The Rural Voice, 1993-12, Page 63RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
November 10 — Snow is lightly covering
the ground in our district and the cold
weather has arrived, but our area farmers
are still moving the hay crops from their
fields. It has been a difficult harvesting
season, and many of those muddy ruts are
now cultivated and only a bad memory.
The RRFA held their November 4
meeting at the Morley Municipal Office at
Stratton. New President Linda Armstrong
chaired the meeting with Treasurer Kim
Desserre, Ralph Hunsperger, Gordon
Hoskins, Jack Vandenbrand, Amos
Brielman, Shirley Morrish, Wayne Flatt,
Sue Boersma, Tammy Hunsperger, and
newly hired Secretary, Joyce Witherspoon
attending.
There are a large number of logo
stickers available from Kim; she also
mentioned that the membership totals 100
paid members to date.
The Ag. in the Classroom committee
has been presented with cheques from the
Seedgrowers and the Milk Committee to
help cover expenses in their program.
Linda Armstrong and Tammy
Hunsperger will be travelling to the annual
convention in Toronto at the end of
November.
"You're not fully dressed until you put
on a smile".
Jack Vandenbrand, reporting for the
Milk committee, said that Project 94 goes
into effect in 1994, where all the milk
producers become equal; that is they'll all
be in one pool and therefore the price of
milk will be the same ail across Ontario.
Linda Armstrong, reporting for the R.R.
Cattlemen, said the final sale of the year
was held October 23, and that the number
sold dropped from last year's sale at this
same time, the reason being good prices
and poor growing season in the District and
many cattlemen sold earlier. There were
119 head offered, half of them went to the
U.S. by way of the Rainy River/Baudette
crossing. Greater numbers would mean
greater sales and prices here can compete
with any sale in Manitoba. The new board
will decide if there are to be any changes in
the future. Everyone who buys a
membership has a say in any decision.
Plans are still in progress for the Animal
Inspection Facility at Rainy River.
The committee has received the
proceeds from the sale of a Hereford calf
which was donated by Arnold and Greg
Wager, Dyment Hereford Ranch, Dryden
Ontario. It was greatly appreciated. Money
and volunteer time are still necessary to
make this all work. Cheques or commitment
to work can be sent as a pledge to Rainy
River Cattlemen's Secretary -treasurer Beat-
rice Meyers, R.R. 2, Emo, Ont, POW 1E0.
An advisory committee has been
formed to work in a "partnership" with
OMAF. A proposal had been set up from a
group of producers' ideas last fall. Nov.
10, Pat Clysdale-Cornell chaired the
meeting at Donald Young School in Emo
and was attended by her supervisor, Dale
Bierworth, Field Service Manager from
Thunder Bay. Bierworth previously held a
position as Ag Rep in Lanark county and
also worked in Perth and Waterloo
counties. Nine community members were
elected. Tom Morrish of Willow -Mor
Farms is President, Amos Brielman of
RainyCrest Farms is Vice -Pres., Wade
Desserre of Pinewood is Secretary, Linda
Armstrong of RiverView Farms and Ralph
Hunsperger of LarKim Farm are the Area
Representatives for the organization. The
other members are Carol Angus of
Barwick, Arnold Kaemingh of Cornerbrook
Dairy Farm, Leo VanderWekken of
Stratton and Marcine James from Emo.
One OMAF staff person will be appointed.
Bierworth related several cutbacks in
funding as well as 80 staff layoffs in the
Ministry. There are 600 people managing
OMAF divisions and the cuts will affect
programs in the District. The advisory com-
mittee has been set up to provide a two-way
communication for the whole area.
R.R. District Women's Institute
Museum has closed for the winter season
with a tea and bake sale. The Museum's
latest antique in its impressive collection is
an old style movie projector. There are 800
or more Ontario branches of the W.I. and it
is the largest women's organization
promoting personal growth and community
action. The first W.I. was formed in 1897
by Adelaide Hoodless and Erland Lee at
Stoney Creek, Ontario, dedicated to shap-
ing a better world. They'll continue to spon-
sor 4-H, further scholarships and look for-
ward to 1997, their centennial celebration.
Farm Safety Association has announced
their new 1-800 number: 1-800-361-8855.
It will provide access to the association
from anywhere in Ontario.
The Clover Valley Farmer's Market is
closed for the season. Their 1993 year was
a good one,with sales exceeding their goal
of 35 per cent over 1992 sales. Nearly 70
per cent of this year's market sales were
food products, 25 per cent were crafts and
five per cent were miscellaneous products.
They learned this year that "Teamwork" is
what made it so successful. The vendors
went to greater efforts in creating attractive
displays. They helped each other set up
and carry and even brought each other
coffee. Some even shared products to
enhance each other's display. There were
60 different vendors who used the Market
as an outlet for their products in 1993. If
you'd like to be on the mailing list, call
Deb at 486-3409. Their directors meeting
is in the OMAF boardroom office on
November 29 at 7:30 p.m.
A Hay sellers list has been compiled by
John Heard of Thunder Bay. Nine
producers to date are on the list and if
you'd like to add your name, contact your
OMAF office or John, who updates the
Forage exchange list every two weeks.
"One thing you notice in middle age is that
middle-aged people are much younger than
they used to be."
National 4-H week is being celebrated
the week of November 8-14, marking 80
years of 4-H in Canada and the 60th
anniversary of National 4-H programs. A
number of activities will take place with the
Green & White colours used to promote 4-
H. The Rainy River District held their
Annual 4-H Awards Banquet on November
5 at the Emo-LaVallee Recreation Centre.
Rosie Scheibler, who participated in "Up
with People" and former 4-H member, was
guest speaker. Her message urged
everyone to "Believe in the magic of your
dreams" and "Be whatever you want to be".
She said, "Your attitude from birth
determines your outcome in life and if you
don't have a dream, you'll never get it."
Carol Angus, President of the R.R.
District 4-H Assoc. expressed thanks to the
Kiwanis Club for their continued support
throughout the years and to everyone who
supports 4-H in any way. After the
delicious banquet served by Deb
Zimmerman and her crew, awards were
presented. First-time Leader pins went to
Maureen Hill, Linda Gill, Marie Sinninge,
Mary Hyatt, Elaine Aveyard, Vicki Calder,
Judy Haney, Judy Keeler -McCoy, and
Scott McNabb. 18 -Project Awards went to
Tanya Smith and Stacey Angus. The
DeGagne Award ($100 and Trophy) for the
greatest number of points accumulated in
the past three years in calf club work went
to Susan Stafford. The R.R. 4-H Leaders'
Association/Toronto Dominion Bank award
of $100 went to Leanne Hahkala. Leader
certificates went to Sadie Smith (five
years), Ellen Chojko-Bolec and Shirley
Morris (10 years) and Eleanor Wiersema
(15 years). The evening was concluded
with skating and some great country music.
An appreciation supper for all RRFA
Directors and Spouses will be held in
December. The next RRFA meeting is
December 2 at the OMAF boardroom in
Emo. Guess who takes the coffee now?
Christmas is not very far away.
Remember, "The best gifts are tied with
heartstrings".0
Shirley Morrish
DECEMBER 1993 59