The Rural Voice, 1991-03, Page 56GREY
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
THE URBANITES AMONGST US
Arc you ready for the challenge?
The challenge before us in the rural
community is coming. Over the past
few years, the rapid expansion of popu-
lation and wealth has spilled into the
rural community of Grey County. This
has been both a blessing and a problem
Agriculture never did climb out of
the recession of the early 1980s and was
then ripe for the influx. This rapid
expansion has taken our politicians and
ourselves by surprise. We have been
naive in believing this could be nothing
but beneficial. With this influx of
people have come the problems of gar-
bage, tire dumps, water extraction, stray
livestock, uncontrolled severances, and
an ever increasing request for services.
The bright spot is that these people
have also brought increased equity val-
ues on real estate. However, they may
also contribute to a rapid decline in
values by the very fact that most seem to
have a "for sale" sign on the gate now.
Rural Canada, and particularly Grey
County, should not be subjected to this
roller coaster ride. What should we do
about it? First, we should make new-
comers aware of what local customs and
farming practices are in place. Be firm
in what we expect of them in how their
livestock and pets will be handled in the
event of blatant disregard for the com-
munity.
Secondly, work with the people in
their quest for their dreams. Remember,
they have money and influence and
valuable untapped resources. Their
connections with the bureaucracy can
be helpful in the event of lobbying.
GCFA
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, February 28, 1991
Thursday, March 28, 1991
OMAF Boardroom, Markdale
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to attend
50 THE RURAL VOICE
They have invested heavily in the com-
munity and don't want the same prob-
lems here as they left behind. We must
work together to build and maintain a
community.
Lastly, our politicians must be made
aware that they are here to serve the
electorate. This is paramount in that
citizen groups requesting bylaw imple-
mentation and action should be encour-
aged and responded to in an expedient
and courteous manner. The failure to do
so will be at their own expense in the
next election.
We must begin immediately to set
our sights on how our community,
oldtimers and newcomers alike, will
look, work, provide, and prosper to the
benefit of all.
Let's start communicating.
Ken Furlong
GCFA Executive member
RURAL CONNECTIONS
"DISCOVERING OPPORTUNITIES AND HOPE
FOR AGRICULTURE IN THE 1990s"
A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH:
CARL SULLIMAN, MODERATOR is the Chief Operating Officer
of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
KEN FURLONG is a full-time farmer who has found innovative ways
to minimize input costs and increase farm profit margins
JANET HORNER is a farm partner who has discovered an `on farm,"
value added enterprise which utilizes available products, assets, and
labour and management resources
ALLAN WILFORD will speak about the revitalization of the co-
operative spirit and discuss what opportunities farmers may discover
through working together
TED ZETTEL is an organic farmer who is active in Ontarbio, a co-
operative that processes, markets, and exports farm produce for its
members
Following presentations by the panelists, the audience will be encouraged
to respond with questions or share their own experiences which are
relevant to "discovering opportunities and hope for agriculture in the
1990s."
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
8:00 — 10:00 p.m. (Refreshments served)
Knights of Columbus Hall, Hanover, Ont.
(1 km West of Hanover on Hwy. #4)
FREE! Everyone Welcome!