The Huron Expositor, 1995-03-15, Page 58Page 40 -Farm Progress '95'
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Environmental message
given to PEI farmers
by Roger George
Prince Edward Island farmers
have turned to Ontario for help in
solving their farm environmental
problems.
Roger George, president of the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
(OFA) was the keynote speaker at
an environmental workshop held
recently in Summerside PEI. He
told the PEI farmers that "Ontario
farmers have the best environmental
agenda in Canada, and we're
delighted to be able to share it with
other provinces."
George was invited to PEI to
explain the history of, and to out-
line Ontario's Environmental Farm
Plans (EFP), a proactive farmer -
driven initiative that's been deman-
ding attention around the world.
"We have had requests for infor-
mation on EFPs from the U.S.,
Europe, Africa and Asia," George
said. "Ontario farmers have set an
environmental standard for the
agricultural industry that surpasses
anything any other sector has
developed."
(t
George stressed the importance of
agricultural environmental
initiatives to future trade
negotiations. "Through the
implementation of EFPs, Canadian
farmers can position themselves to
be on top of future trade deals by
being known as environmentally
conscious producers," he said.
He congratulated PEI farmers for
their interest in developing an en-
vironmental program. He also
warned them that recent federal
budget cuts could not be allowed to
effect adaptation programs neces-
sary for farmers to implement long
term environmental change. "We
must be diligent in educating all
levels of government to the ground
work farmers are doing in environ-
mental areas to ensure our
contribution to a healthy, thriving
Canadian economy," he said. "Cu-
tting cash transfers is one thing, but
farmers can not allow their hands to
be tied by government practices that
haven't caught up to the forward
thinking actions of our farm com-
munities."
You can be a crime stopper
Farms can be tempting targets for
thieves. Most farmsteads arc
relatively isolated. In many
situations, neighbors may be a mile
or more away.
Vehicles, fuel and livestock are
frequently stolen from Ontario
farms. Vandalism can result in
major damage to property. While it
is not possible to completely protect
your farm against such activities,
you can take steps to discourage the
criminal element.
Make your property less inviting
1. Good lighting will discourage
criminal activity --thieves naturally
prefer the cover of darkness. A
well -lit farmstead is especially
important when you are away.
2. Lock doors when you're out.
Also, don't leave keys in cars,
trucks, or tractors. Some crimes--
e.g. teenage "joyrides' --would never
happen if they weren't so easy to
commit.
3. Use secure locks on tractors and
other powered equipment. While
hot-wiring a tractor is easy, there
isn't much point if the steering
wheel is rigidly chained and pad-
locked.
4. To make fuel less accessible,
lock delivery nozzles, supply valves
and remote electrical pump
switches.
5. Neat, well -organized storage
areas let criminals know that you
would be quick to detect any theft.
6. Post a notice to advise criminals
of special security measures, such
as alarm systems or identification
markings on equipment. (Most
thieves prefer to commit low risk
crimes!)
7. Take a careful look at your
operation to see where you are most
vulnerable. Your local Ontario
Provincial Police detachment should
be able to help with such an as-
sessment.
8. Consider joining a citizen's
crime prevention group if one exists
in your area. Strong community
organizations of this type dis-
courage criminals.
Crime detection
1. Keep accurate records of what
you own, and where items are
located. That way, it will be easier
to tell when something's missing.
2. Apply identifying marks to your
equipment and other property.
Police can provide advice, along
with the necessary equipment.
3. Make sure shipping and receiving
tickets are accurate and complete.
When a shipment is received, check
the ticket to detect errors and shortages.
4. Take the "back way" to town
occasionally, to keep an eye on
parts of the farm where you haven't
been lately.
5. Report suspicious activity or a
suspected crime immediately. The
police have little chance if the trail
is cold before they learn of a crime.
Follow through
1. If you are a crime victim, be
willing to sign a complaint and
testify in court.
2. Make the necessary records
available to police to prove owner-
ship of stolen goods.
3. When purchasing something
valuable, demand a written bill of
sale that indicates buyer and seller
by name and address. It should
include a complete description that
specifies serial and vehicle iden-
tification numbers for mobile equip-
ment. (Ont. Farm Safety Assoc.)
•
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John Stafford
is community
minded man
•from page 32
includes community roles such as
coaching baseball and hockey, and
serving on the local arena board in
the 70s and 80s, as well as cur-
rently playing on a local baseball
team.
But Stafford's involvement on the
Soybean Board is actually one of
his most recent endeavors. He was
first elected committeeman in 1988,
and then in 1993 became director of
the newly created District 8. -
Stafford sees the board as
working to set a series of directions
through a time of fast -paced
change. He supports that approach.
After all, when he looks out his
window now, he sees red deer, not
the Holsteins he saw as a child.
When he heads to the field, it's to
plant soybeans, not field corn.
"Ontario has got a terrific
reputation for producing quality
soybeans," he says. "That's a good
start, but it's not enough. We have
to keep adapting to market oppor-
tunities, and the board is in an
excellent position to help us as
growers to do just that." (Ontario
Soybean Newsletter.)
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