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The Rural Voice, 1999-05, Page 66BRUCE 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER • The Rural Voice is provided 10 Bruce County Farmers by the BCFA. There are opportunities to invest in Ontario agriculture The Farmers of Ontario. a coalition of 41 provincial farm organizations, teamed up ti ith OMAFRA staff to develop a series of proposed actions and programs in five key areas which are compatible with the business plan of the ministry. Their report was entitled Ontario Agriculture - Opportunities for Investment in Healthy Future. The 10 -page report outlines proposed opportunities in five key areas, consisting of risk management. research and technology transfer, food safety, market development and the environment. Here is more detail on the environment area. Protection and enhancement of Ontario's rural water quality is the foundation for agriculture's commitment to the environment. With their livelihood directly dependent upon the natural environ- ment, Ontario farmers have considered respect for resources an essential component of their operations. Also, farming production efficiency and competitiveness will be increasingly measured by environmental impacts. In 1992, a proactive statement of environmental ethics was documented in Our Farm Environmental Agenda and subsequently transformed into a set of rigorous, industry -wide farm production practice standards through the Environmental Farm Plan. Together with supporting legislation, Ontario agriculture's rigorous voluntary environmental standards constitute a world class system for managing risks and ensuring safe, high quality food and agricultural products. Ontario agriculture is well- positioned to take advantage of consumer preferences to products originating from environmentally sound operations. Actions initiated by Ontario farmers for protecting and enhancing soil. water and air resources have created significant opportunities to expand the agri-environmental technology and information sector. Ontario has developed a reputation as a world leader in on-farm environmental management, an image that can be effectively utilized in marketing specific products. The Environment Working Group has proposed the introduction of a Rural Water Quality Initiative to meet the opportunities in environmental management and technology transfer. The components of this program include: Gasarama raises money for agri-food education A very successful "Gasarama" was sponsored on Saturday, February 20, at the UPI Inc. and North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc. in Hanover, to benefit Ontario Agri -Food Education Inc. (OAFE) and the Grey and Bruce Counties Agri -food Awareness Committees. UPI donated $5.00 from every gas fill up at the FS Store in Hanover between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. North Wellington Co-operative Services donated $1.00 for every 40 kg bag of water softening salt or block/bag of livestock salt sold that day at the Hanover FS Store. As well M & M Meats, Hanover donated food for a barbecue. Hamburgers, hot dogs, coffee and juice were served with the proceeds also donated to OAFE. Dignitaries present for the event included Eg Segsworth, OFA President; Barb Fisher, Bruce MPP; Dr. Reg Cressman, Executive Director, Ontario Agn-Food Education; Carolyn Feurth, OAFE Board of Directors; Bill Chamberlain, General Manager, North Wellington Co-operative Services; Robert Sicard; President and Chief Executive Officer, UPI Inc.; and Bonnie Holiday, CKNX Radio personality. Volunteers from the Grey and Bruce Federations of Agriculture, and Ag Awareness Committees greeted customers, distributed OAFE literature as they filled up their vehicles, and served the food. A total of $1,579 was raised: $789.50 for OAFE and $394.75 each for the Grey and Bruce Agri - Food Awareness Committees for their programs "Grown in Grey" and "Roots of Bruce". The work of Ontario Agri -Food Education and local agricultural awareness volunteers is vitally important to help Ontario's two million primary and secondary school students appreciate the impact of agriculture in the lives. The Grey and Bruce Federations would like to thank UPI Inc.; North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc.; M & M Meats; volunteers, dignitaries, and all the customers for a very worthwhile and fun event. It is only by working together as a united agri-food industry that we can build awareness of our business with the citizens of tomorrow.0 62 THE RURAL VOICE • financial incentives to farmers for the adoption of best management practices for soil, nutrient and pest management. Cost effective structures and practices will be the priority area for funding • applied research to enhance the feasibility of new technologies at the field level • a series of site-specific projects will demonstrate and test new innovations within various farming systems • communications and promotions for increasing awareness of technical advances to the agricultural industry. •. advisory services through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs • a state -of -the -resource inventory to measure Ontario's progress in protect- ing and preserving natural resources The total cost for the Rural Water Quality Initiative will be approximately $117 million over five years. On April 7 and 8 in Walkerton the education experience Roots of Bruce was put on by the committee of volunteers that is part of the Bruce County Agricultural Education Council. This is the fifth year for this very successful event. Over 1,000 Grade 5 and 6 students from 30 schools took part. Over 100 volunteers each day helped to make it happen. Fifteen commodities were represented. This is a fantastic way to educate future consumers and probably some producers as well. The children certainly seemed to enjoy the experience. Three members of the executive are retiring this year so they are looking for people who would be interested in keeping this very worthwhile event going. If you're interested please call Fran Farrell at 395-5628.0 — Submitted by Rick Robson BCFA Second Vice PLEASE NOTE: Bruce County Federation of Agriculture BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING FOR MAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED Next meeting will be June 28, 1999 at the OMAFRA Boardroom, Walkerton at 8:00 p.m.