The Rural Voice, 1999-04, Page 76HURON
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135 Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
County Federation o Agriculture •
•TheRuralHsprovidedroallfarmers
f Qricutureinin Huron County by the HCFA.
OFA Science and Technology Committee set up
The terms of reference adopted by
the OFA board of Directors at the
January 1999 Board Meeting spell out
the responsibilities of the Science and
Technology committee. These are as
follows:
Mandate:
To be the lead committee and gather
information from all available sources
so it is knowledgeable about. and
abreast of the rapid developments in
science and technology primarily in the
following areas:
• biotechnology
• advanced agriculture technologies
(including, but not exclusive to
biotechnology)
• food safety
• food quality
Role of the Committee:
• determine the possible or likely
effects that technological change
will have on agriculture/farmers/
OFA members
• monitor the politics of food
technology (lobby efforts)
Group seeks to impr
Huron Green Community has been
conducting energy assessments of
homes in Clinton and the surrounding
area since last October. Response has
been encouraging and feedback from
homeowners very positive.
The "green home visit" takes about
90 minutes and covers every aspect of
water and energy usage. At the time of
the visit the residential advisor provides
the homeowner with recommendations
to improve the efficiency of the home's
heating and water systems and if
required, will install energy and water
saving devices. For residents within the
target areas of Clinton and St. Joseph
there is no charge for this service.
Outside target areas there is a .minimal
fee of $25 most of which can be
realized in the installed devices.
Like most Canadians, you want your
home to be warm and comfortable, but
at a cost you can afford and without
harming the environment.
A new program called
ENERGUIDE for HOUSES developed
by Natural Resources Canada will help
you meet these goals. In just a few
hours, utilizing computer software
72 THE RURAL VOICE
• disseminate information to OFA
Board of Directors
• • help expand and develop
opportunities for Ontario farmers in
the areas of science and technology
• develop policy and make
recommendations to the board
• identify priorities for OFA
involvement in science and
technology issues
• work with existing committees and
groups to avoid duplication of
efforts
The committee has discussed how to
improve the flow of information within
the OFA while at the same time being
effective in lobbying, expanding
opportunities and avoiding duplication.
OFA should play a key role in making
sure that the membership and the Board
of Directors have access to balanced,
credible .information from which to
,make policy decisions. There was also
recognition that influencing opinion
(lobbying) must be done at every level
along the development process in order
ove home efficiency
along with an on-site inspection a
qualified energy evaluator will show
what improvements can be done to
improve both your comfort level and
energy costs. Although usually cbsting
about the same amount as a pre-
purchase home inspection, due to
National Resources Canada's
involvement, your local Green
Community is able to offer this service
at a cost of only $74.99 within the
target areas of Clinton and St. Joseph.
Outside these areas, add $25 plus travel
time and mileage, presently at $15/hour
and 30 cents/km.
To book a GREEN HOME or
ENERGUIDE visit please call 482-
3729.0
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
Email: huron@ofa.on.ca
for OFA to be effective with respect to
new technology. These efforts should
have four main benefits to OFA
members.
1. have more control over the
development of new technology for use
in Ontario,
2. ensure that members have access
to practical technology alternatives,
3. have a better understanding with
respect to the potential benefits and
risks associated with new technologies.
4. be better prepared to remain
competitive in a global marketplace.
• The committee has recommended
and received approval to become a
founding member of the Ontario
Agricultural Research Coalition
(OARC). The committee will seek
OFA attendance at, or involvement
with, various other agricultural groups
that have an interest in biotechnology
(DAFT, OACC, AgCare, National
Advisory Panel on Moral and Ethical
Issues). It will seek input on issues
from County Federations and it will
work to ensure that Ontario farmers
have the ability to choose what
technology they adopt for their farms.
Committee members are: Murray
Porteous, Chairman; Steve Johns, Vice
Chair, Huron County; Geri Kamenz;
Ken Porteous; Peter Lambrick; Bill
Mailloux - Executive Liaison; Tim
Frakes - Staff Support.0
WINNERS!
Winners of the 4 - HCFA $50 Grocery
Vouchers at the London Farm Show
are: Frank Crowley, RR 5, Seaforth;
Fred Rienk, RR 3, Clinton;
Bill Ferguson, RR 2, Hensall;
Tom and Diane Peckitt, RR 5, Seaforth.
IPM QUILT SHOW COMING
Quilt Show IPM '99 is blossoming like spring!
On April 8, 9, 10 & 11 at South Huron
Recreation Centre, Exeter you are
invited to bring your friends and neighbours to
view this colourful show of competition quilts,
quilt blocks and wall hangings galore. '
Special interest quilts will be on display while
merchants mall will lead you to "Country Cafe",
featuring Soup of the Match and homemade
desserts that will appeal to all hungry tourists.
For further information, give Dolores a call at
519-235-1027. She will guide you to the hall. A
welcome to the Quilt Show will be on the sign as
you visit Exeter for "Huron Shines in '99".