Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2009-01-07, Page 7.-.,,}...a.,.+A�rsyR-"',—,.:+�.++•et;.�seriw�i++=trz..: r-F.-''�" r'.'...�'Y TjY..'�{ -.... 111 News The Humnibipositerlawlaiwary 7, 2009 PagO 7 Welland resident trying to revive Junior Farmers Close to 20 attend meeting to form group for. young Huron farmers, aged 15 to 29 Dan Schwab Involvement with an agriculture based youth group drew Barclay Nap out of his shell and transformed him from a shy youngster into a civic - minded youth group organizer. The Welland County resident is now looking to share the opportu- nities he enjoyed with the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario with rural youth in regions where there currently is no group — including Hu- ron County. Nap organized an information 'light Dec. 29 at the Clinton office of OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agri- culture, Food and Rural Affairs). About 20 young people showed up to learn more about the JFAO, which has active groups in 53 areas across the province. Nap says he explained the history of the group, which started in 1944, First. flu case in young adult confirrned in Huron County The Huron County Health Unit has confirmed its first case of Influenza A for the season in. a young adult Hu- ron County resident. Influenza, or "the flu," usually comes with a high fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and head/muscle aches. Most people are sick for two to seven days, although the cough can last for weeks. In seniors and people with chronic health problems (like lung or heart disease or diabetes), influenza can lead to complications such as pneu- monia. Many people confuse other flu-like illnesses that cause coughs and snif- fles with true influenza. Influenza tends to be more serious. Influenza should notbe confused with the "stomach flu" or viral gas- troenteritis that is also common at this time of year. Symptoms of stom- ach flu usually include vomiting and diarrhea, not the breathing -related problems you see with influenza. It's not too late to get a flu shot from your doctor's office or the health unit. Once it arrives, influenza usu- ally stays around the community for 10 to 12 weeks. The bug often keeps Many children home from school and turns up in long-term care homes. The health unit recommends that people stay home if they're sick to avoid infecting others and to seek medical attention if necessary. • and about some community proj- ects he's been involved with in oth- er groups to give ideas about what could be done in Huron County. Huron has been without a JFAO group for ,six to eight years, Nap says, and it was one of a few areas he targeted to cultivate a resurgence in membership across the province. His campaign began two years ago, when he left his JFAO group in Welland County to start up a new one near Hamilton: Months later, he made plans to start two new clubs in Niagara and North Wellington. Around that time he heard there might be some interest among ru- ral youth about starting up a club in Huron County. Last. November, he began sending letters and e-mails to rural and agri- cultural groups explaining his inten- tions and asking that the informa- tion be forwarded to any potentially interested youngsters — even those not living on a farm. The group that showed up in Clin- ton last week will meet again Jan. 11 at Central Huron Secndary School at 2 p.m. for a gym recreation event, where they can play a game of volley- ball and develop fellowship among the group, Nap says. A tentative date has also been set for Jan. 18 at the Clinton OMAFRA office to hold elections to divide up responsibilities among the mem- bers. Plans can, then be made about upcoming social events, provincial gatherings and other events. Nap will also search for old club plaques among former members, to be used to reward the most dedicat- ed and volunteer -minded members at the end of the year. Nap says past JFAO members have grown up to undertake community leadership positions in such groups as the Huron Federation of Agricul- ture, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario and on the executive boards of an- nual fall fairs. "In Junior Farmers, members are learning how to do these things," Nap says. "It gives them the opportunity to develop themselves as volunteers and be put in a leadership position." One former JFAO member, Paul Nairn of Dublin, now works with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture as a member service representative for Huron -Perth. Nairn, who was a member of the Perth group in the `80s and `904, is also working to generate more inter- est in a Huron JFAO group. "For years, there hasn't been enough mem- bers but that al- ways changes," he says. "We're trying to make contacts with alumni who now will have kids old enough . and might want to join." Working for the OFA, Nairn is informed about the state of agriculture in f ADIES WINTER s:. 40-50 % OFF CEIRDMQ'S MEN'S Ft LADIES WEER 39 MAIN S1. SOUTH SFAFOH1 519527-0596 .91 oo r N 0.• t .i»ilw .«.�6eLet.`OfeYr,few#aefb4.wc'k1ae4�F7tawco...,.ia k�+y`� w Ontario today, and says it's crucial to have young people in rural areas engaged in agriculture to fill in- for retiring farmers. "There have always been commu- nity groups and clubs operating but Mine specific to this age group (like JFAO)," he says. During meetings, the group re- ceives reports on various issues in agriculture from a provincial direc- tor and regional officers. Foreign exchanges have traditionally been offered to members to visit the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Germany and other countries to learn about the agriculture industry there. The Huron JFAO group is open to 15 to 29 -year-olds. • Anyone interested in joining should e-mail huronjffljfao.on.ca. Vi NGENT- FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH 519-527-0120 EXETER 519-2352121 www.teamvincent.com • CASE 111 DaTA (Diabetes and Technology for increased Activity) Research Study Would you like to participate in the, DaTA (Diabetes and Technology for increased Activity) Research Study that will investigate how technology and physical activity can change risk factors for diabetes? Do you have any of the following symptoms: High blood glucose, high blood pressure, high triglycerides or are you overweight? If you answered yes to 2 or more of these ques- tions you may be at risk for diabetes,and heart complications. We are looking for men and women between the ages of 14 and 80 years to participate in this research study. All visits will take place at the new . Gateway Rural Health Research Institute, 4-32B Centennial Drive Seaforth, Ontario. If you are interested please contact the DaTA Study Coordinator at 5.19-685-4292 ext 42629 for more information.