The Rural Voice, 1992-09, Page 72GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER ' The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
Time for farmers to unite with strong voice
Stable Funding for Ontario's
GFOs is getting closer to becoming a
reality. At a time when agriculture
needs a strong voice to spcak on
behalf of all farmers, we must join
together and unite in our support of
the general farm lobby.
The farm community is
constantly under attack from many
special interest lobby groups (i.e.
environmentalists, animal activists,
etc. etc.) These lobby groups are
extremely well funded and highly
organized. The agriculture lobby
must be just as well funded and
organized to ensure that our
governments get our message.
The debate has gone on far too
long on this issue and it is time to get
on with it. The farm organizations
should be spending their time and
resources putting together new
policies for the betterment of
agriculture rather than dragging this
debate out any longer.
There is indeed a need for a
strong general farm lobby. The main
ingredient to a strong lobby is an
adequately funded organization.
Without sufficient funds proper
research and efforts cannot be made
to have an effective lobby.
Mandatory registration allows
every farmer equal opportunity to
have input from the grassroots level.
Undcr the current voluntary system
there are many farmers who do not
belong but take advantage of
programs the farm lobby has gained
for all farmers. When the situation
arises that they are not satisfied with,
they are the first to complain and
accuse the OFA of not doing the job.
Yet, they are not willing to join and
get involved in the policy and
decision making process.
Some farmers have said they are
represented adequately by their
individual commodity groups. Are
these commodity groups
representing you on issues such as
taxation, environment, trade,
transportation, farm finance, etc.
68 THE RURAL VOICE
etc.? Usually a commodity
organization deals with specific
commodity and marketing issues
relating only to that commodity.
This is when the GFOs must
represent all farmers of all
commodities on general issues as
previously mentioned.
So I ask those opponents of stable
funding. Are we going to pull
together and support the farm lobby
or continue to squabble while our
industry erodes? Tomorrow is too
late for stable funding. Ontario's
GFOs need stable funding now
because divided we fall and united
we stand.
Ungraded Lumber
Is the ungraded lumber issue
finally going to be settled? The
recant announcements to allow the
use of ungraded lumber in farm
buildings comes as welcome news to
the farm community.
The proposal allows for the use of
ungraded lumber in the construction
of low human occupancy farm
buildings provided the building is
one storey high and not more than
6,000 square feet in area. The
maximum sidewall height would be
limited to 16 feet. The maximum
interior span would be limited to 16
feet unless engineered trusses were
used to support the roof. These
trusses could only be constructed
from graded lumber.
Individuals and groups will be
given an opportunity to comment on
the proposal early this fall.
New OFA Group Insurance Plan
The new OFA Group Insurance
Plan is now available to our
members. The new plan improves
on the previous plan and includes
some new and affordable options.
Highlights of the new plan are:
1. Optional Dental Plan
2. Personal and Family Life
Insurance
3. Prescription Drug Benefits
4. Semi -private Hospital Benefits
5. Vision Care Benefits
6. Out -of -Canada Emergency
Medical
7. Long Term Disability
For complete details and an
enrollment form contact: W. F.
Morneau and Associates, 1500 Don
Mills Road, Don Mills, Ontario M3B
3K4, or phone: 1-800-267-0097.0
George Black
GCFA President
GCFA
REGIONAL
MEETING
Wednesday, Sept.9, 1992
Markdale Legion,
Markdale, 8:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Tony Morris
OFA Executive Director
GCFA Directors'
Meeting
Thursday, September 24, 1992
OMAF Boardroom, Markdale
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to
attend
GCFA
ANNUAL
MEETING
Friday, October 16, 1992
7:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker:
Hon. Eugene Whelan