A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS by John C. Benham
On Friday, September 9 the next GYFP Workshop will be held in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and to be completed on Friday, September 16. Lunch and refreshment provided at no cost. This is an opportunity for you to learn about available cost share funding for improved farm business management on your farm as well as help and financial assistance to complete your succession planning. For more information and to sign up, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN by John C. Benham
If you are planning to do an EFP project in 2012, applications will be available on Thursday, September 15 in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom. It is expected that the Cost Share money will all be taken up in one day so you need to come early that day with all the information and supplies you will need to complete your application.
Another small change has been made to the procedure. When you have completed your application, your Farm Business Registration Number along with the application number will be immediately forwarded to Guelph and that places you in the line up for the Cost Share money. So it is very important to be at the OMAFRA meeting room on Thursday, September 15th earlier rather than later in the day.
If you have not completed a Program Enrolment Form please call 519-846-3394 or email me at wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org. I will forward one to you so you will complete it before September 15.
To complete your Application for Cost Share on Thursday, September 15, you need the following:
1) If you have livestock, a copy of your Premises Identification Number Certificate from OnTrace must be sent with the application;
2) Farm Business Registration Number (Farm Organization Membership Number);
3) EFP Workbook;
4) Lot, concession and township;
5) Watershed;
6) Soil type
7) Project cost and description of project
Please note: if you completed a Program Enrollment last year and there have been changes, a new one is required. For information or you have questions, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
RAMPING UP RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE from AgriLink
This commentary comes from Mark Wales, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
A choice to live and work in rural Ontario shouldn’t limit our access to the same range and level of services our urban counterparts enjoy. Ontario’s rural infrastructure is made up of basic services like health care, education and capital investments in road and bridge maintenance. Unfortunately our rural areas don’t always receive the same attention our urban neighbours do when it comes to services like emergency trauma centres, reliable internet services or road maintenance.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is lobbying the provincial government in the lead up to the October 6 provincial election for a renewed commitment to ensure rural Ontario residents have access to the range of services available to urbanites. That means equal access to quality of life services and adequate funding for rural municipalities. With this much-needed support from our government, we can build stronger rural communities and farm businesses.
Over the years, the provincial government has forced rural municipalities to shoulder an increasing proportion of the cost of infrastructure. This downloading of services has left many rural areas cash-strapped and unable to properly maintain bridges and roadways. Many municipalities are looking at expanding their tax base – sometimes in ways that are detrimental to agriculture. Municipal practices like annexing land or building lot severances can jeopardize farm expansion and normal farm practices. Development fees on agricultural buildings have also been implemented in many rural communities throughout Ontario. These new tax generating initiatives are increasing the financial strain on farm businesses, and creating a divide between farmers and their rural neighbours.
Improved rural infrastructure also means greater access to services that will increase the quality of life in rural areas. For example, reliable internet access will facilitate improved e-health and e-learning possibilities, and high speed services will improve farm business access to the world, creating further information and marketing opportunities. Health care and education provisions in rural areas can also be improved through strategically located emergency trauma centres and availability of core educational subjects in all rural schools.
Ontarians shouldn’t have to choose between a rural business and access to basic services and capital investment in their communities. That’s why the OFA is working diligently with ROMA, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association to address this issue with government and policy makers. The Ontario government must fully fund our rural communities with strengthened, equitable infrastructure programs. All Ontarians deserve access and support from a robust infrastructure system, no matter where you live.
COMING EVENTS:
Aug. 27 Tractor Pull at Grand River Raceway – (Raindate: August 28) starts at 4:00 p.m. For information call Grand River Agricultural Society 519-846-8879 or info@grandriveragsociety.com or Marlin Stoltz, 519-669-1561.
Aug. 30 Wellington County Farm Safety – regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose 519-846-5329.
Sept. 1 Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at the St. Agatha Community Center. For information, contact Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790 or email: rcresman@sentex.net .
