Your Lambton Federation of Agriculture has again had a very busy year. Many of the activities of the year have been highlighted in the committee reports on the following pages. Some of the additional activities that we were involved with are listed below.
OFA President, Ron Bonnett, made a South Western Ontario tour in February. In Lambton, we had President Bonnett meet directly with a group of county producers and some of the LFA directors. The format of the day allowed each commodity group an opportunity to directly address the OFA with the issue that was of greatest concern to them. The day also included a stop at a maple syrup farm. Tax hikes had just been announced for this industry and this issue was addressed. A second stop was made at a Lambton beef farm situated on the banks of a waterway. The issues of BSE and fencing of livestock from waterways were both discussed at this stop.
Jim Duffy and I celebrated Food Freedom Day as guests on the Sue Storr radio show.
LFA make donations to the Ag in the Classroom program which is operating in Lambton Kent school board system.
I attended several meetings with Groundwater Protection Steering Committee in Wyoming at the County Buildings. I also attended Well Awareness meetings held in the county. Here you could learn more about well siting, construction, maintenance, and testing and source water protection.
In June we were approached by one of our members inquiring about the availability of alternative energy sources. Price increases and concerns about the reliability of hydro have created interest in considering alternative sources of energy, especially for members who are large consumers of electricity. The LFA, in conjunction with Middlesex County, organized an Alternative Energy meeting and arranged to have two guest speakers to discuss wind energy and methane digesters.
This past year, the Provincial Government was seeking grass roots feedback on planning act reform. In August, LFA hosted a meeting that included Lambton, Essex, Kent, and Middlesex Federations of Agriculture. A staff member from OFA chaired the meeting and the group reviewed the question and answer format documents. By the end of the evening, the group had completed the response and forwarded the document with the hope that our opinion would be considered in the process.
Several LFA members were in attendance when Premier Dalton McGuinty planned a visit to a Lambton County farm this summer. Some of us had hoped this would be a meaningful opportunity to have discussion about issues that concern all of us in agriculture. While there was some discussion that took place, some wondered whether this had been more of a picture session for the Premier.
At one point this past summer Lambton Cattlemen spear headed getting the commodity chairmen, Debbie Coke and myself to show Roger Gallaway through the various farm operations in his now more agricultural riding. Roger head from beef farmers, poultry, cash crop, dairy, and pork farmers. Roger was very appreciative of our efforts and thanked the farmers that took time out to talk to him.
Your LFA held a very successful regional meeting in Petrolia August 30. Over 85 people were in attendance and heard our guest speaker Murray Bast from Wellesley.
The LFA became a member of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. On November 2, 2004 Don McCabe and mark Lumley went to Queens Park with other Chamber of Commerce people from Sarnia Lambton with the goal of talking about what agriculture here has to offer and our importance. It was called “2004 Road Trip” from Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. LFA was pleased to help them with an understanding of our agricultural issues and endeavours. LFA displayed at the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce Show Case. Tm Fugard spearheaded this event with Don McGugan, Ken Dunlop, Debbie Gilliard and myself. Our presence was well received and everyone was interested in what we are all about. They are our consumers. It seemed like a good event to be at to promote Lambton agriculture.
Another popular Tax seminar meeting is getting put together by BOO Dunwoody, LFA and Bryan Boyle, OMAF for December 6, 2004.
I could go on but I think I have covered a lot of the things that your LFA have been involved in. We are glad to work with county commodity groups if we can help out. It has been enjoyable to work with your LFA board. They all have something to offer on your behalf. It is this diversity that makes our LFA board a pretty good one. Once again, I would urge you to take time and read the following committee reports that have been prepared and submitted by the committees. There has been lots of positive activity this past year.
Thank you to Marilyn, our Secretary/Treasurer and to Becky Lunn-De Wit, our field support staff person. Everyone makes each other job easier. Together we work towards “Success'”. Remember, farmers Safety, “Live with it”
~Dennis Bryson~
President, Lambton Federation of Agriculture