMAFRA and Jim Johnston.
Forage Agronomist at New Liskeard.
They wanted to see our Galloway herd.
What a weekend!
Reminder: May 15 is Census Day in
Canada. A census questionnaire will
arrive in the mail very soon. Census Help
Line is 1-800-591-2001. May •1 - 31 from
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Rainy River Rural Safety set up a
display at Ag Days as well. There were
Tots of handouts and information given.
During the breaks our very own nurse.
Kristine had a table set up where she was
able to take your blood pressure reading.
It proved to be a huge hit with the crowd.
It was interesting to see how BP changes
just by activities and who's standing next
to whom.
The first sale of the season at Stratton
Sales Barn is this Saturday. April 21 at
9:00 a.m. The Feeder Sale will be
followed by a Bull Sale. Cleanup and
repairs took place Tuesday. April 10 with
a small group of dedicated cattle people
who kept busy with paint brushes.
hammers and screwdrivers. It was chilly
and damp that day, but the company and
hot coffee made the work go easier.
Thanks to Tom, Aarne, Bob, Allan, and
Jo for all their work that day.
Before, you decide to purchase
electricity from a retailer (when the
Government of Ontario confirms the date
for market opening). be sure to get all the
facts first. For information, call Ontario
Energy Board at 1.877-682-2727.
Next RRFA meeting is scheduled for
May 1 at the Curling Rink in Emo at 7:30
p.m.
Did you ever wonder why God put our
arms and legs where he did so that we
could neither pat ourselves on the back
nor kick our own rear ends.0
— By Shirley Morrish
MAY 2001 59
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