The Rural Voice, 2000-06, Page 63RAINY RIVER 16
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER RAINY RIVER VALLEY River FedeeratstThe iionnVmembers
is provided to Rainy
by the RRFA.
May 16, 2000
Once the garden is planted and the
grain is in the ground and the planters
are filled with blooms, we can begin to
take a moment for ourselves to relax on
the front porch, deck, or grassy lawn
before the busy days of summer hit us
with the haying season. Did you ever
watch a flock of Grosbeaks. crack
sunflower seeds open to enjoy the tasty
morsels inside, with only their beaks to
do it with. It takes seconds and yet
when a human tries it by using a set of
teeth and two hands, it takes so much
longer. These are just a few of God's
creatures that make us aware and
appreciate, the wonders of nature and
how it all fits together. Remember to
kick off those shoes for awhile and
walk barefoot in the grass. You'll be
glad you took the time.
Our May 2 RRFA meeting was held
at Morley with Linda Armstrong, Kim
Desserre, Ken Fisher, Bernie
Zimmerman, Betty Salchert, Jason
Teeple, Shirley Morrish, Kristine
Carpenter, KimJo Calder and Angela
Halvorsen attending.
Betty had the opportunity to visit
with the four Kenora farms while there
and reported that there will be a farm
tour in that district June 3. There was a
question on the chance that our district
would have a farm tour for year 2000.
Guest, Angela Halvorsen for RR
Futures Development is looking into
ideas and what may be available. Her
committee helpers are Deb Cornell and
Betty Salchert.
KimJo announced that the Research
Station at Emo will be holding a BBQ
to celebrate their anniversary coming
up July 7. Her two hired summer
students are Ryan Sinninghe and Laura
Zimmerman, both 4-H members, both
athletes, both farm kids, both good
dependable workers and both very tall.
Congratulations to Don McCulloch
and Nellie Romyn who will celebrate
their union of marriage on Saturday,
May 20. Much happiness to you in all
the years to come.
Pamphlets on the Farm
Beautification Contest will be available
very soon. Contact President Linda
Armstrong for further details. This year
you can nominate your neighbour or
friend, with permission, for the entries
along with a before photo of your
candidate's home or farm.
The annual RRFA meeting in
October will be prepared ahead of time
with nominating committee of Bernie
Zimmerman, Ken Fisher and KimJo
Calder. Positions for president,
secretary, treasurer, and a number of
directors are up for grabs. To vote you
must be a paid up member by the end
of September 2000.
The sixth annual Giant Pumpkin
Festival for the Rainy River Valley will
be held again this year under the
direction of Eltjo Wiersma at Rainy
River. Give him a call at 807-852-4405.
The seeds will have to be planted very
soon if you want to enter the contest.
Rainy River Farmers' Market
reopens for the season May 13 and
operates from 9:00 to 12:00 a.m. each
Saturday.
Joyce Meyers at 482-2086 is
looking for Fair Queen Contestants for,
this year's annual Fall Fair in August at
Emo. The girls must be between the
ages of 14 - 18 years of age.
Bernie reported that the local Milk
Producers have lost another member
and possibly a second. At this time
there are only 19 milk producers in the
Rainy River district.
BIO (Beef Improvement Ontario)
are distributor for National ID ear tags.
Call 1-800-373-2253 to order. It takes a
while, but they do get there.
Ag Awareness set up a display at the
Clover Valley Fanners' Market in Fort
Frances on Saturday, May 13. We gave
out over 55 packets of mixed seeds, a
number of pamphlets on growing seeds,
and soil hints, along with compost info.
Each seed recipient wrote their name
and address down, with a promise to
return to the market in October to show
us a photo of the garden planted with
their free seeds, and to receive a prize
for their efforts. The local schools have
been visiting our farm to learn about
animals and agriculture in a hands-on
learning experience, making it fun but
educational at the same time. Students
have come from as far away as
Atikokan, making a day of learning that
if, "You ate today — thank a farmer".
4-H leaders will hold a meeting at
the Stratton Seniors Centre on Tuesday,
May 23. It will be a potluck get
together and presentation to Francis
Grant from OMAFRA whose position
there has been dissolved, as so many
others have. The changes that have
taken place in the past couple of years
have people so baffled that nobody
seems to know what to do about it next,
and have pretty well given up on how
the government runs things.
Despite the cold and rain on
Saturday, May 13 the Auction Sale at
Archie Wiersema's went very well and
was a great place to meet old friends.
Archie and Eleanor have moved to their
newly built home by the river, where
they can relax and take more time for
family and friends. This is a couple
who have done more than their share of
volunteer work in the district and
deserve a joyful retirement.
July 17 will be the Open House at
the research station, and July 18 will be
the annual Soil and Crop tour. Plan to
attend and see for yourself what Kimio
and her helpers are growing this season.
Top of the Line sale will take place
October 14 or 21. Hold those days open
on your calendar and contact KimJo for
more information.
Harry Vandetti, another faithful
reader, says he has to give up farming,
so his beautiful home and farm are for
sale. It's situated on the River Road
near Fort Frances and can be
recognized by all the beautiful flowers
and rustic charm.
We're looking forward to the annul
fish fry at Manitoukay-Nah-Chi-Wali-
Nung Historical Centre on Friday,
May 19. If you haven't been there
yet, then you are missing one of the
most beautiful places of history that
our district has to offer. You will
discover a way of life that is centred on
respect for all living things and a peace
that comes from living with the powers
of the universe. The centre is situated
55 kms. west of Fort Frances between
the towns of Barwick and Stratton.
You'll be glad you took the time to
visit. Call 807-483-1163 for more
information.
We have four beautiful seasons.
Let's enjoy each and every one of
them as they arrive and the simple
wonders of the world -like frogs and
fireflies.°
— By Shirley Morrish
JUNE 2000 59