The Rural Voice, 1992-01, Page 37PERTH
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
OFA CONVENTION WAS THE BEST EVER
Even on the first day, many veterans
of numerous such annual meetings were
saying this convention was one of the
best ever. Perth County was well repre-
sented at the three-day event, held in
Mississauga, November 25 - 27. A few
impressions of the meetings follow:
Kurt Keller:
An outstanding aspect was the unity
among all members. There seemed to be
unprecedented co-operation and will-
ingness to speak with one voice.
Government representation was
very much in evidence. Both provincial
and federal politicians seem to be taking
a much keener interest in agriculture and
the business agenda of the OFA. The
politicians really are listening more in-
tently to concerns of farmers than they
were four or five years ago.
The fact that the agricultural indus-
try received the promise of $800 million
from the federal government and $35
million from the Ontario government
during a very tough year indicates that
politicians do recognize the importance
of agriculture for the good of the econ-
omy and society in general. It is also
testimony to the increased strength of
the OFA in recent years, whose lobby
PRESIDENT'
A new year and a new set of chal-
lenges awaits. We have seen a "new
world" fashioned by the events of 1991.
U.S.A.-led allied forces depleted their
military supplies in the Desert Storm
assault on Iraq. Soviet Bloc countries
fended off a coup attempt and are now
vying for independence. But that was
1991.
The prices for corn and soybeans fell
lower in 1991 than at harvest 1990. The
red meat cycle has yet to rebound. Hail
and drought were surrounded by record
yields. But that was 1991.
What can we expect for 1992? It's
anybody's guess. The GRIP and MSA
plans will have a chance to prove them-
selves (assuming 1992 is a "typical"
year upon which these formulas were
based). After a year like 1991, it is easy
efforts were vital in securing the emer-
gency aid.
Fred Jung:
Roger George's "Agenda for Na-
tional Food Security" was a highlight.
Concepts such as farming for profit —
"We want profit, not pity" (Roger
George 1991) — are important now and
will be in the future.
Educating consumers on farm issues
is also a worthwhile project. More dia-
logue with consumer groups may help.
Elmer Buchanan's call for more
farm financing to come from the private
sector should not fall on deaf ears. Rural
people used to be far less dependent on
banks than they are today. Both young
farmers starting out and older people
looking for investments could benefit.
John Drummond:
It has been said that we are where we
are in life not because of what we have
accomplished but because of the lessons
we have yet to learn. I could not help but
think about this tidbit of philosophy
during the convention. The high degree
of professionalism shown by the OFA
executive was praiseworthy. The power
of communication exhibited by Roger
George, Jack Wilkinson, Carl Sulliman
S MESSAGE
to understand why so many people say
"next year will be better." Is there any
wonder why optimist clubs are flourish-
ing in rural communities around On-
tario?
Have an enjoyable and healthy
19920.
Matt Crowley .
PCFA President
PERTH COUNTY
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
JANUARY MEETING
Thursday, January 23, 1991
Contact a Director or the Office
for time and place.
and others was truly inspirational and
seemed to present a personal challenge
to improve in such areas. Tomorrow's
farm leaders, I hope, are taking notes
from these people; today's farmers can
be proud to be part of an organization
with leadership of this quality.0
A MAN WITH A
(TRADE) MISSION
Congratulations are in order to Willy
Keller, whose vision of an international
export agency for agricultural products
came a step closer to reality at the recent
OFA convention. Mr. Keller spear-
headed the resolution to work with
governments to create such an agency.
The resolution was carried almost
unanimously by the delegates present.
This is an important step towards
pro -active marketing of our high-qual-
ity Canadian agricultural products. It
would also greatly increase the effi-
ciency of highlighting our products on
the international markets.0
REMINDER:
Membership Drive
March 2 - 13
Correction
In the November issue, when
we thanked sponsors for the
Dresden Rally bus expenses,
Ward's Farm Equipment and bus
driver Don Crowley were missed
from the list. We would like to
thank the following companies
and people, once again, for their
support.
Ward's Farm Equipment Ltd.
Mitchell Co-operative
Association
Logan Ford Tractor Sales
Ltd.
Hoegy's Farm Supply Ltd.
Logan Farm Equipment Ltd.
Don Crowley
JANUARY 1992 33