The Rural Voice, 1998-07, Page 55Y
1
RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture
June 13, 1998
What terrific weather we are having
— just perfect for hay and grain to grow,
and family gatherings like the one we
had here at the farm yesterday.
My mom celebrated her 83rd
birthday, surrounded by her grandkids
and great-grandkids. She was seated
graciously in a lawn chair, in the centre
of the hay wagon and was queen for the
day, as 34 members of her clan took to
the fields for an old fashioned hay ride.
Mom's never told her age and has never
boasted of it, but we're darn proud that
she's teaching her wisdom and honouring
our kids with forever happy memories.
The June 1 RRFA meeting was held
at OMAFRA with Kim Desserre, Lucy
Lahti, Don McCullough, Wayne Flatt,
Stan Armstrong, Betty Salchert, Kristine
Carpenter, Rudy Sinninghe and Shirley
Morrish attending. Bill Darby arrived
later on. RRFA membership is now 152
for the 1998 year in our District.
Kristine reported for Ag in the
Classroom. She said that the new banner
is completed and ready to use for
upcoming displays. Ontario Ag.Ed. has a
catalogue that features a number of
videos that can be purchased. School
tours hosted by Willow -Mor Farms
welcomed over 425 students this spring.
Kris also mentioned that "Pork" will be
the theme at the AITC farm booth at the
Emo Fair in August.
A correction from last month's report:
it is not the cattlemen who are sponsoring
the picnic and family funday at Caliper
Lake on July 26 at 2:00 p.m. It is the
Hereford Association. And here, I
thought every breeder was a cattleman.
"It is the little things that fret and worry
us; you can dodge an elephant but not a
fly." — Johann von Goethe (1749-1832).
Wayne reported that the cattlemen
will be having a work bee to paint the
sales barn and spruce up the yards before
the next sale. The RRCA have meetings
on a monthly basis with most of them at
the salesyard office.
RRFA presents an award of $100 to a
graduating student from each high school
in the district. The student must be
furthering his or her career and be the
child of an RRFA member: This year the
bursary goes to Simone LeBlanc,
daughter of Bob and Loretta LeBlanc of
Deer Lock Farm. Congratulations to
Simone, graduate from Fort Frances
NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Atllhk • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
High School.
Bill, reporting for the Vet Committee,
stated that OMAFRA and MNDM are
playing "pass the buck" with the grants.
Bill also asked if someone could replace
him on this committee. Kristine
volunteered to attend the meeting on
Monday at the Emo Inn. KimJo Calder
represents the unorganized areas and
Nico Veldhuisen replaced John
Vandenbrand on the Vet Committee. Bill
is deluged in other activities.
Rudy, reporting for the dairy people,
said that the hydro outage on December 6
caused a problem. A questionnaire had
been sent earlier to find a "good time" to
shut -down for repairs, but there is no real
"good time" when you're in the middle
of milking cows. It also ruins chick
hatching in incubators, and bread that is
waiting to be baked. Oh, for the good old
days when we didn't depend on modem
conveniences. There have been a number
of "power -outs" since December and not
always announced.
Kristine reported for the pasture
committee, letting us know that there are
135 cow/calf pairs and 17 breeding
females entered this season.
Bill Darby is still checking into price
quotes for the signs to be erected at each
end of the farming district. They will be
at least 12' x 20' in size and representing
all aspects of agriculture in the area.
Rainy River Rural Safety set up a
display for Family Safety Day at the Fort
Frances Arena on June 4. Free ear -plugs
were handed out as well as info
pamphlets, kids colouring books and free
draws for kids' safety features for bikes.
There is a warning out about a 3/4" - 1
1/4" clear plastic ball with a cartoon
character inside. This ball is filled with
liquid which is kerosene. It is flammable
and dangerous. You are asked to destroy
or get rid of such an item for safety
reasons.
July 22-25 is the 44th annual
Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede at
Austin, Manitoba. It features
International Harvester Farm Equipment
and takes place at the Agricultural
Museum. July 24-25 is their 20th annual
Fiddle Festival.
June 25 - 27 is the Ag Fair and
Exhibition at Dauphin, Manitoba.
July 17 - 20 is the Western Canada
Farm Progress Show at Regina
Exhibition Park in Regina.
Did you know that choke cherry
leaves will kill livestock by cyanide
poisoning — so will, on occasion, sudan
grass, sorghum, arrow grass and water
hemlock.
Dryden Ontario had their very first,
annual farm tour on Saturday, June 6. It
consisted of three different farms in the
area, and concluded with activities, crafts
and food at the Rural hall.
Rainy River Seedstock Marketing had
a meeting on Friday, June 5 at
OMAFRA. Contact people are Ken
Fisher, 482-2747; Mike Neilson, 483-
5866; or Tammy Hunsperger, 482-2581.
The main purpose or goal is to promote
locally grown breeding stock which
would be sold locally, to Northern
Minnesota, or to Eastern or Western
Canada.
A new metal roof and an entrance/exit
ramp will be constructed on the
Exhibition Hall at the fairgrounds. The
fair this year is August 13-14-15, 1998.
4-H Leaders' Association will hold
their July meeting at the food booth at
the fairgrounds on July 6. This way any
repairs that have to be made will be in
full view. A work bee will be organized
also and plans for the August fair made.
Steer and heifer clubs, horse and
conservation clubs are all up and active
in the district at this time.
Kim reported that there are 18 paid-up
booths spoken for at the Farm Progress
building for fair time. The earlier you get
your reply in the better the choice for
your display. Call Kim at 483-5412 or
Linda at 852-3645.
Information coming from the USA
that more pesticides are dumped into
swimming pools than are sprayed on
farm fields and orchards. They use it to
control algae. Homeowners themselves
also use pesticides for their lawns and
gardens, and heavy users are golf
courses. In United States there are more
swimming pools open more months of
the year than in Canada. I'm not
condoning the use of pesticides, I'm only
trying to say that it's not only the farmer
who is to blame for the misuse at times.
With all the weddings happening this
time of year, here's something to think
about — "Early love is when you love
the way the other person makes you feel.
Mature love is when you love the person
as she or he is."0
By Shirley Morrish
JULY 1998 51