Loading...
The Citizen, 1997-10-29, Page 15PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29,1997. University studies impact of Huron County agriculture Farm exec By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff The value and importance of agriculture in Huron County should not be ignored. This was the comment made by Karen Morris, a graduate student at the University of Guelph following her presentation at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in Seaforth on Fri­ day night. Morris with Professor Harry Cummings had completed the sec­ ond stage of an economic impact study. Morris explained that her job was to take the information collect­ ed in the survey done on 221 ag- related businesses and do in-depth cases studies. During 12 of these case studies they were looking at linkages with the rest of the economy. She explained this saying that farmers, their income and farm gate sales would represent the top of an ice­ berg. Next is who inputs into the farms, the employees, automotive dealers, plumbers, etc. On the other side is farm output and how many jobs it produces. The total impact they found, Morris said, was between $2 to 2.4 billion, with 20,000 jobs,direct, indirect and induced. "From this study we learned that agriculture is the number one industry. If Huron were a province it would rank seventh in Canada. This should not be ignored," Morris said. She added that this knowledge is a good tool to induce more ag-relat- ed business. "It's pretty attractive," she said. The Huron County Federation of Agriculture elected its executive at the annual meeting in Seaforth on Friday night. From left: First Vice President Pat Down, Past President, Steve Thompson, Second Vice-President Charles Regele and President Henry Boot. Directors are: Usborne - Murton Brock, Howick - Will Stafford, Stanley - Wayne Hamilton, Goderich - John Rodges, Hay - Len Whaling, Stephen - Tom Hayter, East Wawanosh - Barry Elliott, Tuckersmith - Brenda McIntosh. Alternates are: Fred Hurn, Neil Vincent, Bob Down, Harold VanAitken and Ian Scott. Regional directos and delegates were also selected. Directors are: Beatrice Dawson, Huron South; Evert Ridder, Huron North West; Victor Roland, Huron North East. Delegates are Pat Down, Murray Dawson, Bill Wallace, Carol Leeming, Charles Regele, Neil Vincent, Don Dow, Walter Elliott, Will Stafford, Eldon Bowman. Brenda McIntosh is an alternate. TUESDAYS Finished Cattle & Cows THURSDAYS 9:00 a.m.Bob Calves Veals followed Ag. groups form env. coalition Efforts to improve water quality have taken another step forward with a meeting of several Huron County agricultural groups and organizations with an interest in the environment. The groups have formed the Huron Farm Environmental Coalition. "We will work with other groups to address environmental issues important to all society concerned about water quality," said Bob Down, president of the Ontario Com Producers Association. The group is ready to step forward and tackle water quality problems by looking at sites that are causing pollution and developing site specific solutions. "We are not a group to defend what agriculture is doing but to identify specific problem areas and solutions to the problems," explained Jack Flanagan of the Huron Beef Producers. Studies by local conservation authorities over the past several years have identified several sources of water pollution within Huron County including: improper storage and spreading of manure, faulty domestic and municipal sewage treatment systems, milkhouse waste and livestock access to watercourses. The coalition is ready to accept these findings and understand the issues of nitrates, phosphates and nutrient management have a role in water quality. "No one group can be devolved of the responsibility to help clean up their share of the problem," Flanagan said. This spirit of co-operation should enable the coalition to do much more as a group than the individual organizations could do on their own. "We are part of the larger community and are prepared to work with other groups to solve the problem collectively," said Henry Boot, president of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, the organization which called the meeting. The next step for the Huron Farm Environmental Coalition is a meeting of representatives from each organization to set more specific goals. FRIDAYS Nov. 8 Nov. 15 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. by Goats Sheep & Lambs Stocker Cattle Pigs Bred Cows Local Calves .S 887-6461 We are now ready to buy or store your 1997 National fund to support environmental initiatives The Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation is looking to provide funding support for major environmental initiatives that protect and preserve the Canadian environment. On June 24, Canada Trust announced a national source of funding, to complement its locally- based friends of the Environment Foundation Community Fund in an effort to support larger environmental initiatives that benefit the Canadian environment. The Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Canada Fund will provide up to $400,000 each year for regional and national projects in an effort to make an even greater impact on the health of the Canadian environment. This year's deadline for applications for the Friends of the Environment Canada Fund is Nov. 28. The Canada Trust Friends of the Environment national advisory board will review applications and make recommendations for funding on an annual basis. The national advisory board will announce its selection by April, 1998. The national advisory board will be chaired by Dr. Joseph Maclnnis, world renowned deep sea explorer, medical doctor and Chair of Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Friends of the Environment Foundation at 1-800- 361-5333 or visiting the website at www.canadatrust.com. • Fast Unloadloading • Accurate Probe System • Trucking Available Forward contracting of corn and soybeans. Come in and see us or give us a cail and let us help you look after your crops. MILLS HOWSON & HOWSON LTD. Flour & Feed Millers, Complete Farm Supply, Grain Elevators, Fertilizers & Chemicals Blyth (519) 523-9624 OR 1-800-663-3653 Elevators 1 1/4 miles east of Blyth on County Rd. 25, then 1/2 mile north.