The Rural Voice, 2005-12, Page 70People in Agriculture
Landowners get Huron Federation award
Fred (left) and Carol Dutot (right) accept the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture Award for Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture from Marilyn
Broadfoot.
A group of 16 landowners from the
Tipperary Line near Clinton,
received the 2005 Huron County
Federation of Agriculture Award for
outstanding contribution to
agriculture.
The group took their fight over a
plan to store natural gas underground
in their area all the way to the
Ontario Energy Board where they
recently won major concessions for
landowners near such facilities. The
group proved that when landowners
are unified and have one voice they
can accomplish a lot, said Marilyn
Broadfoot, OFA regional director in
presenting the award.
In accepting the award on behalf of
the group at the October 20 annual
meeting of the Huron County
Federation of Agriculture in
Holmesville, Fred Dutot with his
wife Carol said there should be 50
people accepting the award including
those from the Federation and
advisers from Lambton County who
helped in the fight.
"Sixteen landowners stuck with
us," he said, adding wryly, "I hope
they stick with us when the lawyer's
bill comes in."
In all, the group spent 11 days
arguing their case before the Ontario
Energy Board. Their concerns about
the possible effects of the high-
pressure underground natural gas
storage on their water wells resulted
in an order that water wells in the
area will be tested up to 20 times in
the next five years with the results of
the testing to be released to the
landowners (the company wanted to
keep it private).
The gas company was ordered to
increase its liability insurance level
to $5 million and compelled to carry
pollution insurance.
The company is responsible for
cleaning up old gas and oil
production facilities in the area. The
company had wanted to simply
abandon the facilities, including
leaving pipes in the ground.
Compensation for the landowners
was raised 100 per cent from the
original offer and the GST will be
covered by the company, not
deducted from the landowner
payments. That can mean $45,000 to
the landowners.
Carson given Perth Federation Recognition Award
David Carson, whose family hosted the 2005
Intemational Plowing Match at Listowel was named
winner of the Perth County Federation of Agriculture's
Recognition Award at the group's annual meeting,
November 3.
"He eats sleeps and breathes agriculture," said
Bernice Kelly, Federation second vice-president in
presenting the award. She praised his work with 4-H
clubs, the agricultural society as both a judge and
announcer and the many charity auctions he conducts.
Carson said he was humbled to accept the award
when so many people were deserving.
"The IPM was the definite highlight of my year," he
said. "It's no secret that BSE and finances made 2004 a
year from hell but 2005 was a year from heaven."
Recalling the IPM and the many people he met and
talked to he said "I had a ball."
Carson received a standing ovation as he accepted the
award.
David Carson (left) accepts the Perth County Federation of
Agriculture's Recognition Award from Bernice Kelly, PCFA
second vice-president.