The Rural Voice, 1999-11, Page 471
RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
414 807-486-3622
4mIAL • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
October 18, 1999.
It's that time of year again when we
have to prepare our surroundings for
winter. The furnace is cleaned and the
stovepipes are ready for the cozy tires
when the day's chores are done.
The days are getting shorter, but
with it comes a richness of the season.
The beautiful, crisp autumn weather
always stirs in me the urge to get so
many things done. But, we should all
take the time to enjoy the glorious
foliage that signals the season and take
a walk in the fallen leaves, listen to the
haunting cry of the Canada geese and
savour the smells of frosted leaves and
smoke -tinged air. All too soon, winter
will be upon us.
The RRFA meeting was held
October 4 at Morley with Linda
Armstrong presiding. Attending were
Dianne Vandenbrand, Wade Desserre,
Betty Salchert, Shirley Morrish,
Kristine Carpenter, James Gibson and
Rudy Sinnighe. Nominations were
discussed and each director is to make a
special effort to promote interest and
enthusiasm for a new executive. There
are 153 RRFA members in the Rainy
River District and there are only 10
people needed to make up this
assiduous organization.
Linda announced that the annual
convention is November 22-23 which
puts a cramp in travelling to Regina's
annual Agribition. But a good number
have signed up for the proposed bus
trip, which will take place from
November 24 - 27. There's still time to
register at OMAFRA for $150.
The new OMAFRA office is now
situated on the highway in Emo across
from the Emo Inn. Frances says she
feels so safe with the •OPP right next
door.
Linda read from the Economic
Impact on Agriculture Study that
Professor Cummings assured will affect
all of us. Linda would like a list of
businesses and phone numbers by the
November meeting. An example would
be truckers, banks, implement dealers,
dairies, hardware stores, custom work
operators and even businesses that are
used out of province such as in
Stienbach, Manitoba. Linda has agreed
to stand as a delegate to the position of
Provincial Director and keep things
running as smoothly as possible.
The Top Of The Line Cattle Sale
takes place this weekend at the Stratton
sales barn. Viewing is at 11:00 a.m. and
the sale is at 1:00 p.m. There are 27
listed to date. Kimio reports that she
has the catalogues made up now ready
for sale time. October 8 to 16 was
declared Canadian Agriculture and
Food Celebration Week. Our local
Agriculture Awareness Committee set
up at the Clover Valley Farmers'
Market on Saturday, October 9 to make
and sell scarecrows. We spent two days
earlier, sewing and painting the faces
and it proved to be well worth the time
spent on them. We stuffed the
scarecrows with straw provided by
Kimio at the research station.
All week, the local radio station
featured information and quizzes that
gave a broader awareness of where
their food actually comes from. Prizes
were donated by some of the vendors at
the market. District Municipalities also
declared the week to be recognized. On
a national level, one in seven Canadians
are employed within the agri-food
industry. Special thanks to the sponsors
— Rainy River Valley Meats, the Rainy
River Elk Company, Homestead Jams,
Seven Bends Honey Farm and Lowey's
Market Garden and Greenhouse. "If
you ate today, thank a farmer."
Local 4-H clubs are starting up for
the winter. season. Leaders are always
needed. Call OMAFRA at 482-2310 if
you are interested in becoming a leader
or a member. The 4-H skating party
which was planned for Saturday,
October 6 had to be postponed. The
Emo arena was in the process of getting
a new roof which delayed the ice
making. It will be rescheduled for a
later date. The regular leaders meeting
is at 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 1 at
Barwick Municipal Office.
Back at fairtime, the Hereford
Association held a "Guess the Weight"
and heifer draw. Well, Carlee the heifer
weighed in at 860 lbs. which was
guessed by Gladys (Nanny) Smith and
Earl Johnson. They split the winnings.
The draw was won by Shannon
McNabb. Someone reminded that it
hadn't been mentioned. Congratulations!
Everyday you hear more 4nd more
on the Y2K thing and how one should
-be preparing. We all have our own little
checklist I'm sure. But if you want to
call the Government of Canada, they
can be reached at 1 -800 -0 -CANADA
(1-800-622-6232) or contact the
Canada Business Service Centre
nearest you.
There are new requirements coming
up for pesticide handlers. Beginning
January 1. 2000 anyone who mixes.
loads, or applies Schedule 1, 2 or 5
pesticides must have either a Grower
Pesticide Certificate (GPC) or have a
Trained Assistant Certificate and work
under the supervision of someone with
a GPC. Details are still being finalized
on the on-farm training sessions and
examination.
There's a new National Directory
Assistance Service with Bell Canada —
all you have to do is dial 411.
The Rainy River Valley Giant
Pumpkin contest held at Rainy River
October 2, 1999 was a huge success in
more ways than one. The heaviest
pumpkin was 554 lbs. and won by Don
Cronk of Thunder Bay. He also won
the Rookie of the Year award. Don was
awarded $1,000 and the Golden Hoe
award.
A hidden weight prize went to
Corey and Haily Fehr. Best field
pumpkin was won by Kim McKenzie.
The second heaviest pumpkin was won
by Ewan Aftleck of Rainy River with a
weight of 498 lbs. Dr. Affleck is the
organizer of the festival, which has run
for five years now and he believes that
someday, the biggest pumpkin in the
world will come from the Rainy River
District. The third place went to David
Lowen of Sttatton who grew a pumpkin
weighing 412 lbs. The cold, wet.
weather slowed the growing process
this year and everyone is looking
forward to next year's event.
The Rainy River Cattlemen's
Association held the biggest sale in a
long while on October 2 with over 1500
head sold. The prices were up from last
year's sale and the weather co-
operated. Pastures were good this year
and hay crops doubled in many areas
across the district. Cattle are going into
the winter season in fine shape with
many farniers listing their extra hay and
straw for sale.
The long awaited funding has been
approved and a new ring -scale can now
be installed at Stratton Salesyard.
"Too many of us are willing to carry
the stool when the piano needs to be
moved."0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
NOVEMBER 1999 43