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Wednesday, April 18, 2007 · Page 6 OFA president visits Essex BY ANDY COMBER Local farm leaders welcomed the president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Geri Kamenz, who toured a couple of agricultural operations near Essex April 11. "Changing consumers' buying habits doesn't happen over night," said Kamenz, speaking to local producers, including vineyard and orchard operators, at Colio Estate Wines, the first stop of the visit, hosted by the Essex County Federation of Agriculture. Kamenz said local food producers need to educate the public on the "added value" provided from foodstuffs produced by local farms and agricultural operations. "If we bought locally, we would be that much healthier," said Kamenz, noting that new research indicates some health problems, such as allergies in children, may be related to imported produce, which is not governed by the high standards found here. Jack Morris "It is an emerging science," he said. Although the growth of the local wine and greenhouse industries is helping to diversify agriculture in this region, Kamenz said more work is needed. Sixty per cent of farms in Essex County produce primarily grains and oil seeds. "When grain and oil seed prices go down, almost everyone suffers," said Kamenz, who operates a diverse farming operation near Spencerville, consisting of 850 acres of corn, soybean, small grains, specialty beans, pedigreed seed production and 200 acres of hay. The farm also produces swine stock for the domestic and export markets, as well as a purebred and commercial cow-calf and feedlot. Harrow farmer Ken Schwab said there is an initiative underway to partner agriculture with tourism, in what is known as agritourism. "Essex County is a place you can grow anything in," Schwab said, "We're starting Farmers looking for solutions, NDP leader told BY DANIEL SCHWAB NDP Leader Jack Layton told a group of disgruntled farmers outside Amherstburg April 10 that he hears their message "loud and clear" about the need for a Risk Management Program. About half a dozen area farmers criticized both the provincial and federal governments for failing to implement the program, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars annually for some struggling farms. We need the Risk Management Program desperately," said a visibly distressed Bernard Nelson, president of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture. "You've got the power to pressure the governments to make it happen. We're stuck in the middle. We need things to happen now!" Geri Kamenz, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, takes a tour of Colio Winery April 11, directed by master winemaker Carlo Negri. to have the public look at the county more." "We're pushing for an Essex County product," he said. Kamenz applauded the local effort to enhance and improve this region's agricultural industry, but noted the importance of investment by our governments and public in supporting those initiatives. "It takes more than a dream - it takes investment. Undercapitalizing is only going to succeed to fail," said Kamenz, noting the Auctions Inc. importance of garnering local support before marketing beyond the region. "You're not just making a food choice. We are the only people producing food that is safe and secure," said Kamenz. Following the visit to Colio, Kamenz visited Nickels Orchard in Ruthven and concluded at Malden Valley Farms in Woodslee, where a dinner and general meeting was held for ECFA members. 210.53 acres of farmland with buildings, seven tractors, irrigation, tomato, potato and general farm equipment Saturday, April 28 at 9:30 a.m. Selling the property of Huffman Farms, Harrow, Ontario. Sale consists of land and buildings on 49.4 acres at 1682 Huffman Rd. and 161.13 acres land and buildings at 1659 Huffman Rd. Farm machinery will be sold at 1659 Huffman Rd. From Essex Cty. Rd. 20 east of Harrow take Ridge Rd. south approx. 1 km to Huffman Rd. Or from Hwy. 3 at Essex take Arner Townline (Cty. Rd. 23) south to Cty. Rd. 20, go west to Iler Rd., then south to Huffman Rd. Sale Order: farm machinery starting at 9:30 a.m. Farmland with buildings will be sold at 2:00 p.m. Farmland and Buildings: Farm #1 - 49.4 acres located at 1682 Huffman Rd. This property has a very attractive farmhouse and other well-kept farm buildings located on it. This property will be sold separate. Farm #2 - 161.13 acres with older homes and good farm buildings located at 1659 Huffman Rd. Terms: 10% down day of sale. This 10% down payment will allow purchaser to take immediate possession of farmland for planting 2007 crop. Possession of buildings and title to farmland will be given upon receipt of final payment on or before June 22, 2007. For further details on property auction call Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561. Farmland sells subject to owner approval. Tractors (7) one w/loader: (more details in next week's ad) Case IH 7210 diesel tractor, cab, 2 wheel drive; two IH 5088 diesel tractors w/cabs; IH 1486 diesel tractor w/cab; two JD 3130 tractors; JD 2140 w/front end loader. Duals for various tractors will sell separate. Tomato Equipment: 1997 Pik Rite tomato harvester w/updates; Mechanical 6 row transplanter; cultivators and other misc. tomato equip. Irrigation Equipment: Cadman 3250 irrigation wheel; approx. 4000 feet of 4" irrigation pipe; pipe trailer; other irrigation pumps and irrigation equipment. Potato Equipment: Dahlman PH2020 potato harvester; Dahlman two row potato windrower; bulk truck loader that will wash, size and grade; 4 good self unloading potato wagons; 24' transport trailer w/21' self unloading potato wagon; four row Lockwood potato planter; potato seed cutter; other misc. potato equipment. Planting - corn and grain: JD 7000 - 8 row narrow corn planter; Kinze 3 ph 3 row male planting unit; IH model 5100 grain drill. Wagons: 5 gravity wagons approx. 225 bu.; other trailers and wagon chassis. Other Farm Machinery: IH two wheel manure spreader; IH 6 furrow model 720 plow; IH model 496 side lift 24' disc; 21' pull type Triple K type cultivator; IH 4 row flail chopper; various size cultivators; water tanks; 1976 - F700 truck; power ditcher; sprayers; etc. plus some misc. items on the wagon. Sale Order: small items including Ont. license plates back to 1919, etc. at 9:30 a.m. followed by general farm machinery, then potato equip. and tomato equip. Tractors will sell at 12:00 noon, then any equipment not already sold. Farmland will sell starting at 2:00 p.m. No Reserve on farm machinery. Terms on equipment: cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. For info call Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 www.jackmorrisauctions.com Auction Sale Wheatley farmer Joe Dama tells NDP Leader Jack Layton about the plight of local farmers and the importance of introducing the Risk Management Program. Layton visited a farm outside Amherstburg Tuesday. LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. TWO PARCELS OF AGRICULTURE LAND IN LAKESHORE Under instructions received from the Trustee for the late "Pearl Simpson Estate", we will offer by way of Public Auction on Saturday, May 5th, the following - Parcel #1 - at 10:00 A.M. at 877 Puce Rd. consists of 13.52 untitled acres with 1813' frontage with older 2 storey home and misc. out buildings and the Puce River runs along the back of this property. Great building site. At 11:00 A.M. Parcel #2 at 866-6th Concession - 85.51 untitled acres with older 2 storey home and out buildings and this property has 342' frontage with a depth of 3837' and backs up to the Puce River. Both homes are rented from month to month and are serviced by gas, water, hydro and a recent survey has been taken and is available. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: A $10,000.00 certified cheque payable to "Richard Lavin Auctions Inc." will be required prior to obtaining a bidder # and this cheque will be returned immediately if you are unsuccessful in your bid. Possession of the property will be within 30 days and there will be no conditions accepted as to financing or otherwise by you or your agent if you are the successful bidder. This is a great opportunity to own farmland only minutes away from Windsor and the 401 Highway. These properties will be sold only subject to the approval of the trustee for the estate. For further information or to view the above properties, please call: REAL ESTATE AUCTION farmer, Another Wheatley's Joe Dama, said the troubled agriculture industry is losing a generation of farmers because many young people don't see it as a viable business anymore. The Risk Management Program is the future," Dama said. "Otherwise, there is no money in it. It gives you something you can take to the bank. It is an ideal example of all farm organizations coming together and saying `we want this.' But political will is needed to do it. We've got to get on it now." The commodity specific support program would trigger payments semi-annually whenever prices for a sixmonth period fall below a commodity's selected supported price. Layton said his party has been calling for the Risk Management Program for a long time and will keep pressuring governments until it is introduced. He said his purpose in visiting with local farmers was to "get the latest information" to take back to Ottawa. "We're here to learn," said Layton, who was joined by Essex NDP candidate Taras Natyshak and Windsor-West MP Brian Masse. The latest information from the handful of struggling farmers gathered at Rod Laramie's farm appeared to be an evergrowing distrust and disappointment in government for putting a delay on the program. Layton said he recognized the severity of the province-wide agriculture crisis and said the fact that some farm families are generating a negative income is "wrong." "If we can draw attention to the public about the issues farm families are facing, maybe there will be some light at the end of the tunnel," Layton said. SEE RISK, PAGE 9 2448 Essex Road 14, Wheatley at the corner of the Wheatley-Tilbury town line Plants, Amendments Landscape Design and Consultation RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. (519) 735-3070 TECUMSEH T: 519-825-4217 www.wheatley-woods.ca