The Rural Voice, 2003-01, Page 47RAINY RIVER
16
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER• The Federationi Voice is membersprby d to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River by the RRFA.
December 9, 2002
Deep in snowy December, hearts
and thoughts turn homeward.
It's the traditional time of goodwill,
love, family and friends sharing the
season of joy. It's the time for
homemade creations, children building
snowmen, brightly coloured lights
from every decorated home, the special
aromas from tangerine oranges,
cookies and cakes. When the tree is lit
and the lights come on for the first
time, it's like being a child again. We
plan and we prepare and make our
secret wishes. Like the old saying
goes: "The man who chops his own
wood warms himself twice." When
one prepares and creates something,
then gives it away, it's a good feeling.
It is a very special time.
The December RRFA meeting was
held at Morley with Bernie
Zimmerman chairing, and Linda
Armstrong, KimJo Bliss, Ken Fisher.
James Gibson, Angela Halvorsen.
Betty Salchert and Shirley Morrish
attending.
Rainy River Rural Safety held a
meeting last week and discussed the
year's activities and made plans for the
upcoming year. The annual meeting
will be held at the Emo Inn and is open
to everyone. Safety is an important
factor all year round. The theme for
2002 has been "Safe Livestock
Handling" and all Safety Organizations
are working together to raise
awareness to prevent accidents. After
watching Bernie limp into the RRFA
meeting with a smashed toe, Rudy
absent because he hurt his back and
Jason away because a deer ran into his
truck, I'm beginning to think we must
get the message across a bit stronger.
Accidents do happen, but we can only
live once. We wish to remind everyone
to drive that snowmobile carefully, not
aim it! Dress for the weather and be
prepared for breakdowns miles from
shelter. Make safety a top priority in
all aspects of life for the New Year.
Congratulations to Ron Bonnett on
his new position as president of the
OFA. I remember meeting Ron and
Kathy many years ago at an annual
OFA meeting and remembering them
for their hard work and dedication even
then. Ron is a beef cow/calf operator.
He's a farmer speaking out for the
farmer and always takes the time to
listen. In today's hectic world, we need
a strong voice more than ever.
Bernie reported for the Milk
Producers. The annual meeting for
them will be in Toronto January 8-9,
2003. Bernie will be attending from
this district.
Kristine was away at another
meeting, so was unable to report for
OAFE. We are busy collecting
material and information on PIG
projects. In 2003, our committee will
be promoting pork for a variation in
theme. It's been a very busy year for us
all.
The Rainy River Cattlemen's
Association will have their next regular
meeting on January 15 and the annual
meeting will be January 22 at Our
Lady of the Way School. Provincially
there are 11 breeder loan co-operatives
incorporated, and for more information
locally contact Kim Cornell at 807-
486-3477. OCA's annual will be held
in Toronto February 19-20, 2003.
Tom's stint as RRFA President comes
to an end at this year's annual, so start
thinking of who you want to reign at
the helm.
Rainy River 4-H Leaders
Association will hold their annual
meeting at the Emo Inn on January 17.
The annual 4-H Awards Banquet is
March 7 at Stratton Recreation Centre
with Rob Black as guest speaker.
Stats Canada released the latest
findings from the 2001 census of
agriculture. The median age of farmers
has increased to 49 years while the
average is 50 years. It costs between
$800.000 to $1.4 million to enter
farming. and having farming parents
has become almost a requirement to
become a farmer.
Close to one-half of farmers have
off -farm jobs.
More than one-quarter of farm
operators are female.
Agriculture continues to be the
second largest sector of the Ontario
economy, after the automotive
industry. The beef industry is the
second largest agricultural commodity
after dairy.
Manitoba Ag Days takes place
January 14-16, 2003 and this year
"Vigilant Village" will feature a
nostalgic "now and then" theme
exploring how far safety features and
practises have progressed on the farm.
John Deere company promotional
films will take you back to the days of
the two -cylinder tractor. "Caution
Cafe" will let you experience old time
"Rock 'n Roll". Memories of the
"Nifty Fifties" will be displayed on the
community billboard. Vigilant Village
also features a general store.
schoolhouse, community bank and lots
more. This all happens in the City
Square Mini -Rink. Keystone Centre.
My eastern readers have asked why I
mention Manitoba so much: it's
because our district borders Manitoba,
Minnesota and we are the centre of the
world. Just ask anyone who lives here!
The National Narcotics Agency
says that the problem was small. but
now growing among addicts who
cannot buy drugs. In Malaysia. addicts
are sniffing fresh cow dung to get high.
Cow dung emits gases. like sulphur
and addicts sniff on these gases to get
high. The Narcotics Agency are
worried because this method means
addicts can get high for free. There are
harsh anti -narcotic laws that call for
death by hanging for drug traffickers
but Malaysia does not have legislation
to cover cow dung sniffing.
Scientists at Hebrew University in
Israel have created bare -skinned
chickens. They say that it will save
poultry growers money in labour and
cooling costs. They feel that featherless
chickens will gain faster with less fat.
and a high meat yield per pound. This
is where I'd like to see Cahaner and his
founders, the Israeli Poultry Board and
a German -Israel agriculture research
foundation all try to live without their
"feathers". Have they nothing better to
spend money and time on. What would
these poor birds do in North America.
If God wanted birds to be born without
feathers, He would have made them
that way.
A snowflake has six sides. Let's
enjoy each and every one of them.
As we go into the New Year. let us
remember that you are young and
useful at any age. if you are plannin;!
for tomorrow.
And a man may fail many times.
but he isn't a failure until he begins to
blame somebody else. — J. Paul Getty.0
— By Shirley Morrish
THE RURAL VOICE 43