The Rural Voice, 2001-10, Page 3R.V.
Editor & Publisher: Keith Roulston
editorial advisory committee:
Bev Hill, farmer, Huron County
Diane O'Shea, farmer, Middlesex Cty.
George Penfold, associate professor,
University of Guelph
Gerald Poechman, farmer, Bruce Cty,
contributing writers:
Bonnie Gropp, Ralph Pearce,
Bob Reid, Mervyn Erb, Sandra
Orr, Janice Becker, Andrew Grindlay,
Mark Nonkes, Larry Drew
marketing & advertising sales manager:
Gerry Fortune
advertising representative:
Merle Gunby
production co-ordinator:
Joan Caldwell
advertising & editorial production:
Dianne Josling
printed & mailed by: Signal -Star
Publishing, Goderich, Ontario
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The Rural Voice,
Box 429, Blyth, Ontario,
NOM 1H0
Telephone: 519-523-4311 (fax 523-9140).
e-mail: norhuron@scsinternet.com
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Behind the Scenes
Hiring and firing becoming a farm skill
The world of farming changes
continuously. There was a time when
most farms had a hired man, then the
mechanization of farming meant most
farm families did most of the work
themselves, except for some work
done by custom operators.
Now as farms expand, particularly
in the hog sector, employees are
becoming a regular part of the
operation of many farms. But today's
operations with more than just one
hired hand, are a far cry from the old
days and farm managers must polish
up new skills of dealing with people.
As pork producer Chris Cockle told
farmers attending a seminar in
Shakespeare recently, there's a whole
different dynamic when you add a
second employee to what had been a
simple relationship between a farmer
and a hired hand.
Though the meeting was designed
primarily for larger pork producers,
the messages delivered from a parade
of speakers could just as easily apply
to a poultry, dairy or beef operation
or even an agribusiness with several
employees. We have that story.
Dealing with employees is one
thing. Dealing with family members
is something else entirely. The
Robinson family of Walton manage
to make a large farming operation
work with father Bob and three sons
all involved, along with a number of
employees. They have an interesting
story to tell of making it work.
While most farms in western
Ontario produce soybeans or corn,
the small group that farms the black -
muck soil of the former lake bed near
Grand Bend are a breed apart, prod-
ucing potatoes and onions and other
vegetable crops. Sandra Orr visited
one of these farms and tells of the
unique challenges involved.
With higher environmental
expectations for farmers, Huron
County has embarked on a unique
program funded by the Healthy
Futures program. Already the
program is a success with 80
applications in the first six weeks.
October is traditionally the time
for our woodlot-themed issue. This
month Larry Drew explores the value
of woodlots for more than just the
lumber they produce.0
Our goof
Due to an error on the editor's
part, the people in the photographs
accompanying Sandra Forster's story
on kiwis and nuts in the September
issue were incorrectly identified. The
top photo shows Ken Holtby with his
kiwi vines. The bottom photo shows
Ron and Dianne Farrell with their
hazelnuts. I apologize for any
inconvenience or embarrassment
caused by this error. — KR
Update
Donnellys' tickets a hot item already
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, spring seems a long way off but
hundreds of people are already making plans for a night out next June as the
fascination with the legend of the Donnellys continues (as told by Mark Nonkes
in our June issue).
The Blyth Festival's extravaganza, The Outdoor Donnellys was sold out before
it even opened last June and immediate plans were made to remount the show in
June 2002. The event involves an entire evening of theatre with short episodes
from the Donnelly legend told by the professional cast and community members
at various locations around the village, followed by the main show by the
professional company on a grandstand at the fairgrounds.
The 2002 version will include a special weekend option for truly dedicated
Donnellys addicts. Beginning in the afternoon, those who buy this special, value-
added option will get to see all the vignettes (normally any one member of the
audience gets to see only a third of the episodes) plus have dinner. The Saturday
allotments for these special tickets are already sold out but some Sunday tickets
will be going on sale.0