The Rural Voice, 2005-03, 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 OFA
Members in Huron County by the HCFA.
HCFA passes resolutions on CAIS
The following actions were taken
by Huron Federation of Agriculture
at its January Board meeting.
The HCFA donated $200 to the
London Farm Show for four $50
grocery draws to be made from
Huron County attendees.
Perth County Federation of
Agriculture is planning a "Queen's
Park 101" bus tour to show rural
residents how a typical day in
Queen's Park is run. Perth Federation
has invited Huron to participate as
well.
The Federation is sending a letter
to support the nomination of Charlie
Gracey to the Order of Canada.
Two resolutions are being sent to
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Ron Bonnett visits Huron
OFA President Ron Bonnett was in Huron
and Perth Counties on February 7-8.
Many attended a meeting in the Kurtzville
Community Centre on February 7. This
meeting was open to both Huron and Perth
residents. On the morning of February 8,
approximately 20 attended a meeting at
Vanastra at the Huron office to hear Ron
speak on the concerns and prices of
agriculture today. OFA is planning a rally on
Wednesday, March 2 to Queen's Park. Also
involved in the plans are commodity groups,
CFFO and NFU groups. Be watching your
local paper and media for more details. On
February 8, an afternoon meeting was held in
Exeter where a crowd of 125 came out to
hear Ron.0
board meeting:
1. Whereas the CAIS forms are much
too complicated,
Therefore be it resolved that OFA
lobby the provincial and federal
governments that the CAIS forms be
simplified."
2. Whereas, there are still many
outstanding issues with CAIS e.g.
extremely low long-term reference
margins that have been addressed in
the past with adhoc programs and
companion programs, inventory
valuation, modified accrual concept,
etc. and
Whereas, federal and provincial
bureaucrats have indicated that do not
want farmers and farm accountants
involved in the CAIS review process
and
Whereas, the CAIS review was to
Wind Power Leases
Monday, January 24 approximately 25
Huron Federation Farmers met with Ted
Cowan, OFA Energy Resource Researcher to
discuss concerns of leasing their properties
to energy companies. Some of the concerns
were: not enough compensation for having a
tower on your property; not good for the
elderly selling the farm (might make it less
valuable).
The meeting was organized by Ken Scott
of the HCFA Board. Mr. Cowan will be
making a list of recommendations, pros/cons,
etc. and we will be getting the information to
all people who attended the meeting. A
follow-up meeting is also planned.0
Nutrient Management Regulations and
Financial Assistance Program
Large livestock operations whose existing operations generate 300 Nutrient Units or more are
required to submit a nutrient management strategy by July 1, 2005 for approval.
To access the cost -shared funding farmers are asked to submit their strategy by March 31,
2005. A Nutrient Management Plan must then be submitted by December 31, 2005.
To find out more about complying with the Nutrient Management Act and Regulations contact
the OMAF Nutrient Management Information Line at 1-866-242-4460. To find out more about the
Financial Assistance Program, contact the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association at
519-826-4214 or through their website at www.ontariosoilcrop.org
For your information there are six researchers on staff at the OFA Office in Toronto to assist
members with questions or concems they may have in regard to their farm or business. These
experts can be reached by calling the Ontario Federation of Agriculture office in Toronto at 416-
485-3333.
Senior Researcher - David Armitage, economist, deals with environmental issues;
Senior Researcher - Peter Jeffery, deals with land use and property issues;
Researcher - Ted Cowan, deals with hydro, electricity, natural gas, retail sales tax;
Researcher - Jason Bent, Economist, specializes in farm finances;
Researcher - Tina Schankula, deals with water and labour issues;
Water Resource Policy Analyst - Dean Barry, deals with nutrient management and water issues.0
56 THE RURAL VOICE
begin last fall and has yet to start:
Therefore be it resolved that OFA
continue the lobby to have adequate
farm group .safety net and accounting
representatives included in the CAIS
review process."
A motion was made to donate
$500 to the Perth visitors farm -to -
table maps which will include Huron
as well.
Wayne Hamilton, Walter
Stalenhoef, Nick Whyte, Paul Nairn,
members of HCFA executive met
with Carol Mitchell to discuss market
revenue, nutrient management,
source water protection and the
greenbelt. A motion was made to
lobby the Ontario Provincial
Government, the Premier, the
Minister of Finance and Rural
Affairs for support for full
compensation to farmers affected by
greenbelt for total loss of property
values plus loss of quality of life.
Board member Bill Wallace,
representing the Huron Dairy
Producers is looking for more cull -
cows to be donated to the Huron
County food bank. Contact Bill at
522-0804 or the Huron Federation of
Agriculture.0
Huron County Federation of Agriculture
BOARD MEETING
Fourth Monday of the Month
8:00 p.m. — Vanastra Office
Members Welcome!
INFORMATION ON WIND
TURBINE LEASES:
OFA Researcher Ted Cowan has some
excellent information for farmers to consider
before signing a wind lease agreement.
Call the HCFA office or visit the
HCFA website at www.hcfa.on.ca
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon / 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