The Rural Voice, 1997-01, Page 60HURON
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
• The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
in Huron County by the HCFA.
Message from Henry Boot, Presid
As the end of 1996 approaches I
would like to take this opportunity, on
half of the directors and staff of Huron
Federation of Agriculture, to wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and a
prosperous New Year.
Many changes are in the works for
our region and province. This past year
has been very busy as we cope with the
cutbacks at OMAFRA. I hope that the
staff that was affected in some way
were able to make the changes suc-
cessfully. In many areas of agriculture
you are missed, be it 4-H programs,
dairy or whatever we are involved with.
It is very gratifying to see that the
Huron County Council has and
continues to seek our imput while
producing the new County Plan. With
the foresight of Bill Wallace and Steve
Thompson, and with the aid of OFA
Special Projects generosity, an
Economic Impact Study was done for
Huron. With this we were able to
produce information to show once
again that agriculture is the engine that
drives the North American economy,
let alone Huron County.
Since more
than 30 per
cent of the
work force in
Huron is
involved in
agriculture it
is extremely
important that
we maintain
the quality
health care
needed. Times
like these we need to pull together in
order to convince our political leaders
that it is paramount that we save our
hospitals. During the winter months it
is known that we receive a little bit of
white flurries from time to time to
hinder our travels along these
magnificent roads to get to our health
care facilities. If we lose our hospitals,
ent HCFA
Farmers need hospitals
The following letter was sent to the five Huron County Hospital Chairpersons:
Clinton, Exeter, Wingham, Seaforth and Goderich, and was also presented to Fraser
Bell, Director Executive of the Huron/Perth Health Task Force:
The Executive of the Huron Federation of Agriculture, which represents over
2,000 farm families in Huron County, strongly supports the efforts of all the
hospitals in Huron County to maintain the services now offered by these hospitals.
The following points summarize our concerns:
1. The agricultural community in Huron County represents a significant
economic presence and depends on a host of support services including quality
health care.
2. Most in the farm community live outside towns and villages, and, as a result,
distances to local hospitals is of vital importance, not just for emergency care, but
for all types of health care services.
3. Farming is, unfortunately, often a hazardous occupation, and therefore,
emergency care is extremely important to us.
4. The adverse weather conditions often experienced in Huron County make it
vital that all local health care service be maintained.
We would be pleased to answer any questions or concerns you and/or your
Board may have, and wish you success in your efforts.0
DIRECTORS SEMINAR
to be held for any New Directors or any interested parties for
Huron/Perth Federations of Agriculture at St. Columban Hall, St. Columban on
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1997
Registration: 9:30 $10.00 (Includes lunch)
Agenda: 1. OFA Structure
2. Parliamentary Procedure
3. Turning issues into Resolutions
Time: 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.
... If Interested contact Carol at 482-9642 or your local Director.
56 THE RURAL VOICE
will doctors be willing to come and
stay to work with us, when they have
to work with less than efficient
facilities to practice their trade? Rural
Ontario has to continue to deal with
this at the best of times. In Huron
County we feel that we have very
adequate facilities where the doctors
and staff enjoy their work and are
willing to come and be a part of our
community. Since agriculture has the
highest accident rate it is paramount
that these facilities remain in place.
Since the provincial government is
pushing agri-tourism, where will the
tourists, heaven forbid, if needed get
their emergency care? If no hospitals
are in the area; Will They Come?
Over the next year I see that we will
be extremely busy working with the
changes that are coming. This can be a
very stressful time but also exciting.
We should never be afraid of change
but have the courage to work with it to
the betterment of all. I look forward to
working with the many capable men
and women who have volunteered to
be the directors of your federation.
May all the work that we do be seen as
our logo states "Farmers Working for
Farmers".
May God Bless Everyone during
this Festive Season and in the New
Year.O
Henry Boot, President
Huron County Federation
The Huron County
Federation of Agriculture
wishes to thank all our members
for their support and hopes
everyone has a Happy New Year
and a safe, successful 1997!
"Farmers Working For Farmers"
HCFA OFFICE HOURS
Mondays and Fridays
9 a.m. to 12 noon
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday
Please leave a message.
(519) 482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135
FAX (519) 482-1416