The Rural Voice, 2006-04, Page 63i6
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RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
PO Box 104, EMO, ON POW 1E0
807-482-3805
ANNA\ - The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
An eagle appears, born on a warm
south breeze. The ravens, their chicks
newly hatched, climb high into the
sky to confront this intruder. They
croak and swoop and call to their
neighbours to join the relay of
harassment which will escort the
dangerous visitor from their territory.
Thus begins the drama of
spring unfolding in Northwestern
Ontario.
Greetings. My name is Rick
Neilson. Last fall I was assigned the
task of writing the RRFA newsletter.
Thanks to Eric Busch for filling in so
capably while I was away. I will try
td maintain the high standard that
has been set for this page over
the years (with a nod to Shirley
Morrish).
The RRFA, Board of Directors
met at the Morley Municipal building
on the stormy evening of Tuesday,
March 7, for its monthly meeting,
with President, Trish Neilson;
directors, Linda Armstrong, Shirley
Teeple, James Gibson, Clayton
Teeple, Kim Jo Bliss, Rick Boersma.
intern, Eric Busch and myself
attending.
The Annual Spring Dinner is set
for April 27 at the Emo Legion.
Tickets can be obtained from any
director. The entertainment
committee promises a stimulating and
relevant, but not overly long,
program.
The Bill Gibson Award is
presented annually at this meeting, to
a RRFA member or couple who
deserve recognition for their
outstanding contribution to
agriculture in the Rainy River
District. All past recipients form the
selection committee,and even though
that committee has grown quite large,
the identity of the award winner is
always a well kept secret. It is fun
trying to guess who is to be honoured
as their contributions are being listed
Spring arrives in Rainy River
prior to the announcement of their
name. Submit nominations to Linda
Armstrong.
Linda reports that bookings for the
Farm Progress Building at the Rainy
River District Fall Fair are coming in
fast and she is trying to figure out
how to make the arena bigger. She
says that if you want a booth. you
should register ASAP. This will be.
Linda's 15th year, always helpful and
smiling, running the Farm Progress
Building.
Eric's work for the RRFA is
drawing to a close and he is busy
these days finalizing his report on
research into adding value - putting
some meat on the bones of ideas that
grew from the strategic planning that
was done last year. Be sire to read
the report, everyone.
The RRFA appreciates the
ongoing support of the Rainy River
Future Development Corporation.
They funded Eric's internship and.
most recently. sponsored a small
group to attend the Innovative
Farmers' Convention in London.
Eric presented a thorough report
on that conference. He attended along
with David Loewen, Greg Stahn and
Daniel Nussbaumer. They were
impressed with the quality of the
presenters and returned filled with
enthusiasm for the agricultural
opportunities that exist in this area.
Eric observed that they all served as
great ambassadors for the Rainy
River District.
If you haven't seen Eric's, report.
you can read it on the Rainy River Ag
Forum at: http://s14.invisionfree.
com/Rainy_River_Ag_Forum. The
forum has been getting progressively
busier and there has been some
exciting, thoughtful. and sometimes
passionate debate. Visit the forum.
We are talking about the future of the
Rainy River District.
The Rainy River Rural Safety
Association met at the Emo Inn on
February 20 for their annual meeting.
This small group, dedicated to the
memory of Bill Irvine. works to
promote safety on the farm and in the
home. After reviewing the past year
and sketching out the program for the
coming year. the elections were held
which resulted in everyone returning
to the same office as they will. no
doubt. hold next year. RRRSA
reminds everyone: Make safety part
of your life.
Registration packages for the
upcoming market season are out.
Clover Valley Farmers' Market
manager. Deb Cornell. is organizing
a Food Handler Certification Program
to be run by the Northwestern Health
Unit. Anyone wishing more info may
contact Deb at 486-3409. The CVFM
vendors who took part in the four
market days in, Kenora last year are
looking forwrd to an expanded
season this year. Kenora is hungry for
the freshness!
An early April meeting is planned
for those who signed membership
commitments to the Rainy River
Regional Abattoir. A steering
committee will be elected at this
important meeting:
Northwestern Health Unit
dietitian, Jarrad Gunn -McQuillan.
initiated the first meeting of the Food
Council which was held on Thursday.
March 13 in Emo. This committee.
made up of area producers and
consumers. who see the
environmental, economic and social
value of food localism, will be
preparing a brochure promoting local
products. They will also be
organizing food events that celebrate
the great food we produce here.
The positive energy that was present
at that meeting gives one a
healthy sense of optimism for the
future.°
- Submitted by Rick Neilson
APRIL 2006 59