The Rural Voice, 2006-07, Page 58BRUCE
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
' The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Bruce County by the BCFA
Without a vision, people perish
BCFA's vision for agriculture
Our vision for the agricultural
future embraces farming as a
vocation providing an adequate
supply of wholesome food and
utilizing environmentally sustainable
practices.
We see as an ideal the owner -
operated farm where most of the
work is done by the farm family to
provide a viable family income.
We see a large rural population -base
engaged in agricultural production
as a cornerstone of the rural
economy and social structure.
We see a secure supply of food
achieved through diversity, self
sufficiency, and the protection of the
agricultural land resource.
February 1991
This ancient proverb has likely
been interpreted many ways in many
times by many visionaries. What
could a vision mean for agriculture —
or the food supply — or for family
farming.
Both the federal and provincial
agriculture ministries are talking
about long-term strategies for agri-
business. I wonder if more processing
of the same high -input, export -
destined commodities is really much
of a strategy.
Some of our farm leaders are
talking of a "future strategy" — ways
to capture consumer dollars for
energy, carbon or environmental
goods.
But you know, 15 years ago, the
Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture (BCFA) created a vision
for family farmers, their families and
their communities. At an annual
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Convention, Bruce County Directors
led a workshop session to discuss this
vision. It created quite a stir.
The session was the best attended
and first-ever participatory workshop
in OFA Convention history.
Attendees were inspired and ignited.
The success of the session and the
on-going discussions set a new pace
for conventions to come.
But, leadership of the day missed
a golden opportunity. That chance to
engage farmers in a meaningful
exercise has never been grabbed. I
wonder if this failure has resulted in
the current frustration and the splinter
groups now active in rural Ontario. A
vision should not need to be re-
invented.
Another farm organization has a
working vision for Ontario farmers.
By deduction, we might see what the
Canadian Agri -Food vision is. But
why not have another look at the
BCFA model? This simple vision
has not been contested or
BCFA ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, October 27, 2006
Further details to follow
Federal Livestock Transport
Regulations: Looking for Comments
The government's review of the federal transportation regulations is
currently on hold; however, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is accepting
comments on the regulations.
The Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) plans to meet with the livestock
transporters on June 23 and the Ontario Humane Transport Working Group on
June 29 to discuss the next steps.
The Ontario Cattlemen's Association has approved an OFAC proposal to
collect actual transportation statistics in Ontario (length of time in transit,
stocking densities) at sales barns, processing plants and feedlots.
To see details or provide your own comments visit:
http://www. inspection.gc.ca/engl ish/anima/heasan/transport/notavie.shtml
54 THE RURAL VOICE
replaced since 1991.
Are we still trying to receive
recognition for the professional
vocation that farming is? Are we still
trying to produce wholesome food in
a way that honours and protects the
environment? Don't we still desire a
structure where the owner -operator
family receives fair compensation for
the use of family resources?
My guess is that a visionary
strategy coming from the "top" will
not work any better than past short-
term programs. Might I suggest that
the way to a sustainable, local, secure
food system is only achievable when
many, many, many families embrace
a vision of their own and develop
new ways of farming and
marketing?0
— Submitted by Gerald Poechman,
Brant Township Director
Phone: 519-364-5657
BCFA Office: 519-364-3050
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 24, 2006
CONTACTS
Ontario Farm Animal Council
(Animal Care Helpline)
1-519-837-1326
www.ofac.org
Queen's Bush Rural Ministry
(Collect calls accepted)
1-519-369-6774 or 1-866-902-7828
The Farm Line
1-888-451-2903
www.farmline.ca
Kids Help Phone
(24 hours per day up to age 21)
1-800-668-6868
Parent Help Line
1-888-603-9100