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The Rural Voice, 1991-04, Page 74PERTH Matt Crowley, President, R. R. 1, Gadshill NOK 1J0 393-5716 PCFA Office 229-6430 * The Rural Voice is provided to farmers in Perth County by the PCFA County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTY CAN DO FOR YOU Perth County is an important agricultural county in Ontario. The variety, quantity, and quality of farm products produced in Perth County demonstrate its importance to On- tario agriculture. To illustrate how much impact the farm industry has on the local economy, just try to imagine while you're driving to town that each farm related busi- ness you pass was out of existence. The people employed there are out of work. The inventory and supplies in the yard are not needed any more. It's a scary thought. The Perth County Federation of Agricul- ture, along with representatives from the commodity boards and other farm groups, arc regularly meeting with our politicians. We are able to discuss issues that concem agriculture and its impact on Perth County. It is clear from these meetings that we are not able to become complacent. The communi- cation link between farmers and politicians is very important to healthy agriculture in the 90s. Longer term projects include communi- cation with the consumer. Today's consum- ers are being bombarded with information about food safety that preys on their lack of first hand knowledge about where their food comes from. To address this concern, Perth Federation works with Women in Support of Agriculture's Ag in the Classroom program. This program brings together information from commodity groups, the federation, and WSA, to teachers so that their students will be able to get an understanding of the food industry from pen to plate. This concept of teaching children, who in tum educate their parents, has worked successfully in other campaigns such as the metric system and the seat belt promotion. As farmers, we are not afraid of consumer education. Rather, we encourage it. NOTES February Meeting Guest speaker at a recent meeting was John Uren of Metropolitan Life. John's opening remarks, "People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan," summed up the eve- ning discussion. He compared G.I.C.s and life annuities, and life insurance, with re- spect to farm financial planning. Many in- surance agents now have portable computers with which agents can work through various planning options with clients. There is usu- ally no charge for this advice, and farm families may well be better off if they take advantage of such services. Conservation Program Update As of the March 1 deadline, 80 applica- tions had been submitted by Perth County farmers for the National Soil Cover Pro- gram. Under the Provincial Land Stewardship II Program, over 200 applications have been submitted to date. This program continues until March 31, 1994. Global Village If the world were a global village of 100 people, • 76 would not be able to read and write • over 50 would be undernourished • of the hundred, six would own approxi- mately half of the wealth, the other 94 would share the remainder (61 would have an an- nual income of less than S500 U.S.) • 60 would live in homes made of mud or salvaged materials 70 THE RURAL VOICE • 15 per cent of all babies born would die before their fifth birthday. (thanks to World Relief Canada for assis- tance in compiling the above figures) Perth County Farm Show exhibit A tip of the hat to all Perth Federation members responsible for setting up and hosting the booth at the recent Perth County Farm Show. Attendance at the three-day show was 3,000 this year, approximately the same as the 1990 show. The Last Word A clear memory from past fairs and farm exhibitions is of parents enthusiastically directing their children to the livestock area saying "Oh, look at the cows!" or "Isn't that a cute pig." Recently at the Perth County Farm Show held in Stratford, a mother, towing her small child, approached two calves in a pen and said in a loud, dismayed voice, "That's ter- rible, just terrible, putting them in cages like that." Assuming that perception is reality, perhaps we could foster an improved under- standing of our care of animals by re -naming these variousconfinement systems ... condo- miniums. Next Meeting Perth County Federation of Agriculture monthly meetings are usually held on the fourth Thut'sday of the month. Our April meeting will be held on April 25 at 8 p.m. at the Downie Mutual Insurance Office, Se- bringvillc.0 The challenge to keep agriculture alive and well in Perth County is everyone's re- sponsibility. We farmers are all well repre- sented by the people who take the time to be involved in farm organizations, but we must remember that our own actions and deeds every day can contribute to, or diminish, the cause. Be aware of any opportunity to help educate a consumer. With more farmers working off the farm, we have more expo- sure to non -farmers. Take advantage of this chance to ensure your co-workers are in- formed about the food chain and how it affects them. Remember, agriculture is more than just an important industry in Ontario; it puts the food on our tables.0 by Matt Crowley, president Perth County Federation of Agriculture NOTICE OF MEETING Thursday March 281991 DOWNIE MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE OFFICE Sebringville 1:30 p.m. Agenda: 1:30 p.m. — Call to order — Minutes of February meeting — Treasurers report — Correspondence 1:45 p.m. — Field representative's report 2:00 p.m. — Reports from committees: Environment committee Policy & Finance committee Membership committee 2:30 p.m. — Coffee break 2:45 p.m. — Report of OFA Directors' meeting 3:00 p.m. — Commodity & Group Repre- sentatives' reports 3:15 p.m. — New business — Announcements 3:30 p.m. — Adjournment NOTE: Our annual meeting with our Members of Parliament will be held on Saturday April 6, 1991. It will be at the Gravelridge WI Hall from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We need to know who will be attend- ing this on or before March 28, 1991. To cut down on cost and garbage please bring your own mug for coffee.