The Rural Voice, 2005-04, Page 64GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: www.ofa.on.ca/grey
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
• The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Grey County by the GCFA
Canvassing farmers a positive experience
The last few months have definitely
been busy around the farm: from
membership drives for the OFA. trying
to get some response to my CAIS
application, a bus trip to Queen's Park
and all those regular things that must
be done including farm chores.
Let's look at the membership drive.
It has been an interesting project
driving around the wintery country
roads talking with farmers and rural
residents explaining the OFA and its
approach to government
policies, and listening to their ideas
and concerns, like "when do you think
the border will open?" "Will the
government have more abattoirs
federally inspected so we don't have to
depend on the Americans?" "Why
don't we start affecting American
imports with boycotts of their goods?"
The list goes on and on.
Everyone had very valid and
definite concerns that often the
solution and or resolution to the
problems were hard to find or pin
down, but they usually came back
to too much bureaucratic interference
and lack of government financial
support. But the more we discuss
and bring forward ideas the
more chance of finding a stronger
approach as a group to our mutual
problems.
It was definitely a positive
experience that I will carry on
hopefully in the warmer weather.
CAIS — what a frustrating
adventure to pass all the hurdles and
dot all the "i's". The "i" was definitely
a moving target that I was finally able
to hit after numerous calls and e-mails.
Thank you for the cheque, and VISA
thanks you. Now the financial
situation is still not great but
somewhat less stressful than two
weeks ago.
While I am using the thank you so
much, thank you to my wife who
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, April 28, 2005
8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
Meeting Room (Grey Gables)
208 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members are welcome to mend
60 THE RURAL VOICE
would not let nie give up on my efforts
with CAIS. "Don't let the system beat
you. Stick with it a little longer" she
would say.
Dealing with the bureaucracy was
painful. I think I would have had less
pain by walking into that low beam in
the barn. you know the one that most
of us have that we sometimes forget is
there. Keep your heads up and eyes
wide open when dealing with the
government. because it's like the
beam, it appears when you don't
expect that but you should have known
it was there.
Queen's Park — a journey to the
Ivory Tower of Ontario. where
decisions are made by those who I
wish were more farm knowledgeable
and rural voter dependent. I
appreciated the number of farm people
willing to do chores even earlier than
normal or with the support of family
and friends were able to attend our
"One Voice March 2 Queen's Park
Farmers' Rally" in Toronto. Usually
the farmers that were not able attend
were working second jobs to keep
their farms afloat!
The turnout was tremendous with
over 8,000 farm and rural residents in
total. Three hundred were from Grey
and Bruce counties. travelling on eight
buses. cars. trucks. and vans. The
approximately 100 tractors driving
around Queen's Park was a wonderful
sight to see. Maybe manure spreaders
would have been more appropriate due
to the closeness of, the supply of
material.
Various farm groups were
represented. to explain the impact of
government in action on their
operations. Peter Tuinema. of the
grains and oilseed sector spoke of the
possibility of not planting crops this
year without government cash now.
Larry Skinner from Ontario Pork, said
"we are being over -regulated to
death," with examples of the Nutrient
Management Act. Source Water
Protection legislation and many more
government policies. Mark Richards, a
Kent County crops producer. was
appalled "that we have to come here to
demand the respect our government
owes us". Martin Lang from Glengarry
County put in words what many
Ontario farmers feel, "What's wrong
with our government that it can't treat
Ontario farmers as good as Quebec
treats its farmers?"
Hopefully all farm groups can work
as a real team and support each other
in their approach to government. Don't
let government divide and weaken us.
Only as a unified force can we gain
improvements for the farming
community. Remember "NO FARM.
NO FOOD, NO FUTURE" and we
must continue the "One Voice
March".0
— Submitted by John Hurst
Sheep Producers
Curling bonspiel draws 16 teams
The Grey County Federation of Agriculture held their annual Curling Bonspiel on
Saturday, February 19 at the Markdale Golf and Curling Club. Sixteen teams played
two eight end games during the day with a hot meal served between games.
Winner of the Co-operators Insurance trophy was Albert McLean's team with Skip,
Dave Traynor; Vice, Chris Hilts; and Second, Dan McArthur. Second place went to
Garry Johnson, Jim Van Veen, Jim McNeill and Mervin Johnson. The third place
team was Larry Foster, Brian Tulloch, Randy Woodhouse, and Ron Shaw. Other
teams were entered by Wes Sparling, Harris Kuhl, Barry Howey, George McCall,
and Barry Tolton.
The second draw for the Huron -Bay Co-op trophy was won by Skip, Jack Coburn;
Vice, Lloyd Muir; Second, Ray Coburn; and Lead, Jim Whitton. The team of Allen
Hughes, Bill Cathrae, Gerald Shortt, and Everett Wiley won second place. Third
place was won by Brian Mullin, Brian Hiltz, Walter Shiers, and Sam Lemon. Other
teams were entered by Wayne Hilts, Craig Martin, Scott Betts, Stan Batchelor, and
Wilmer Beckett.
Prizes of Bentinck Packers beef were presented to all curlers. The Markdale
Country Club ladies served an excellent roast beef dinner which was enjoyed by all
curlers.0 — Submitted by Albert McLean, Curling Bonspiel Co-ordinator