The Rural Voice, 1998-03, Page 7Grey County Forest Stewardship Network gets
results with The Rural Voice
1 71? is ttw
In 1996 38 private Land Resource
Stewardship Programs were established in
Ontario, funded by the Ministry of Natural
Resources. Each program has its own board
of directors which decides on the policies
they will work on. While the use of
agricultural lands is the focus of most
groups, the Grey County board decided to
concentrate on forestry practices and is
known as The Grey County Forest Stewardship
Network. Jim Faught is the co-ordinator of
the Grey program. He is an experienced
forester and works out of the Owen Sound
offices of the MNR.
The stewardship committee believes
that if you want a landowner to change his
`•� ways it is better to show him why than to
pass a law that forces change. As well as
farmers and their organizations the group
includes other stakeholders such as
sportsmen and tourist associations, field
naturalist clubs and conservation
authorities.
"Many of these people had never met,"
Faught said, "but when you get right down
to brass tacks, everyone wants the same
thing — to do what's best for the land."
But doing what's best for the land can
also be profitable. Economic studies show that a well managed woodlot, over time, can generate
an income of $150 - $200 per acre plus the added benefits of improved aesthetics, wind protection,
wildlife habitat and erosion reduction.
Farmers influencing other farmers is one way the program works. Workshops, seminars,
expert speakers and demonstrations also play a major role in providing new and fresh approaches
to old habits.
In Elmwood on March 28th the third Grey -Bruce Woodiot conference and Exhibition will be
held.
Following past conferences, participants filed assessment forms: one of the questions asked
was "How did you hear about the meeting?" Fifty-seven per cent, more than all other media
combined — including person to person contacts, reported that they had read about it in The Rural
Voice magazine.
"Needless to say, we're very pleased with the results of our advertisements in The Rural Voice,"
says Jim Faught.
Jim Faught, co-ordinator of The Grey County Forest Stewardship
Network says 57 per cent of Woodiot Conference participants said
they learned about it through The Rural Volce.
`KORAI, VOICE
THE MAGAZINE OF THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
Getting your
Message across!
MARCH 1 o4R 3