Wednesday, September 6, 2006 · Page 6 Province sets good example by Ron Bonnett, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture With farm incomes running at record low levels, farmers and their organizations are looking for opportunities and strategic investments to provide some hope. In recent months, the McGuinty government has been offering glimmers of hope to farmers and residents of rural Ontario. Premier McGuinty was in the Sarnia area recently at the official opening of a new ethanol plant. His government has made a concerted effort recently to provide some good economic news for the rural economy, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture appreciates those initiatives. There are other tools both the federal and provincial governments must look at implementing to fix the farm income crisis. Risk management programs must be implemented to protect the sector from the types of trade-distorting subsidies that have done so much damage to our farmers and the rural economy over the past three years. There have been some ad hoc program announcements that put short-term relief into the hands of farmers, but we need programs that will provide long-term protection and confidence for our farmers. Ontario's farmers were when the encouraged McGuinty government sent OMAFRA Minister Dombrowsky to the World Trade Organization negotiations; it was also good news when the minister announced plans to examine the future revitalization of the Vineland Research Station. The province has also announced special funding for local rural economic development things like 29,500 dollars for the South Huron Alliance for Retention and Expansion at Exeter, part of a 22 milliondollar investment throughout the province for rural projects. There has also been provincial investment in rural health care initiatives all good news for the residents of rural Ontario. We are encouraged by the province's efforts to spur economic development across rural Ontario, but without a long-term strategy and the necessary investment, agriculture in Ontario will not be positioned to benefit from these efforts. There are occasional rumblings that indicate both federal and provincial governments realize Ontario farmers are experiencing an economic crisis, even re-announcements of adhoc funding programs. We need our governments to act and do what has to be done before even more producers are forced to leave the business. We believe principles incorporated into the risk management program, proposed by farm organizations, would go a long way to solving much of the farm income crisis. Getting our governments to act on implementing necessary companion programs remains a priority for OFA. A specific tool box needs to be developed to solve the farm income problems: · the recent ethanol announcement starts the work on the market development side of the solution; · policies must be implemented that allow farmers to be profitable participants in new market opportunities; · competitive safety net program support is critical for development of a sustainable industry. We need action by our governments to support the industry that feeds and could fuel the people of Ontario and Canada. 4-H News: Horsin' Around BY REBECCA ROCHELEAU In July there was a meeting. I was not able to attend but was told about it and I just had to let everyone know about it. The meeting was at an Appaloosa farm in Essex County. The owner had showeneveryone his horses and his best stud on the farm. I was told that he was about 16 hands high which is very tall for an Appaloosa. The meeting ended at around 9 p.m. while everyone had a snack. On August 16, the 4-H horse interest club, "Horsin' Around", had a meeting at Murdo Mclean's home. We were split into groups to work on our presentation for the Harrow Fair. Each group will be showing examples of how to either hitch a horse, harness a horse or how to imprint a Foal. The hitching group will be showing how to hitch a horse to wagon. The harnessing group, my group, will be showing us the proper way to tack up a horse. The imprinting group will be showing us how to imprint a foal. Here's a short definition of imprinting a foal. Imprinting a foal is when a foal is just born and the owner touches his ears, his nose, everything. Our presentation was held on September 2 at noon at the baseball diamond. New assistance plan for beleaguered farmers Thanks to a groundbreaking new program, help is on the way for some beleaguered farmers coping with deepening emotional distress. Starting September 1, farm families in three test areas will be able to access AgResolve, a free, confidential service that will put them in touch with professional support. The experts will offer help with stress reduction, better relationships, improved communication, parenting skills, money management and personal debt counselling. Consultations will be available for individuals, couples, children and families. At first, the assistance program will only be available to registered farmers in Haldimand and Norfolk, Cornwall and ChathamKent. But the hope is to turn the pilot project into a province-wide initiative and perhaps even a national program. "There's a looming crisis in agriculture," says AgResolve Manager Leslie Josling. "Farm families need immediate help while governments and the agriculture sector work on political and economic solutions. "Farmers are tough and resilient and they can do just about anything with the right equipment. AgResolve will give them the tools they need to become stronger and more successful. Josling says the program's name reflects its philosophy and mission. "The resolve in AgResolve speaks to the grit and determination farmers bring to the challenges facing them, and it also highlights the fact they can resolve those challenges with the right professional advice." Designed by Haldimand Norfolk R.E.A.C.H., a rural multi-service agency, AgResolve is in direct response to a survey of Ontario farmers in which 84 percent said there was an urgent need for a free, confidential service to help producers experiencing stress. Jack Morris Household Auction Sale Auctions Inc. Exceptionally clean, well cared for items including Roxton DR set, Tools, few Antiques, China, Limited Edition Barbie's, Other Dolls, Jewelry, etc. Saturday, September 9 at 10:00 AM At 289 Notre Dame, Belle River, at the home of Mr. Edmund Mailloux who has moved to Oak Park seniors residence, selling the contents of Mr. Mailloux's home plus items from a Windsor home and from a local collection of dolls and jewelry. Items of Mr. Edmund Mailloux: Roxton Furniture: 40" single pedestal round table w/15" leaf, four chairs; 44" glass front hutch; Other Furniture: 28" corner curio cabinet; arborite table & chairs; Malcolm curved front dresser & db. Bed; antique dresser; bookcase db. Bed; desk; kitchen chairs; etc; Appliances: Kenmore fridge, Inglis 4 burner electric stove; microwave; small chest type deep freeze; Inglis washer & dryer; water cooler; Other Household & Exerciser: Nordic Track easy ski exercise machine; partial set Alfred Meakin dishes w/serving pieces; silverware service for 10 plus extras; pots & pans; misc. items; Shop Tools & Lawn Equipment: Turf Trac 5/26 riding lawn mower; good push mower; Honda EB2200X generator; Campbell Hausfeld portable air compressor; 4 HP walk behind snow blower; bench grinder; floor jack; tool box on wheels; wrenches; electric impact wrench; wheel barrow; 220 watt electric heater; CCM Grand touring bike; plus other good shop items; Items from 2532 Kildare Ave. for Mr. Clare LePage: 40" antique single pedestal round oak table with 2 leaves; 30" round pedestal table; antique dresser; beds; 3 needlepoint parlour chairs, one with footstool; 3 pc. set marble top tables; large couch & chair; kitchen hutch; sterling silver dresser set; pearl handled knives; 2 sets Rogers silver plate flatware in cases; 90 pcs. Wedgwood `Florentine' turquoise (fruit centre) china; china cups & saucers; misc. china; crystal; etc.; Items from a local Doll Collector: Limited Edition Barbie's: Gone With The Wind 4 Scarlett & 1 Rhett; 2 Marilyn Monroe w/certificates; 3 My Fair Lady; 1 Breakfast at Tiffanies w/cert.; 2 Lucille Ball w/cert.; 1 Titanic Rose w/cert.; Elvis with Barbie; 2 Coca Cola Barbie's w/cert.; 1 Southern Belle; 1 Harley Davidson w/cert.; 1 Nascar w/cert.; 1-2000 Sydney Olympics w/cert.; 8 fashion Barbie's w/cert.; Other Dolls: 3 porcelain 15-20" dolls; Santa on wood stand; 4 umbrella 15" musical dolls; Jewelry, etc.: sterling silver & pearl jewelry box; very nice selection of jewelry including broaches, clip earrings, ets, Swarovski crystal pendant, etc.; Plus numerous collectibles including snow globes, nativity figures, cherubs, pencil style figures, etc. Sale Order: starting with household items of Mr. Mailloux, followed by tools & shop equipment. Then the Kildare St. items followed by the dolls & collectibles. Terms: cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Photos & more details at www.jackmorrisauctions.com CARPENTRY SERVICES Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms and all your interior & exterior needs. STEVE WOJTALA 519-687-3955 · Comber, Ontario Jack Morris Auction Sale Auctions Inc. Three Farm Properties, Antique Tractors & Farm Machinery Saturday, September 16 Machinery at 10:00 AM; Properties at 2:00 PM For Mr. Robert McKay, 21468 A.D. Shadd Road, R.R. #5, Merlin in Chatham Kent, located approx. 2 km north of Middle Line (Kent Rd. 8). Collectible Tractors: Oliver 99; John Deere A; John Deere D; all these tractors need restoring; Farm Tractors in Running Order: Case 930; Farmall C; Farmall H; Terms on Machinery: cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Proprietor: Mr. Robert McKay, 519-354-2479 or daughter Linda Stirling, 519-674-0402 Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Photos & details at www.jackmorrisauctions.com After listening to rural families across the province, R.E.A.C.H. customized a tool kit of services with a two-pronged approach. Families seeking farmer-tofarmer support will find it through the Farm Line, a confidential, toll-free telephone support service (1888-451-2903.) But professional help will also be available from experts specially trained to meet the unique challenges faced by producers. Farmers will need only phone and ask for AgResolve in Haldimand Norfolk, the Cornwall area and ChathamKent (519-354-6221.) Funded by a two year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, AgResolve is endorsed by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the National Farmers Union. According to co-ordinator Rick Gamble, farmers are entitled to the new services. "Through employee assistance programs, benefits like these are provided to almost everyone else, from auto and postal workers to engineers, doctors and nurses," he says. "It's time agriculture was included." Maryhill cash crop farmer Heidi Wagner agrees. "As you drive through the countryside it's evident the crops are going to be of record proportions," she says. "But this adds another level of stress for the crop farmers; how to market commodities when prices are at record lows. "We're seeing many farmers plunged into debt, trying to make payments on the input costs for their crops, with no relief concerning sale prices or government assistance. The fuel, seed, fertilizer, machinery, land and drying costs are steadily increasing and yet these production costs are not being realized upon the sale. SEE ASSISTANCE PLAN, 7