The Rural Voice, 2001-08, Page 67HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Website: www.ofa.on.ca/huron Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
CountyFederation o Agriculture NEWSLETTER ' The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
f Q in Huron County by the HCFA.
Huron farm groups chair meeting
Recently the leaders of the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture and
Huron Christian Farmers Federation
chaired a meeting with Agriculture
Minister Brian Coburn and MPP Helen
Johns to address farmers' concerns.
Along with representatives from the
federations, Huron County leaders of
the commodity groups — eggs,
chicken, beef, dairy, hogs, corn, soys,
wheat and white beans — filled the
Clinton OMAFRA boardroom.
In a brief hour, six issues were
discussed.
Healthy Futures
They questioned the status on the
Huron County Council's application for
funding from Healthy Futures; why
some applications have been denied,
and how many dollars have actually
been released. It was suggested that the
deadline of March 2002 be extended by
at least a year.
Small Abattoirs
Farmers depend on the series of
small abattoirs — which are now
struggling with excessive government
regulations.
Research and Education
OMAFRA was urged to continue to
support the agreement with the
University of Guelph for education,
research and lab services.
Leaders stressed the importance of
independent research work as in
Ontario crop trials.
Safety Net Funding
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642 / 1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1418
HURON COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Seaforth Community Centre
OFA President Jack Wilkinson
will be in attendance
At this meeting there will be changes to our
constitution regarding amalgamation.
Townships will have to be converted to
municipalities.
64 THE RURAL VOICE
Market Revenue Insurance was
described as a fair and good program.
Enhancements to 95 or 100 per cent
would be suitable. The minister was
thanked for co-operating with farm
organizations to develop long-range
plans for improved safety nets.
Ontario Farm Products Marketing
Commission
The commission was criticized for
shifting from its original mandate - of
administering the act - to managing the
affairs of the boards!
Farmland Property Tax
The shortfall in the Community
Reinvestment Fund (dollars from the
provincial government for municipal
governments municipalities) will lead
to increased taxes on farmland.
Nutrient Management Act 2001
(NM2001)
Farmers are concerned with the
unknown details. The financial and
operational impact on the farm
community was discussed. Will
HURON COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
BOARD MEETING
Fourth Monday of the Month
8:00 p.m. - Vanastra Office
Members welcome.
entorcement be under the supervision
of the Ministry of Environment or
OMAFRA? The minister was urged to
keep the regulations practical and
simple. Farmers also noted that the law
protects the environment for the benefit
of all of society and thus the costs of
NWA should not be borne by farmers
alone.
In reply the minister returned
frequently to themes of food safety,
NM legislation, life sciences and the
environment. Finally the minister was
asked to declare his vision for Ontario
agriculture!
This was a good meeting showing
the benefits of all farm groups working
ogether to get our points across.0
Huron Farm
Hiker Tour
Goes to the
1JP
Brussels Area
Sunday, September 30, 2001
Come out and bring the family to a "Country Tour"
including stops at a dairy farm, beef farm, trout
stream, horse farm and a farm equipment dealer.
A hearty country supper will be served by the
Brussels Ag Society after 5:00 p.m.
More information on map pick-up and supper
tickets will be available soon.
Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 30!
Farm Line
Confidential
Counselling 8 Referral
For Ontario Farmers
and their Families
OFA provided support
for the development of
the "Farm Line," a new
counselling and referral
service for Ontario
farmers and their
Toll Free: 1-888-451-2903 families.
Tel: 1-613-341-9341
NOMINATION FOR ANNUAL HURON COUNTY AWARD
I would like to nominate for the Annual
Huron County Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Agriculture and to
the community in the County of Huron as well as provincially because
Signed
Clip this ad and mail your reply to: Huron Federation of Agriculture,
PO Box 429, CLINTON, ON NOM 1L0 or Fax 519-482-1416