Thanks to all the Executive, Directors, and the very active committees for their hard work and dedication on the many projects that were undertaken throughout the past year.
The following comments contain a few of the highlights of a very active year.
Much time and effort was spent working with the various parent groups concerning the closure of their schools in east and south Lambton. The Board of Education seemingly ignored our presentation of an alternate solution to closure of these schools. Thanks to all parents and groups for their support in this endeavour.
The two mega dumps in Lambton County are another major concern to the rural areas. Safety-Kleen has major environmental problems. Several gr9ups are working with them to resolve this potentially environmentally damaging situation. The owners of Watford Warwick Landfill site have asked for a tripling of its capacity. The Ontario government has given the owner’s permission to begin an Environmental Assessment hearing. LFA is represented on this E.A. committee.
In March, Ron Bonnett, vice president of OFA, visited Lambton County stopping at the Safety-Kleen site and Chemical Valley before meeting with groups of farm leaders at Mandaumin United Church where he discussed many issues including natural gas storage and surcharges on sewers; lunched with farm leaders in NE Lambton discussing with the Vegetable Growers what the OMAFRA cuts mean to them; visited the Bruce Miner feedlot and met area neighbours; concluding with a tour of Munro Honey where Honey Wine was being bottled. Ron attended the monthly LFA meeting and fielded questions from those present.
Many suggestions for change to agricultural practices are being presented by the provincial government. LFA presented a brief on the proposed changes to the Drainage Acts. Your Federation made a presentation on the proposed Nutrient Management Plan and Intensive Agricultural Operations legislation.
Pipelines, easements and natural ga,;3 storage continue to take much time and effort as new stumbling blocks are pfesented by multi-nationals. Your Federation participated with intervener funding on the Bluewater, Mandaumin, and Oil City Gas Storage Pools storage rights.
Your Federation was pleased to assist the Hon. Ralph Ferguson when he presented Compare the Share Revisited, an important document with information that needs to be shared with our urban consumers.
Information on the impact of agriculture in Lambton County was released in March by your federation, Dr. Cummings and Associates and Human Resources
Canada. This document outlined the importance of agriculture to the economic stability of Lambton County. A few copies are still available. Municipal Councils, service clubs and various forms of the media were presented with this information.
Lambton County Council adopted a Nutrient Management Bylaw on May 3, 2000 which marks the beginning of many changes that will be required in the production of food in our county.
Guidance was given to the revision of the LFA Constitution to make your Federation a more efficient and effective organization.
Timing of the presentation of scholarships has been changed to make them more beneficial to the recipients.
Widespread media coverage by radio, press, newsletters, editorials, TV has increased our communication to the general public and helped inform urban consumers.
The Farm Hiker Tour on Oct. 1st presented different aspects of agricultural operations to over 400 participants.
The retention of Bryan Boyle in our county has been an asset to local farmers and our organization.
It has been a pleasure for the Federation to have had a positive working relationship with the county Commodity Boards who play a significant role in the betterment of agriculture.
Thanks to everyone – executive, directors and committee members who helped in returning your Federation to a financially sound working position.
To those who are not returning to the Board this year, your contributions have been appreciated.
2001 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Lambton Federation of Agriculture. Plans are being made to recognize this occasion in late August.
It has been a pleasure to be your president this past year doing what I can to manifest the Federation mission statement in the best interest of farmers.
~Don McGugan~
President, Lambton Federation of Agriculture