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Times Advocate, 1984-10-17, Page 101 a • e 10 Times -Advocate Oct a beer 17 1984 HEAR SPEAKER — Harry Pelissero, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture was the guest speaker at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's annual meeting. In the photo, from left to right are, HCFA president Doug Garniss of RR 4 Wingham; Pelissero, and HCFA first vice-president Paul Klopp of Zurich. Pelissero outlinesp lan to tackle new PC govit The OFA president sug- gested that the county federa- tions make their local politi- cians aware of the issues fac- ing agriculture such as a desire for affordable credit and higher commodity prices. Pelissero said the practice of informing members of parliament with successful results has worked at the pro- vincial level. He mentioned earlier OFA activities refer- ring particularly to June 19 when OFA members descend- ed on Toronto and visited their local MPP. The OFA president in- dicated that once the federal member's of parliament have been briefed on agriculture matters, OFA members may, Farmers will now lobby federal members of parlia- ment to see if they keep the election promises made to the agriculture sector. Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Harry Pelissero told the annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture that federation members can't simply go to Ottawa and demand action, rather there has to be a "build up". Pelissero said county federations have to raise issues locally. "If the issues aren't being raised locally the organiza- tion can lose credibility," he said. Canada -Ontario en masse, visit them in Ottawa. The federation will have the opportunity to get their ideas across again at the provincial level, said Mr. Pelissero referring to the upcoming provincial leadership race. The leader of the 25,000 -member strong agricultural group said he is optimistic about the business of farming. "I'm the eternal optimist", said Pelissero. He expressed confidence in the agriculture sector and said the process of educating politicians and consumers alike will win out and in the end for farmers. For Details On WINTER WHEAT Insurance After Oct. 31 you're on your own Call: Don Weigand g Dashwood Ont. NOM 1 NO 'lapAgncullure ® ovano Canada �� a acwn.. re rme NEW HEAD — The past president of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, Tony McQuail, right of RR 1 Lucknow, presents incoming president Doug Garniss of RR 4 Wingham with a president's pin. The presentation was mode at the federation's annual meeting. Ag rep wins Federation award New president outllnos major farm issues The annual Huron County Federation of Agriculture award has been presented to agriculture representative Don Pullen. Pullen, 47, of RR 4 Clinton, has served with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Huron County since 1963. He started as an assis- tant and later became an associate director. He and his wife Florence have a farm outside Clinton. His wife raises purebred Suf- folk sheep and Irish Setters. Both the Pullens were rais- ed in Perth County and at- , The readers Write Dear Sir, Surprise! Inside postal workers want permission from federal Labour Minister Bill McKnight to go on strike, possibly as soon as mid-. month. The National Citizens' Coalition believes that they should have the freedom to withdraw their labour and strike. We also believe, however, that the 1.5 million unemployed, as well as other Canadians, should be able to apply to Canada Post to work for the wages and terms which have been rejected by CUPW. Those Canadians who fill the jobs shouldn't be forced to either join CUPW or pay union dues. Additionally, we believe that federal legislation should be changed to allow free enterprise to compete fully with Canada Post. This com- petition would for CUPW members to improve their productivity and lower their sights as far as wages and benefits go. In other words, let's free up the market place and protect the individual freedom of Canadians. That's the way to get Canada back to work. Yours sincerely, Colin Brown, President, National Citizens' Coalition CORRECTION A story in last week's issue indicated that there was a three-way race for the warden's position in Huron County. Not so! There are still four candidates in the race. The story failed to note that Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell is one of the candidates. We apologize to Mr. Bell for any inconvenience the error may have created. The other candidates are Stanley Reeve Paul Steckle, Grey Reeve Leona Arm- strong and Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney. Agents For Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board Fast Efficient Service 101'R 111 ' 'JNFSS LS' GRA TI": F1 '111' 1 PPRE(7.1 TF.1). 11 T-: U 11.1..5 TRI1 'L TO 11.1.17;1117.1: 1'O1 'R REn 'RN II; 11'L IN T11E PAST. IF WE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE - CALL 1 (519) 232-4449 (519) 232-4447 24 HOURS SERVICE The Great Canadian Bean Company Inc. R R 1, Aliso Craig Ontario, Canada NOM IAO tended St. Marys District Col- legiate and Vocational Institute. In 1982, Pullen was award- ed the first every distinguish- ed extension worker award loss for words when presented from the Canadian Society of with the award. Extension Workers of which In 1978 Keith Roulston was ners include Jack Stafford, Norman Alexander and last he is a member. year's winner Murray Gaunt. the first recipient of the "I'm deeply honored to join The ag rep said he was at a prestigious award. Other win- that group," said Pullen. GETS AWARD — Don Pullen of RR 4, Clinton and Huron County's agricultural representative from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food received the an- nual Huron County Federation of Agriculture award at the federation's recent an- nual meeting. The award is presented "for outstanding contributions to agriculture". Pullen was presented with the large trophy and a plaque and his wife Florence received a floral arrangement. 'ane foal in the furrow' °Yai•� The Canadian Federation of Agriculture is in deep trouble. The provincial farm organizations in the West have collapsed and the United Grain Growers, the powerful Prairie grain co-operative, has pulled out of the national farm federation. The Manitoba and Sakatchewan provincial federations have folded and it appears the Sakatchewan group will be two or three years getting its act together to re -organize. The loss of Saskatchewan could be a mortal blow to the Canadian federation because one-quarter of Canada's farmers come from there. Although the in -fighting in Sakatchewan could go on for some time before a new organization is formed, Manitoba fanners are trying to put together a coherent group to rejoin the Canadian federation. This is in direct contrast to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. This once - moribund group has been gaining in strength and wisdom since 1970. It has been fourteen years of strong and steady. When Gordon Hill took over as president, the Ontario federation was in disarray. He gave inspired leadership for seven years and instituted direct membership. When Peter Hannam took over, the federation increased its in- dividual membership, a move that gave individual farmers a far greater voice in the organization. Members were careful aboutlwhothey elected presi- dent and their choice in 1979 was Ralph Barrie who nurs- ed the membership into becoming professional lob- byists. When he resigned, Harry Pelissero took over and built on the foundation put in place by his predecessors. In the last decade, the big lesson learned by the Ontario organization - stressed by Ralph Barrie - has been the need to become a genuine lob- by organization, able to con- front politicians in a deliberate and forthright manner. Pelissero has been a strong proponent of organized lobby- ing techniques. Under his leadership, the federation organized a big push in June when 140 federation directors visited Queen's Park and talked with urban members of Parliament. Throughout the federal election cam- paign, the federation was front and centre wherever possible with a definite list of priorities. A farm policy plat- form was formulated and all three political parties were forced to respond. So efficient was the effort that all three parties took the federation's ideas and incor- porated them as part of their own farm policies. And the federation will do all it can to see that the new government of Canada under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney fulfills the promises made during the election. The federation in Ontario has about 25,000 individual 1.,te�a .rep •et.areo Bob 7r014, ('da4 PC f.m.r. On, MJ! 1.0, members. When those members hammer out a definite platform, no politi- cian canafford to ignore such a consensus. I have suggested in this column that farmers now make up less than five percent of the population of Canada. Individually or even in fragmented groups, the clout is minimal. But when an organization with 25,000 members makes a plea, even the most callous politicians have to respond. The day will come when the Canadian Federation of Agriculture will see the error of its ways and eventually become a strong, unanimous voice for all farmers in the country from coast to coast. The long, hard work done to bring the Ontario federation to a position of prominence is an example that could be followed faithfully by the Canadian organization. Issues outlined The financial problems fac- ing farmers and the threat of Ontario Hydro lines through Huron County are two of the issues facing the Huron Coun- ty Federation of Agriculture says its new President. Doug Garniss, 34, of RR 4 Wingham, said those two issues will have to be dealt with by the federation in the coming year. He was ac- claimed as President at the federation's annual meeting. Garniss takes over from Tony McQuail, of RR 1 Lucknow who has been presi- dent for the past two years. The county president_ said the local federation will work to support the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He noted that the local federation will follow the lead set by the OFA in contacting MP's in regards to agricultures' economic woes. The question of absentee foreign land owners is a con- tinual issue said Garniss. Serving with Garniss are Paul Klopp of Zurich as firt vice-president and Eric Prescott of Grey Township as second vice-president. Six directors -at -large were also elected at the annual meeting. They are Wayne Elliott, Andy Durand, John Nesbitt, James Armstrong, Gary Baker and Mel Greig. For out -going president McQuail, it was a night of thank-yous. He thanked the executive that has worked behind him and those in agriculture who have sup- ported him. The first thank -you went to HCFA secretary Carol Finch and then to Merle and Sheila Gunby who dragged McQuail to his first meeting. PURINA CHOWS RABBIT CHOW - HORSE CHOW DOG CHOW - CAT CHOW Make Cook's your PURINA pet food headquarters. HENSALL KIRKTON CENTRALIA Hill AND Hill FARMS LIMITED VARNA ONT. BEV HILL 519-482-3218 If "Down" Corn is a Problem Our combine is equipped with a "CORN SAVER" attachment to minimize harvest loss. Per firer information call 482-3218