The Rural Voice, 2003-03, Page 60HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Website: www.hcfa.on.ca Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
* The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
in Huron County by the HCFA.
Let us know your feelings on issues
"Farmers helping farmers", that's
what the OFA is all about and
likewise for the Huron County
Federation of Agriculture (HCFA). Is
there an issue that is affecting you
and your farm? Is there an issue you
feel is affecting the whole of
agriculture? Then we need to hear
from you - contact our member
service rep., Paul Nairn or any
member of the board of directors. We
can do much more together as a team,
than we can individually. We have 29
directors on our board - 10 of which
are representatives from the
commodities: white beans, corn,
pork, beef, wheat, dairy, eggs,
chickens, sheep and soys.
County Activities:
We maintain strong lines of
communication with elected officials.
An annual MP, MPP, and Municipal
Politicians day is a formal event,
hosted by the county federation at
which commodity groups report.
Making a phone call or sending an
email are effective: everyone
received represents many more
people who feel the same way.
Making that call to a politician or
farm representative is something that
all can do.
As we struggle with words to get
the correct meaning and approach to
NOTICE
Ontario Cattlemen Association
The Breeder Co-op for
Huron/Perth/Middlesex is now up
and running. Up to $50,000
is available if approved. For
more information contact Tom
Etherington at 519-235-3676.
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 or 1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1416
56 THE RURAL VOICE
the Nutrient Management Act, we
need your input. Sincere thanks to
those individuals who have made
presentations or written letters.
Together we can work for the
common good of all.
Keeping in Touch:
This magazine is sent to you by
the county federations of agriculture.
We hope you read the other news
reports for sometimes we try not to
overlap on major news. Perhaps, like
me, you read the back pages first.
OFA sends news by radio, letters,
Better Farming magazine and its
website. Does this sound like too
much information.
http://www.hcfa.on.ca/
We're on the web. HCFA has
recently launched its own website.
Director Henry Damsma gathers ag
news daily under headings of county,
provincial, federal and world, plus
markets and a smile or two. Items
from the weekly papers add the local
flavour. If you don't have internet
connection, visit your local library
and have a look.
Connections:
The following are some of the
groups on which directors of HCFA
represent your interests: Huron
County Farm Environmental
Coalition; Huron County Farm
Environmental Mediation
Committee; Maitland Watershed
Partnerships (two sections - Water
Working Group and Terrestrial
(trees/vegetation)), and Huron Water
Coalition. Several of our directors are
also involved in 4-H groups and Slice
of Huron.
One might ask why do people
volunteer their time? For me, there
are several reasons. Firstly, someone
led our farm organizations when we
were beginning farmers with young
children. Now it's time to give back.
Secondly, there is the opportunity to
extend friendships beyond the
contacts of one's youth, sports,
church, 4-H, Junior Farmers and
school.0
- Submitted by Marilyn Broadfoot,
Huron County Federation of Agriculture
BOARD MEETING
Fourth Monday of the Month
8:00 p.m. — Vanastra Office
Members Welcome!
Profile
Regional Director has broad interest
Marilyn Broadfoot is Regional Director to OFA for Huron
NorthWest including townships of Ashfield, Colborne, Goderich,
Hullett, East Wawanosh, West Wawanosh.
Farming in both Goderich and Stanley townships, Marilyn, her
son Donald and trusty dog Amber produce grain and oilseeds.
Coming from a dairy background near Kirkton, she and her late
husband Edward had a swine finishing operation. Obviously,
adaptability is key for agriculture!
The experience of being selected as an ambassador for an overseas Junior Farmer
exchange opened Marilyn's eyes to the universality of farming problems. A graduate of
UWO (with a degree in social sciences) and the London Teachers' College, she taught
from one -room school to centralized modern facility at Huron Centennial. Today, Marilyn
is concerned by the diminishing profile of rural schools.
-ler other interests include history, gardening and the theatre (volunteer with the Blyth
Festival). An active member of the Vanastra Curling Club, she would like to promote it
as a wonderful spot to exchange farm news and views.
Soil conservation and environmentalism have always been in Marilyn's thinking as
she has planted extensive windbreaks and buffer strips over the past 30 years.
Marilyn would like to stress her resolute belief in the importance of the family farm.0
Marilyn Broadfoot