The Rural Voice, 1999-09, Page 86PERTH
Andy DeVries, R.R. #1, Atwood NOG 1B0 Phone/Fax 519-356-2133
PCFA Office 229-6430 Fax 229-6269 e-mail: perth@ofa.on.ca
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
• The Rural Voice is provided to farmers
in Perth County by the PCFA.
Perth Fed. of Agriculture launches agricultural economic impact study
The economic value of the
agriculture sector has often been
measured by the number of people
employed directly on farms, and the
resulting farmgate sales. The Perth
County Federation of Agriculture has
realized that these measurements do
not represent the full impact in the
County economy that agriculture has.
Many businesses purchase and sell
products and services to and from
farmers and are thus an important
part of the agricultural economy.
In addition, jobs in the agriculture
sector support workers in the service
industries such as retail, health.
education, tourisrr and government.
The Agricultural Economic Impact
Study will pull together the linkages
between agriculture and the rest of
the economy by documenting and
estimating the direct, indirect and
induced impacts.
"As an agricultural producer I buy
inputs for my farm, which gives
someone in my local economy a job"
says Committee Co -Chair Mary
McIntosh, dairy producer from
Downie ward. "And that supplier has
a job and employees who purchase
local goods and services which
supports further jobs and economic
activity" adds Co-chair Dave
Vandewalle, a hog and cash crop
operator from Hibbert ward.
The Perth Federation of
Agriculture has hired Dr. Harry
Cummings, University of Guelph
School of Rural Planning to carry out
the study. Graduate student Ari
Uotila will be working with Dr.
Cummings on this project. Dr.
Cummings has extensive experience
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
SEPTEMBER
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday,
September 30, 1999
Downie Mutual Fire Insurance office
Sebringville 8:00 p.m.
AU. MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
82 THE RURAL VOICE
in conducting agricultural economic
impact assessments, including recent
and ongoing projects in Huron
County, five Counties in Eastern
Ontario and one in Simcoe County.
He was also responsible for the recent
study assessing the impacts of
Farmers' Markets on the economy of
Ontario. Dr. Cummings and Mr.
Uotila will have the final report of the
study by March 2000 at which time
the Perth Federation will release the
results.
The Impact Study Committee has
worked very closely with the local
office of the Human Resources
Development Canada (HRDC) to
acquire funding for the project under
the Local Labour Market Partnerships
Program. John Devlin, Employment
Counsellor with the Stratford office
of the HRDC has been instrumental
in assisting the Federation Committee
with this project.
PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
Annual Meeting &
Banquet
Thursday, October 14, 1999
Downie Optimist Community Centre,
St. Pauls
Guest Speaker: Marina Schmidt
Participant in Advanced Agricultural
Leadership Program Class 7
Banquet 7:00 p.m. Cost $10/person
Meeting: 8:15 p.m.
A Steering Committee of Perth
County business representatives has
also been established to add their
support and encouragement to the
project. These members are Tom
Luckhart, Luckhart Transport:
Howard Famme, Famme & Co.; Alan
Rothwell. Perth County Planning
Department: John Bancroft,
OMAFRA, Stratford; Dave Shearer.
Perth County Warden; Bill Dunnell,
Bank of Nova Scotia, Listowel:
Lloyd Crawford. Perth County Co-
operative; Dan Brown. Stratford
Farm Equipment; Ron Ritchie,
Bridges to Agriculture, Program Co-
ordinator. Avon Maitland School
Board.
A large portion of the project will
involve interviewing businesses in
the County to determine their
dependence on agriculture.0
Perth Federation will
be at the IPM '99
The Perth County Federation of
Agriculture invites all OFA members to come
by the OFA Building at this year's IPM at
Dashwood.
The Perth Federation of Agriculture will
be the "hosts" of the OFA building on
Wednesday, September 22. Perth
Federation Directors will be on hand this day
to welcome you to the OFA building.
Throughout the week surrounding County
Federations will be acting as hosts along
with the various members of the OFA
Executive and staff. Be sure to come in and
enter your name in our draw and discuss
your issues with the OFA.O
OFA CONVENTION
November 22-23,1999
International Plaza & Convention Centre, Toronto
We are looking for members interested in attending the OFA convention for the three Regions
in Perth County. Perth North (Elma, Mornington, Wallace); Perth Central (Ellice, Logan, North
Easthope, South Easthope); Perth South (Blanshard, Downie, Fullarton, Hibbert). If you or
someone you know is interested in attending this event please call the office or a director in your
area. Three members will be chosen from each Region at our Annual Meeting on October 14.
Also if anyone has any resolutions to go to this year's OFA convention they should be sent to
the Perth County Federation office before the Annual Meeting on October 14 so they can be put
on the agenda.0