The Rural Voice, 2003-11, Page 47RAINY RIVER dl‘
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Fedeeratstionnmembers
1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER' The i Voice is provided to Rainy
by the RRFA.
October 15, 2003
We hope you've taken the time to
enjoy the colours of autumn as you rush
to meet those deadlines. We did and we're
not sorry. This fall weather has been like
no other, and it sure helps to take your
mind away from BSE, low cattle prices
and all the other day-to-day problems that
continue to occur across the country.
The time has come to review our
values and remember what is most
important: family, friends, and the faith
that we've been given should be top
priority. Helping your neighbours and
doing volunteer work doesn't hurt either.
Set a few hours aside and become a
director for RRFA, if only for a year. The
annual meeting comes up October 25 at
Emo. You get to meet some really great
people and exchange some great stories.
RRFA is "Farmers working for Farmers".
The October 7 RRFA meeting was at
the Emo Curling Club with Ken Fisher
chairing until Bernie Zimmerman finished
his chores. Jason Teeple, James Gibson,
Linda Armstrong, Kristine Carpenter,
Shirley Morrish, Betty Salchert, Reg Kaus
and Angela Halvorsen all attended as
well.
Betty, reporting for member services,
said that the All -Candidates' meeting that
she was scheduling. had to be cancelled
due to lack of interest towards the farming
community. Two of the candidates felt
that the country -folk could attend the
meeting in town. But, we fixed them.
Those two lost the election.
Betty also mentioned the very
successful Threshermen's Demonstration
at the Bill and Carol McLean farm south
of Devlin. This McLean farm has been in
the family for 100 years and their son
Todd and wife Tammy are continuing the
succession in a way that would make his
grampa proud. The McLean family are
wonderful hosts and will be displaying
more of their hospitality, when the
municipality of LaVallee celebrates their
100 years in 2004. Don't miss it.
Jason, Ken and James are on the
Entertainment Committee and are
prepared for the upcoming annual
meeting. It will be held at the Emo
Legion. Tickets are available from any
director. Elections will take place before
the surprise speaker.
The Hereford Farm Tour day was
great. The weather was a bit cool and
windy but, after all the stops, everyone
gathered at the farm of Kimno Bliss to
view the herds that were trailered there,
and to round off the day with a potluck
and all -Canadian Beef Barbecue. Jack,
Kathy and Scott McNabb hosted the
brunch at their farm in Stratton to start the
tour off. McNabbs, too, have a very
impressive herd. We missed Tony Weir
on the tour. He's having a rest at the
hospital right now and we hope to see him
out and about very soon.
Canadian Western Agribition in
Regina happens November 24-29. There
is a Manitoba Farm Women's Conference
at the Victoria Inn November 3-4 in
Winnipeg. Call 204-643-5205 or 204-
423-2089.
A new and bigger CTC store is
underway next door to the old one, and
down the highway, the great Walmart is
rising above the swamp willows. 1 think
of the stories my father-in-law would tell
us of the days when he first arrived in the
district. That entire area was a cow
pasture and he herded cattle on horseback
for Flinder's Dairy in the undivided lands
west of Fort Frances. Times do change
and we hope for the better.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in
Toronto takes place in November. If you
are interested in taking part or displaying
products, contact Rainy River Future
Development Corporation at 274-3276
and become part of the NorthWestern
Ontario Team to test your product.
A team of 4-H members will be
travelling to the Royal this year.
Congratulations and good luck to Matt
McQuaker, Haily Heyens, Matt Beecham
and Kerry Hyatt. They won the
competition in Sudbury earlier this month.
Awards night for 4-H will be in
Stratton, January 30, and our next regular
Leaders' Association meeting is
November 17 at Barwick. Does anyone
remember who the recipient of the Dairy
Trophy was? It has become lost in the
shuffle when the Ag office made some
moves and since there have been fewer
Dairy Clubs the trophy was somehow
been mislaid. Call KimJo or any 4-H
leader if you have an idea where it may
be.
The Top of the Line sale has been
cancelled for this year because of the
uncertainty in cattle sales. Next year
should be different.
In the OAFE report by Kristine, we
had a terrific Ag Week in the district. It
began with the bus tour past various
farms, beginning at the Fort Frances
Farmers' Market. Stops were made at
Darby's Elk Farm, Dale Perusse's Buffalo
Farm, Willow -Mor Farms, Emo Research
Station and Arnold Kaemingh's Dairy
Farm. Much appreciation goes out to the
hosts, Ken Fisher, and Kaeminghs for
lending their school buses. Thanks to the
drivers, Paula Tib and Jackie Smart.
During the week, the local radio station
gave out gift baskets that had been
donated by local businesses. To round off
the week, our Ag awareness committee
set up a display at the farmers' market
promoting beef. We also sold tickets on a
scarecrow which was won by Pam Oliver
of Fort Frances. Betty Salchert had her
homemade apple cider available as well.
We handed out "I Love Canadian
Beef' bumper stickers. Thanks to Farm
Credit Corporation and Canadian
Cattlemen's Association for providing
them.
In fourth century in Sparta, men over
20 years of age were required to eat two
pounds of meat .a day to give them
courage. Doesn't seem to take quite as
much these days.
Bernie reported for the milk producers.
There is a new milk director. and the fall
policy conference is this week. which
Bernie is attending. He also mentioned
the blackout in Eastern Ontario that
caused problems for milk producers. The
power was out and milk had to be
dumped.
If you receive Better Farming
magazine. read page 8. in the October
issue. Our very own Glen Hart has a letter
in that's well worth reading and thinking
about.
Rainy River Farmers' Market had their
final market day for the 2003 season on
Saturday. September 27. A meeting for
members takes place Monday. October 22
at 7:00 p.m. at the market. Clover Valley
Farmers' Market in Fort Frances, will
have their final day on Saturday. October
25.
Linda and Stan Armstrong arrived
home safely and Linda has a note she
would like printed, so here goes: "Thanks
to John and Anne Nesbit for bed and
breakfast. We had a great time. Stan and 1
had a wonderful time visiting and
renewing old friendships along the road
and in Southern Ontario. To those friends
we missed, you were not forgotten. It's
great to see how many people read
Shirley's page. and to hear what a
fantastic job of keeping Northwestern
Ontario on the minds of the rest of
Ontario. Thanks Shirley. With fond
memories, — Linda and Stan Armstrong."
Now, if that doesn't give one a bit of
confidence, nothing will. Happy reading!
"Don't judge each day by the harvest
you reap. but by the seeds you plant." -
Robert Louis Stevenson.
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
NOVEMBER 2003 43