The Rural Voice - November 2024

The

Rural Voice November 2024

THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE ... $3.50 PM 40037593

URBAN ROOTS LONDON Anna Badillo reconnects consumers with their food

PROTECTING GROUNDWATER Rural landowners work to protect drinking water for the next generation

SEEDING WITH DRONES Cover crop seeding moves to the next level at Huronview Demo Farm

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125 NATURE HOT SPOTS IN ONTARIO Expanded and updated, this book features the best parks, conservation areas and wild places. For birders, botanists, wildlife lovers, rock hounds and naturalists, it gives a fresh look at destinations that have made Ontario famous. $29.95

QUILT YOUR STORY Turn favourite t-shirts, uniforms and clothing into a memory quilt. You will find over 22 projects which include how to deconstruct and prepare your fabrics and what tools you’ll need to sew your new creation . $26.99

300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS A great soup nourishes the soul as well as the stomach. This book offers an incredible variety from traditional comfort food to exotic taste sensations. Recipes for everything from stock to meat, fish and vegetable soups. $27.95

The Old Farmer’s 2025 Almanac This 233rd edition aims once again to fulfill your expectations with its fun facts and forecasts. Also includes news, novelties and a little nonsense to carry you through another year. $9.99

125 NATURE HOT SPOTS IN ONTARIO 300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS BACKROADS OF ONTARIO THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC GARDENING CALENDAR QUILT YOUR STORY THE OLD FARMER’S 2025 ALMANAC HOW TO RAISE A READER BARNYARD BATH

Qty.

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC GARDENING CALENDAR 2025 The Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Calendar spreads BACKROADS OF ONTARIO gardening joy at every turn of the TH 6 EDITION page. Each month of this 2025 From afternoon outings to edition features the stunning weekend excursions, this latest illustration of an edible or ornamental edition features 33 backroad accompanied by mini-feature adventures, each illustrated with captions that include growing colour photos and accompanied guidance and fun facts about the by a map. $29.95 plant shown. $12.99

HOW TO RAISE A READER This book shows you how to instill the joy and timestopping pleasure of reading.

Divided into four sections, from baby through teen.

Beautifully illustrated. $29.95

$29.95 $27.95 $29.95 $12.99 $26.99 $9.99 $29.95 $12.99

Total

Total for Books Shipping & Handling $9.00 Canada Post Fuel Surcharge $4.00

Subtotal 5% GST on Subtotal Order Total

BARNYARD BATH! This bath book and washcloth set from bestselling and beloved Sandra Boynton is the perfect tub time diversion for little ones who love barnyard animals! $12.99

Send cheque or money order for full amount to: Books: North Huron Publishing P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or call and pay by credit card 519-523-4311 MAIL BOOKS TO: Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc.

Please refer to current issue for correct figures. Incorrect payment will delay delivery.

Shop

GRANDMA WISHES Did you know there’s a special wishing star that only grandmas see?

Every time a new grandchild is expected, their grandma has special hopes and dreams for her new little love. This book shares that love. A wonderful keepsake for a grandchild.

Padded hardcover book. $14.95

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The Rural Reading Room Specializing in Rural Living & Local Authors

A MOOSE IN A MAPLE TREE If you want to give someone a unique Canadian take on the 12 Days of Christmas this book will do it, with everything from salmon leaping to mounties and beavers building. Beautifully illustrated. $19.95

GRANDPA’S WISH LIST A grandpa has lots of special wishes for his new grandchild.

Most of all, he wishes to share moments and make memories together. A wonderful keepsake from grandfather to grandchild.

Padded hardcover. $14.95

EVERYONE CAN COOK FOR CELEBRATIONS Eric Akis provides simple festive dishes that can be made in advance with little to no fuss, guaranteeing that you won’t be stuck in the kitchen while the sound of your guests’ laughter drifts in the from the other room. $24.95

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON STUART MCLEAN THE FIRST CHRISTMAS ON THE Busy Tractor VINYL CAFE ON CD FARM With lots to see in Busy Tractor, children THE FARM NEW from the Vinyl Cafe!

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GRANDMA WISHES GRANDPA’S WISH LIST A MOOSE IN A MAPLE TREE EVERYONE CAN COOK FIRST CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM BUSY TRACTOR TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM STUART MCLEAN (CD) THE VINYL CAFE

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$14.95 $14.95 $19.95 $24.95 $11.99 $13.99 $16.50 $19.99

Total

Total for Books Shipping & Handling $9.00 Canada Post Fuel Surcharge $4.00

Subtotal 5% GST on Subtotal Order Total

Send cheque or money order for full amount to: Books: North Huron Publishing P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or call and pay by credit card 519-523-4311 MAIL BOOKS TO: Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc.

Please refer to current issue for correct figures. Incorrect payment will delay delivery.

Contents The Rural Voice THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE

Published monthly by: The Rural Voice, Box 429, Blyth, Ontario, N0M 1H0 Telephone: 519-523-4311 Fax: 519-523-9140 E-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca Website: ruralvoice.ca

20

Publisher: Deb Sholdice

30

24

Columns

NOVEMBER 2024

Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Keith Roulston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Kate Procter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Jeffrey Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Mabel’s Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Woodlots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Agrilaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Departments Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Ruralite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Business Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Newsletters

National Farmers Union . . . . . . . . . .58 Perth Pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Bruce County Federation . . . . . . . . .60 Grey County Federation . . . . . . . . .61 Perth County Federation . . . . . . . . . .62 Huron County Federation . . . . . . . . .64

• Cover Photo

Anna Badillo of Urban Roots Photo by Jeff Tribe

Editor: Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot rveditorlisa@northhuron.on.ca Contributing writers: Keith Roulston, Kate Procter, Jeffrey Carter, Gary Kenny, Rhea Hamilton Seeger, Donna Lacey, Melisa Luymes, Carolyn Crawford, Bonnie Sitter, Jeff Tribe

• Deadlines: Dec. Issue – Nov.5

Advertising Sales: Shelley Kroes rvads@northhuron.on.ca

20 Urban Roots

Production co-ordinator & Telemarketing: Joan Caldwell

January Issue – December 9

Small-scale farm teaches students and urban dwellers how to grow their own food

24 Protecting Karst Aquifers

Farmers and rural residents work together to safeguard groundwater

30 Cover Cropping With Drones Drones plant a cover crop of oats into standing soybeans at Huronview Demonstration Farm

34 Welsh Agri-Academy

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40037593 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 429, BLYTH ON N0M 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca Subscriptions: $30 (12 issues) $55 (24 issues), includes HST Back copies $3.75 each.

Make cheques payable to: NORTH HURON PUBLISHING CO.

Twelve young Welsh farmers tour southwest Ontario farmers

44 Dahlias for Days Showstoppers of the garden, dahlias do need some over-winter help

46 46 Years on the Job Bruce County Federation of Agriculture honours Allan Smith at their annual meeting

All manuscripts submitted for consideration should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial content may be reproduced only by permission of the publisher. The Rural Voice makes every effort to see that advertising copy is correct. However, should an error occur, please notify The Rural Voice office within 30 days of invoicing in order to obtain a billing adjustment.

A division of North Huron Publishing Company Inc.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Feedback Letters to the Editor: The Rural Voice, P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 rveditorlisa@ northhuron.on.ca

We are confident you will make

VW plant is being built on 1,500 acres of farmland

MORE PROFIT growing De Dell seed corn.

Vince Trudell, President

Dee D Dellll S Seeds d

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2 The Rural Voice

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To the Editor: In the latest issue of the Rural Voice magazine , a letter from Calvin Schmidt to the editor has some misinformation in it.

The VW battery (North American EV battery cell gigafactory) plant is being built on 370 acres within a 1,500 acre industrial complex which was farmland bordering Highbury Ave, Ron McNeil Line, Yarmouth Centre Road and south to the railroad tracks north of Talbot Line.

This large property on the northeast side of St. Thomas has had most of the wood lots cut down and much of the topsoil piled up.

St. Thomas annexed this above property from Central Elgin in March 2023.

The former Ford property north of Talbotville now has an Amazon fulfilment plant built on it.

We can see the Amazon plant from our farm. The VW plant is about three miles to the east.

Hope this clears up the location of the future VW plant. ~ Karen Auckland RR#6 St. Thomas

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November 2024 3

Celebrating 4-H! Become a Leader Age 18

Looking for 4-H Alumni to join your local 4-H Association Bruce: brucecounty4h@gmail.com Grey: greycounty4hsecretary@hotmail.com

Welcoming Cloverbuds (ages 6-8)

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Proud supporters of 4-H

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4 The Rural Voice

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Ruralite

“

We’re really working to promote and educate around the importance of growing our own food and learning those agricultural skills. Urban Roots allows the community to know how their food is grown. ~ Anna Badillo. See page 20.

Will Rogers’ Quotes

”

● Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. ● Being young is beautiful but being old is comfortable and relaxed.

•

Harvest Tip #79 Life goes on. If you have someone in your life that keeps all the wheels turning – especially during high stress times – caring for youngsters and oldsters, feeding everyone, paying the bills, doing the chores, buying the groceries, providing encouragement, covering any and all emergencies…. make sure to give them an extra hug and let them know they are appreciated.

- Kate Procter See page 10

November INSPIRATION

“The wind that makes music in November corn is in a hurry. The stalks hum, the loose husks whisk skyward in half-playing swirls, and the wind hurries on... A tree tries to argue, bare limbs waving, but there is no detaining the wind.”

- Aldo Leopold

•

Neil’s One-Liners (Wisdom from McGavin Files)

“ If everything seems to be

going well, you obviously don’t

Queen of the Furrow

Taylor Legge, Ontario’s Queen of the Furrow from Bruce County and Rachel Gras, a runner up from Huron County.

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know what the heck

•

is going on”

November 2024 5

Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Lisa B. Pot is editor of The Rural Voice, and farms in Huron County

A fond farewell What is a farmer, really?

That’s a question I’ve been exploring the past 10 years as editor of The Rural Voice.

Some might say anyone who makes their living farming but I think the answer is far broader than that. It’s not just people who own a farm ... it’s people who engage in the aspect of agriculture.

I did a story once on a farm labourer who had worked on a farm without owning land for over 40 years. He didn’t have to worry about farm financials perhaps, but he raised livestock and tilled soil alongside the owner. He was a farmer.

I’ve done stories on women who created profitable community supported agriculture (CSA) gardens.

They had tanned arms, soil imbedded under their nails, business acumen and soil smarts. They were farmers.

The men and women who retire after selling their farm to sons or daughters ... they attend the meetings to learn and share knowledge, hop in the tractor during planting season and babysit the grandkids. They are still farmers.

How about the ones raising 12 beef beef/dairy calves and selling meat via online sales...farmers? Yep. And the beekeepers, tree nurseries, agri-tour operators, berry producers? All farmers.

Then how about me? When we meet someone new and they inevitably ask what we do (note: a better question is “So, what’s on your mind?” — you get such cool answers), I have always said “I’m a farmer and editor of The Rural Voice.”

Part of me, however, felt like a “fake” farmer. I once owned a dairy farm where I milked and fed cows, did the books and made executive decisions. I was a “legitimate” farmer.

Now, I own land but I sharecrop it. I keep animals but mostly as a hobby. I 6 The Rural Voice

hatch chickens and sell eggs, but just to a few friends. I had bees but I harvested honey for personal use and as gifts to friends. I garden extensively, but also only to feed my family and the pollinators.

Am I really a farmer?

I think its an important question to ask for the next 10 years will bring more farm consolidation but also dreamers and doers who hunger to work even just five acres. BOTH will thrive in a new era of feeding a full world that needs massive amount of food from traditional farmers but also the products from experimenters who learn new techniques to maximize profitability on a smaller footprint.

Farming is a passion. It’s a belief that working the soil and caring for animals is purposeful and essential in the grand order of things.

I LOVE soil. Love it. The mystery of all those microrganisms is fascinating while handling it feels like life. Potential. Magic. I may take care of less of it than before, but I still do.

In this way, I am a farmer.

The creatures in our care don’t thrive on a careless fork of hay or scoop of grain. They need watching. A trained eye notices the slight limp, the dull coat or eye, the messy feathers, the decrease in egg production, the lack of vigour. The care of animals by keeping a clean environment, harvesting (or purchasing) quality feed and respectful handling is a core value and daily practice. In this way, I am also a farmer.

Financial and business skills also play a role. Farmers are businessmen, balancing income to expenses, making timely investments and always, always keeping a reserve for the misfortune about the happen. I waited years to

afford a new fencing system to be able to rotationally graze my three horses to improve their diet and the pasture. It was an investment in the animals and the property. In this way, I am also a farmer.

Have I convinced you? Have I convinced myself? For next month, I will no longer be an editor and I will need to redefine who I am and what I do. It will be a process and one I am excited about but also wary of, because our culture rewards those who have a title and looks down on those who do not.

I don’t want to lose the title of farmer. I am PROUD of it. Proud to have met, interviewed and written stories about so many of my fellow farmers during this 10-year tensure.

It has been my pleasure, truly, to meet you all and share your stories. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity and I say goodbye on a high of connection with so many amazing humans.

What makes it easier is that I’m passing this role onto Melisa Luymes, who comes from a family farm! Melisa is an agriculture advocate, a committee leader, an exceptional learner and this girl has a voice! I can’t think of a better person to take my place.

Please welcome Melisa as you welcomed me and share your stories with her ... because we who call ourselves farmers have an incredible breadth of knowledge about soil, animals, production, accounting, climate change, crops, adaptation, technology, family, life balance, mental health and community.

And The Rural Voice has been sharing these stories for almost 50 years.

Rock on RV... I will miss you. ◊

DL Distributing Dave Mustard 519-794-3334 Authorized Dealer

Tough on Winter, Easy on You

Email: dlmustard2@gmail.com 556735 Strathaven Road, Chatsworth, ON

Celebrating 4-H! Become a Leader Age 18

Looking for 4-H Alumni to join your local 4-H Association Bruce: brucecounty4h@gmail.com Grey: greycounty4hsecretary@hotmail.com

Welcoming Cloverbuds (ages 6-8)

Perth: perth4-h@netflash.net Huron: huroncounty4h@gmail.com.

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Proud to be a 4-H Alumnus!

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We support & encourage 4H HURON COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE 519-482-9642 ofahuron@tcc.on.ca www.hcfa.on.ca

Celebrate 4H Join a club today!

November 2024 7

Keith Roulston Keith is former publisher of The Rural Voice.

He lives near Blyth, ON.

Mind your own business As I write this column, our neighbours to the south are approaching their presidential election in November with analysts suggesting it’s too close to call.

A while back, however, Democratic Party Vice-Presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz, current Governor of Minnesota, said something that struck me as a true rural resident‘s statement. “Even if we wouldn’t make the same choice for ourselves,” he said, “we’ve got a golden rule: mind your own damn business.”

As someone who has spent all but a few years of my life living in the country (I’m approaching 50 years in

our current home) it’s a golden rule I’ve lived by. I have no idea how any of my neighbours feel about our Prime Minister as an election seems possible at any moment. I’d have had no idea about how neighbours felt about getting vaccinated during the Pandemic if a young man who used to visit my own young lad many years ago, hadn’t made the news for attending the blockade of Parliament Hill and been quoted in a farm paper.

The diversity of opinions in one neighbourhood was made clear to me when I was young and growing up on a farm north of Lucknow where, as often was the case, we had a Farm Forum, based on the Farm Radio Forum that played most weeks in the winter months on CBC radio.

In Farm Forum, the organizers chose a topic each week and had presenters discuss the topic and then had questions to be discussed and answered in each of the hundreds of Farm Forum groups across Canada.

Secretaries would record the consensus of the group and send it in to Farm Forum headquarters where the results were tabulated and later

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Within our neighbourhood, where we still worked together and had things like threshing bees and woodcutting bees, there were still surprising differences of opinion, even when we weren’t discussing political subjects. As a kid listening on the steps to the bedrooms upstairs on nights when my family played hosts, I could hear voices getting louder as they discussed the details of topics. Yet by the time the night ended, people were friends again as they settled into playing cards (“Shoot” in our neighbourhood) and finished the evening with lunch.

As people got television, they resented missing the programming for Farm Forum night and eventually the organization behind the show gave up. But years later my wife Jill and I briefly owned The Teeswater News and we were surprised that one farm forum still existed locally. We learned that the neighbours there had been too divided by the discussion that they’d long ago given up on that, but still liked getting together for cards and lunch.

Periodically I get a request to support a radio program that repeats the Farm Forum recipe in rural parts of Africa and we always send money.

We don’t get together in our neighbourhood the way we did back in the days of the Farm Forum. Most things have changed, but people keep trying to drag us back to those days.

There’s a movement to tell people what books they are allowed to read in some states in the U.S. right now, with hundreds of books defined as not worthy. Some years ago a then neighbour of mine tried to get some books taken out of school libraries, including classics by Margaret Laurence and Margaret Atwood.

Opponents of book banning in the U.S. often quote from the televised version of Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale in which women are kept around only to have children.

People need to be reminded by people like Tim Walz to “mind your own damn business”. We have elections that allow us to secretly say how we feel, the rest of the time, like that Farm Forum near Teeswater, we can keep things to ourselves.◊

Celebrating 4-H! Become a Leader Age 18

Looking for 4-H Alumni to join your local 4-H Association

(ages 6-8)

Bruce: brucecounty4h@gmail.com Grey: greycounty4hsecretary@hotmail.com

Perth: perth4-h@netflash.net Huron: huroncounty4h@gmail.com.

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nu-maticbrian@outlook.com numatic.ca November 2024 9

Kate Procter Kate farms, hikes, canoes, and plays guitar in Huron County.

Kate’s harvest tips #75 to #79

D

etermining which season is more stressful – planting or harvest – has been a discussion topic over the years. For me, this changed when we improved our grain handling system, which has made harvest much less stressful. But there is one day, every year, when planting and harvest happen on the same day. High Stress Day brings it all together with about 100 wheels turning at once and one big stomach knot of “I hope I didn’t forget anything”.

This year, it happened on October 3, which already takes the stress down a notch because this is relatively early, but not too early. For anyone who doesn’t grow winter wheat, it is usually planted after harvesting some type of bean. Beans are a tricky crop to harvest because the plants get damp after the sun goes down and require a bit of drying time to get going in the morning. As I have learned the hard way, using a

draper head is awesome because no matter how damp the beans get, it will keep feeding them into the combine. The downside of this is that instead of refusing to go into the combine the way they did with our old head, they sail right on in and plug up inside the combine. This is a much bigger deal, and results in a lot of unhappiness and usually some cursing. But it does give you something to do with those three hours you would have had the next morning waiting for the beans to dry.

I usually think that bean harvest is the break-in period for the big show, corn. Corn harvest has a few more moving parts because it all must go through the drier. If the harvest is going right, the sun does that job for beans. So I get a gentle reminder of all the things about the combine I forgot in the past 11 months and some new things I had not learned yet. As I write this, I am in the small window between bean and corn harvest and have had a chance to put together some harvest tips, continued from other years.

Harvest Tip # 75: Check the bin.

Again. Take the extra five minutes, open the doors and look inside. This year, there was a big fat raccoon running around in Bin 3, which had already been swept and checked weeks earlier. This leads to Kate’s Critter Corollary: Any critter that gets into your grain bin and dies, will die over the unload hole, or

eventually find its way there, blocking all movement of dry grain.

This usually happens on the coldest, windiest day in January when everything is frozen and covered with snow. You are probably already late trying to load your grain because you had to spend two hours blowing snow. Check the bin before dumping anything in.

Harvest Tip #76: Check the bin doors. Do not get distracted – make sure all the inner doors on your bins are closed tight. Do not trust the innocent-looking closed outer door.

Harvest Tip #77: Expect the weird. If any glitchy thing is going to happen, it will be on High Stress Day. This year our phone line with only a printer connected decided it was also stressed to the point where it needed help and started calling 911.

This resulted in multiple police checks. By the time High Stress Day rolled around, we had already had four OPP wellness checks by 9 a.m., and one we weren’t even sure about because it happened between midnight and one in the morning, when everyone was asleep. We were picturing some well-meaning officer tiptoeing into the bedroom and tucking everyone in after giving the stressed-out and underused printer a gentle pat. I think perhaps the definition of irony is having a communications company that cannot communicate with any more accuracy than … “service technician

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will repair between eight a.m. and six p.m.” Really? You couldn’t just shoot us a text when you are 10 minutes away so we could arrange for someone to be there? No. And, don’t expect that repair to be reported either – four days later, another repair person showed up wanting to comfort our now quiet printer.

Harvest Tip #78: Take care of your diet. Not just what you take into your body, but also what you take into your mind. Pack a healthy lunch, with lots of water. A game changer for me has been noise-cancelling headphones. I load up some audio books, podcasts, my favourite music and turn the radio with its constant advertising and endless news repeats off. Having a mental diet that is positive and teaches me something helps keep my mental space a happier place to be and lets me deal with the minor stresses in a better way.

Packing your brain with negativity and eating junk is the same as fueling your combine with sugar or forgetting to check the oil. Take the same care with yourself as you do with your machines.

Harvest Tip # 79: Life goes on. If you have someone in your life that keeps all the wheels turning – especially during high stress times – caring for youngsters and oldsters, feeding everyone, paying the bills, doing the chores, buying the groceries, providing encouragement, covering any and all emergencies…. make sure to give them an extra hug and let them know they are appreciated. Maybe even do something special when things calm down to make sure they know that. ◊

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Jeffrey Carter Jeffrey is a freelance journalist based in Dresden, Ontario.

Municipal governance matters — let’s take care of our own backyard

I

f we are to have honest governance in Canada it must necessarily begin at the municipal level. If we cannot manage to positively influence municipallyelected officials, how can we impact affairs within the province, nation, or even dream of influencing the world beyond?

Municipal governance matters. It’s our own backyard.

As a young journalist, I covered municipal councils, school boards and even indigenous affairs in several jurisdictions in Alberta and Ontario. I remember in one small town in

Northern Alberta, a town councilor by the name of Dido who would drone on and on about some inconsequential point until being cajoled to cease his rambling, on one occasion with words I will not repeat.

At what was then commonly known as the Four Bands just south of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, a troop of reporters descended upon the community to cover a controversy of some kind – I never did learn what the fuss was about – and were greeted by some of the locals, one of whom seemed intent upon taking a notebook away from another young reporter, prompting me to grin, announce my intention to leave their affairs in their obvious capable hands, and walk away.

In Wetaskiwin itself, I covered the school board, the county, and city meetings. The city seemed to run admirably well while the county politicians appeared secretive, leaving council chambers to make decisions of any controversy matter.

For the most part, however, both in Alberta and back in Ontario, it seemed the world of municipal governance was reasonably well managed, operating in a transparent manner for the most part.

In the last few years, unfortunately, a new trend has

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emerged. Elected officials continue to be elected but at times they seem more concerned with the interests of developers as opposed to the communities they are theoretically intended to represent.

The location of the battery plant at St. Thomas is one example, a project resulting in several hundred acres of prime farmland being lost. Another is the industrial development proposed in Wilmot Township in the Region of Waterloo. Landowners are being told they face expropriation of their farming properties even though the reason why remains unclear.

Closer to home, uncomfortably close, less than a mile away from Dresden in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, is the site for the proposed York 1 recycling center and 80-foot-tall landfill. Thanks to the diligence of local journalism, it was revealed that members of ChathamKent’s administration and its elected officials, including the mayor, had knowledge of the project well in advance. Perhaps as early as 2019.

Yet when the company officially announced its intentions earlier this year, they insisted that they, like the community, had been blindsided.

Chatham-Kent’s Code of Conduct for its elected officials includes the following general principles: “Members of Council shall uphold a high standard of ethical behaviour to ensure that their decision-making is impartial, transparent and free from undue influence; and Members shall refrain from engaging in conduct that would bring the Municipality or Council into disrepute or compromise the integrity of the Municipality or Council.”

Transparency, it seems, is more of an aspirational goal than a reality in municipal governance in Ontario these days.

The next set of municipal elections are now less than two years away. I am hoping more of those eligible to vote will do so and, more importantly, take the time to actually consider who they will be voting for.

Municipal governance matters. ◊

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Mabel’s Grill The world’s problems are solved daily ’round the table at Mabel’s Grill.

“I

hate to see all the beautiful leaves fall from the trees,” Cliff Murray said the other morning as the guys gathered at Mabel’s Grill. “Soon they’ll lose their colour for another year.”

“I don’t mind leaves on the ground,” said George Mackenzie, “it’s the ones that clog eavestroughs on our house that get me.”

“Have you not seen the ads on TV for the companies that put covers on your eavestroughs?”

Molly Whiteside said as she delivered menus to the table.

“I have, and I actually called them up to get a quote and for that price I can climb a ladder for a few more years,” said George.

“I don’t know, that’s a tall, twostorey house you have and you’re not a kid anymore,” warned Dave

Winston.

“Yeah but for that price I’d have a good piece of a downpayment for a new tractor!” George exploded.

Seeing George’s mood Molly tried to change the subject. “I bought the kids a pumpkin that they can carve for Halloween,” she said.

“We don’t get kids for Halloween at our place,” Dave said. “They all go to town these days so at our place pumpkins get spared.”

“It used to be when I was a kid that we grew a few hills of pumpkins for Thanksgiving pie and jack o’lanterns at Halloween,” George said. “We save the work now that the supermarket has big bins of them.”

“Yeah, it’s become a business, growing them now,” Cliff pointed out. “City people make trips to farms that have acres of pumpkins.”

“Do you get pumpkins for cooking?” Dave asked Molly.

“I gave that up long ago,” Molly said. “It takes too long, especially when you can buy pumpkin canned. that’s ready to use in a pie” “Just shows that people have more money than brains” George growled.

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Seeing the kind of mood George was in, Molly quickly took the guys’ orders and headed back to the kitchen.

“How’s the corn harvest going?”

Cliff asked Dave to change the subject.

“Oh, it’ll get done,” Dave replied.

“We always get something, even in those early winters when we have to finish combining in the spring.”

“Thankfully most of my corn goes in early for silage to feed the cattle,” George said. “Good to have the worry over early.”

“Except my wife hit me up the other day with a whole list of things to be done – put away the lawn mower until spring, and all the garden tools, the hoes and rakes and so on,” said Cliff.

“Well, that’ll miss all those scammer calls, like the people claiming to be Bell Canada, as if they’d use a recording to contact you,” grumbled George.

“I’ve had those, and the ones saying somebody is trying to take money out of your bank account so they need your account number so they can prevent it, when they’re trying to clean you out,” said Cliff.

“It’s so depressing that there are all these people who could easily make a living in an honest way who try to scam you instead,” sighed Dave. “What’s the modern world coming to?”

“That kind of person has always been there, they just change their methods,” George growled. “My grandparents used to tell about the fortune-tellers who used to show up at local fall fairs and cheat gullible people. Then my parents used to get travelling sales people who used to prey on gullible people.”

“What’s this about gullible people?” wondered Molly when she brought back their full plates.

“We were just talking about all the calls you get from scam artists these days,” Cliff told her.

“I’ve had those,” said Molly. “I tell the kids not to answer the phone anymore because they might say something those guys could use – as if I had enough money to worry about. The poor suckers are wasting their time on me unless you guys improve your tips!.” ◊

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November 2024 15

Viewpoint Mel Luymes is an agricultural & environmental communicator.

Her website is headlands.ca

Concerns over South Bruce DGR run deep

I

’m late to the game, I know. By the time you read this, the date for South Bruce’s referendum on hosting a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for spent nuclear fuel will have passed. It was agreed that the referendum needed more than half of the residents to vote in order to decide, otherwise council would make the decision on their behalf.

Regardless of how the vote went, the 5,500 residents of South Bruce still need to live with each other.

With such a critical decision on their hands, perhaps it was inevitable this was going to divide the community. For those that may have been living under a rock (and I don’t blame you!), I don’t have space here to outline the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and their 10-year process that decided on a DGR and another 10 years engaging potential host sites.

You can read that for yourself at www.southbruce.ca/DGR or www.nwmo.ca.

The NWMO has been engaging stakeholders and doing geological exploration in South Bruce for over 10 years. The plan in question is to spend the next decade designing (2025-2035), then excavate hallways 1,400 feet deep, below the groundwater zone, karst and shale layers and into solid bedrock (20362042), in which robots would be placing geosphere containers (20432092). Spent nuclear fuel pellets 16 The Rural Voice

would be kept in their bundles, stored in a large copper coated tube encased in bentonite clay inside a rock geosphere. After another 70 years of monitoring, the site would be decommissioned over the next 30 years, bringing us to the year 2192.

I can’t even comprehend this expanse of time. The engineering team is building for forever, essentially. They are designing for a time when humans are extinct from this planet, to carry the weight of the next few Ice Ages. It is hard not to be emotional when we consider the project and its potential for future risk.

South Bruce residents that voted in favour of hosting the DGR believe the NWMO is putting community safety above all else, and they feel that the thousands of local jobs created, and millions invested in their community, will ultimately benefit South Bruce residents.

However, many residents instead voted no, over concerns of community safety and the belief that the NWMO had manipulated the decision-making process itself. At a Protect Our Waterways-No Nuclear Waste event in early October, Dr. David Suzuki received an uproar of applause when he suggested that the DGR be built where most of the cheap power is going, under the city of Toronto.

Like an iceberg, conflict runs deeper than the issues that lie at the surface. Often, we argue only from our surface positions (for or against the DGR, in this case), and it is easy to dismiss those with the opposite opinion as either uneducated or evil.

This is even more tricky when the issue is extremely technical and requires a degree in nuclear science to understand it. South Bruce’s Willing to Listen group (whoever they are) state on their website that they offer “Facts Not Fear”. With just that phrase, they have positioned themselves as correct and any other side as irrational and emotional. Yes, they may be scientists, but clearly not social scientists!

Polarizing into sides is human nature, I get that. We feel safer in our tribes when there is an easy enemy as

our target, but it didn’t help the community of South Bruce.

Something more interesting happens when we move below the surface of a conflict. (And I’m taking this from a Foundations in Understanding Conflict course I took at Conrad Grebel University College, developed by Credence & Co.) First, we can explore not the what, but the how. I don’t know how exactly the community consultations unfolded over the last decade, but many at the anti-DGR event did not feel that their concerns were being acknowledged and they felt the big nuclear money had bought off the South Bruce Council. As well, attendee Dr. Erika Simpson, political science professor at Western, argued that it was undemocratic that 5,500 residents were deciding something that could have a tremendous impact on surrounding communities, and across Canada and the U.S. as well.

At this point, we’re not debating science, we’re talking about fairness and transparency of the process – and that is a different conversation altogether.

Then there are the deeper levels that we can try to understand each other from, and those are our shared needs as humans: Belonging, Meaning, Recognition, SelfDetermination and Security. When we get triggered and argumentative, it can be because we don’t feel safe or that we don’t feel we have control or choice over what is happening to us. It is completely understandable that people on all sides of the South Bruce DGR issue have felt that their basic needs have been being threatened.

If South Bruce residents or council voted yes, it still needs to go to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and the NWMO. And if they voted no, then the decade-long engagement process is now over and there will be no DGR in Southern Ontario.

Either way, there is an emotional fallout and a divided community around South Bruce that will need some long-term mending. A sense of belonging, to place and to community, is a foundational human need. Now, the clean-up process. ◊

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Join us for Christmas In Bayfield November 15 - 17 Friday 7pm Lighting of Clan Gregor Square Saturday 11am Parade; Santa in the square following Saturday & Sunday - Carriage Rides in town Entertainment all weekend!

Up to date info at villageofbayfield.com Shopping all season long!

Come to the Annual Wroxeter Parade

Woodstock Santa Claus Parade

Teeswater Christmas Parade

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Saturday, November 16

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 6:00 pm Also, visit Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the Lighting of Museum Square on Friday, November 15, 5:30-7:30 pm www.cityofwoodstock.ca/specialevents for full event details

Enjoy the

Friday, November 22 Following the parade at the Wroxeter Hall join us for a visit with Santa for all the children and musical entertainment for the whole family provided by “Lost Highway” with an open bar.

Theme: I'll be Home for Christmas Route: Main Street, from Duke Street to Seaforth Legion Santa will meet with children at the Legion after the parade

The Hall Board thanks the many local businesses and community members for their donations towards the parade and the treats for the children.

Lucknow Santa Claus Parade

Lions Club of Wingham Santa Claus Parade

Friday, November 29

Saturday, November 30

Downtown at 7:00 pm

11:00 am

Sponsored by Lucknow Kinsmen and Lucknow and District Chamber of Commerce

18 The Rural Voice

Seaforth Lions Club’s 37th Illuminated Santa Claus Parade

7:00 pm

Anyone interested in taking part in the parade contact: Tony Clark 647-221-6226

Meet with Santa, Christmas treats and free skating at the Lucknow Arena after the parade

Starting at south end of town and travelling north Organized by Kinsmen & Agricultural Society Floats will be judged.

Free Public Skating 6:30-8:00 pm Come out and enjoy a great Parade and visit with Santa

Friday, November 22

6:30 pm.

Theme: Superhero Christmas

5:30 pm

Parade starts at Wescast Community Complex Register at winghamparade@gmail.com for details

Clinton Kinsmen & Kinette Santa Claus Parade Friday, December 6 7:00 p.m.

Bring the family out to the Annual Santa Claus Parade.

Bill Meyers 519-440-8808 Susan Meyers 519-525-6280 sandbmeyers@gmail.com

Chesley Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade Friday, December 6 7:00 p.m.

Come out and enjoy the floats and festivities as Chesley welcomes Santa to town.

Hanover Rotary Santa Claus Parade

Brussels Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 7

Saturday, December 7

7:00 p.m.

Main Street, Hanover

5:00 pm

Theme: Canadian Christmas

Parade will line up at the BMG Arena between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm ~ No registration required

Sponsored by the Chesley Kinsmen Club.

Theme: Olde Fashioned Christmas For more information visit EVENTS at rotaryofhanover.ca

Meet and Greet with Santa after the parade at the BMG Community Food will be available for purchase

Blyth Christmas Parade

Non-Motorized Holstein Santa Claus Parade

13th Annual Shakespeare Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 14 11:00 am Gather on main street to meet friends, neighbours and Santa Floats welcome, email for an entry form blythcommunitybetterment@gmail.com

Saturday, December 14 1:00 p.m.

The Holstein Santa Claus Parade Committe welcomes you....

Meet and greet with Santa after the parade at the Egremont Optimist Building For more information contact: Manda Boychuk/Bender 519-323-7688

Saturday, December 14 1:00 pm Photos with Santa and other children’s activities to follow parade.

All parade participants are welcome, no registration fees required. www.facebook.com/ShakespeareMensClub for the parade route and activities.

For more information contact Barry at 519-276-9849 or email: info@shakespearemensclub.com for details.

Chatsworth Santa Claus Parade Saturday, December 21 Theme.... “A Retro Christmas” 10:30 am Parade begins at the old Chatsworth Community Centre.

Activities continue throughout the day as we celebrate with Christmas in the Village.

For more information, or to register a float, contact Sharrie 226-974-0334 sbrickonelderlane@gbtel.ca

November 2024 19

Food

Growing connections at Urban Roots • By Jeff Tribe

Urban Roots works to promote and educate students from the city how to grow their own food Co‐op student Julia would rather be outside, weeding carrots than in a classroom. She works at Urban Roots, a small‐scale, non‐profit, social enterprise model farm in London. It’s goal is to educate and teach students about growing their own food.

W

ith a father who grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, sisters in Brooklyn and Harlem and a brother in New Jersey, Urban Roots London Executive Director Anna Badillo’s background is as “urban” as it gets.

Her own rural roots run deep in the tomato, zucchini, pole bean and cucumber seeds her great-grandmother brought from Italy in 1935 to plant, nurture and harvest in a new world. But it was a connection that had been made distant both by time and lack of experience. Badillo discovered the disconnection when she attempted to grow seeds from her grandmother and aunt Marina in Canadian soil.

“I took on this ‘Farmer Anna’ persona,” Badillo smiled, a persona that did not translate into a bountiful harvest. In fact, she even failed at growing basil, her aunt’s baseline benchmark.

“I was, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a loser,’” Badillo laughed.

She was not the first “farmer” to experience disaster.

But Badillo was also among those who didn’t give up, doubling down on her determination to learn combined with a willingness to put in the time and effort required to bridge her own urban/rural disconnect.

“I keep many basil plants alive now,” she smiled, their productivity testament to “so much work, so much learning and trial and error.”

20 The Rural Voice

“And now, I love it,” added Badillo, who has found more than fresh, healthy produce in the journey. “It’s been a whole passion lifestyle, and a career for me too.”

Badillo’s personal experience could be considered a metaphor for Urban Roots, an organic “city farm” tucked close by the intersection of Highbury Avenue and Hamilton Road in London. Four busy lanes of north-south traffic along Highbury might be an unusual backdrop for a field of vegetables, but it does highlight the operation’s innovative approach to urban agriculture.

Badillo considers Urban Roots a farming operation, first and foremost.

“It’s just small-scale farming.”

A wide range of fresh, seasonal items are grown on one acre of Urban Roots property under Director of Farm Operations Ben Wilcox with the help of Canada Summer Jobs employees, co-op students and volunteers. Spinach and kale are the first plants to go in the ground in the spring, Badillo says, followed by a seasonally-appropriate succession. The property also has two high tunnels and hoop houses, offering operational space for winter cultivation.

It’s based on a non-profit model, supported mainly by grants and fund-raising activities rather than for-profit sales.

“The farm” targets a one-third/one-third/one-third

approach, namely the goal of eventually reaping enough profit from selling one-third of its produce to subsidize offering the second third of its produce to social enterprises and neighbourhood individuals at a reduced 50 per cent rate, and donating the remainder to community charitable organizations.

Urban Roots produce would never go to a farmer’s market Badillo emphasizes.

“We would not want to undercut the farmers and the hard work they do.”

However, offering vegetables for sale to local restaurants, through the on-site Urban Roots market, a 12share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pilot project, or seedling sales in May and June provides an element of selfsustainability.

“That wholesale tier is just to help us support ourselves and not solely rely on grants.”

Urban Roots also brings a strong element of social enterprise to the table, striving to grow community and build relationships and knowledge around the value and practices of food production.

“We’re really working to promote and educate around the importance of growing our own food and learning those agricultural skills. Urban Roots allows the community to know how their food is grown.

“You also have the opportunity to come here and experience the process.”

Like Badillo, a significant majority of Canadians continue to be further and further removed both generationally and physically from agriculture.

There is an understanding in the rural community that most “city folk” have no idea how their food is produced.

“And they’re right,” says Badillo, adding that produce is often seen as something that just shows up in a store, in a package. “This allows people to learn skills and build skills.”

Urban Roots donates seeds in the spring to various organizations promoting growing one’s own produce, as well as skills-building volunteer and employment

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opportunities. London youth sourced through the Canada Summer Jobs program gain access to agricultural skills and training, says Badillo, and whether or not they consider a career in that field, find the experience fulfilling and enjoyable. Beyond supporting the Urban Roots mandate, volunteers also build a practical knowledge base to grow their own vegetables.

“You can gain those skills and still live in a city,” she said. “So it’s kind of like going back to your roots, urban roots.”

Downtown Londoner Zach Small’s deeply-anchored concrete roots have sprouted a little rural understanding through his connection to “the farm.”

“Farming is a humbling activity,” he summed up. “But it’s very rewarding.”

The opportunity represents a convergence of factors for Small, an affinity for food – “mostly vegan” – and learning how to grow it, enjoyment in being outdoors, and community involvement supporting community well-being.

“You put the effort and love in,

22 The Rural Voice

and the earth provides,” said Small, strongly aligned with Urban Roots’ regenerative, organic practices, and the concept of selling nutritious

produce below cost to those facing financial or food insecurity or both.

“So it’s available and accessible.”

“The Farm” also provides an

Top: Urban Roots London offers volunteer opportunities for those looking to contribute to its mandate, or gain their own agricultural skills.

Bottom, left: Urban Roots London has a cooler storage unit, to keep produce fresh for sale at its on‐farm market.

Bottom, right: Zach Small “irrigates old school” at Urban Roots London.

urban-rural hub, connecting “townies” on an elemental level with the process of food production. Julia, a co-op student from a high school within the city does come from a cash-cropping family, “mostly corn and beans” but understands her opportunity represents a minority position.

“If you are living in downtown London you’re usually not going to get a job on a farm.”

Julia would much rather be outside, “learning and doing” instead of stuck in a classroom, and feels city dwellers could also benefit.

“Giving opportunity to people who don’t have that.”

A cursory glance from one bearing even the most rudimentary understanding of rent, machinery, input, infrastructure and labour costs – and the razor-thin margins which drive agriculture to get bigger and bigger – results in the thought the operation would be challenged to “pencil out” in a traditional way.

However, elements of a more holistic and complicated accounting for urban farming’s value are embedded in Small and Julia’s responses.

Large-scale farming is crucial to feeding the nation and the world, agrees Badillo, and operations like Urban Roots will not replace that.

However, she does believe they can be part of the larger picture, providing community education and value well beyond their yield, while concurrently helping bridge the rural/urban divide.

Even small-scale farming is a bigtime commitment, a big-time challenge. And while Badillo’s personal growth was fostered by her ancestors and aunt, Urban Roots reached out to Common Ground Farm, Market and CSA in St. Thomas who graciously responded with “a lot of knowledge sharing and support.”

“We needed that rural connection to be able to start this off.”

But Badillo also believes largescale farmers may be able to appreciate the value in the approach her organization takes.

“I think what they can learn from us is that small-scale farming does have a purpose and does have a place,” she concluded with a smile. ◊

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Groundwater

Protecting karst aquifers Farmers and rural residents work to safeguard groundwater • By Mel Luymes •

N

ear Lion’s Head, Finley Finley Cameron Cameron looks on as his cattle (right) keeps his gather at the large round trough cattle out of Judges in his summer pasture, just steps away Creek by watering from the banks of Judges Creek, now with a large, round fenced off. In the past, it was common trough as part of his for cattle to drink at the cool spring-fed goal to protect the creeks on the Bruce Peninsula, but all karst aquifer. that has changed. Livestock watering systems like Cameron’s are the new normal on the Peninsula, as farmers work to protect their karst aquifer.

Cameron notes that the cattle much prefer the trough, it is easier for them to drink from. Partnering with the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, with help from local and provincial funding, farmer investments in alternative as layers of sponges filled with water. These sponges are livestock watering systems are protecting not only surface permeable layers of gravel, sand or rock through which water, but their groundwater as well. water slowly moves, held by more impermeable layers of About 100 kilometres to the south, in the small town of rock or clay. There are other types of aquifers in which Ayton, residents have been decommissioning their old water is held in small fissures within the bedrock itself. wells. Without municipal utilities, all residents are on Deep underground, aquifers are genuinely mysterious, private septic systems and wells. When their wells dried up but many Rural Voice readers, like Finley Cameron, will and they needed to drill deeper, Ron Pfeffer was one of the find themselves living on the most curious of all, a karst many residents with abandoned wells on his property. bedrock aquifer. While any aquifer can be vulnerable to Working in the livestock industry, he was aware of contamination in certain places, karst is unique and can be potential groundwater contamination and didn’t think twice quite vulnerable in certain areas. about hiring a licensed contractor to decommission his old What is karst? wells. For him it was about peace of mind, and he was even To understand karst, we need to go way back to a time able to access some cost-share funding from the local that southern Ontario was covered in shallow seas. The Source Water Protection Region. remains of sea creatures and coral became layers of Rural residents in Ontario depend on private wells for limestone and dolomite rock, and as the seas disappeared, their water; it is often the only water source on a property. they left the rocks exposed to rain. Being slightly acidic Thankfully, most will have access to clean water beneath due to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the rains began to their property, but this makes it all too easy to take our slowly wash away the softer limestone layers of this drinking water for granted. sedimentary rock. Over time, it carved (and is still While some might picture aquifers as underground lakes carving!) vertically and horizontally, creating an in giant caves, it would be more accurate to imagine them underground maze — sometimes as large as rivers and 24 The Rural Voice

caverns – through which groundwater flows. In some cases, these caverns destabilized the rock above to collapse and form larger sinkholes.

There are examples of karst aquifers around the world and many in parts of Ontario, but perhaps the most fascinating and beautiful example is the Niagara Peninsula, where its rock layers and caves are visible for all to explore. The Niagara Escarpment stretches from what is now upstate New York to Niagara Falls, up through Ontario, across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and down to Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Escarpment formed because the rock layers gently sloped towards the middle of the old sea, and a more resistent layer (a bathtub ring of sorts) formed a cap that protected the softer layers underneath.

Glaciers sculpted the rest of the landscape, grinding, transporting and depositing it in various places across the province as they advanced and then melted into our Great Lakes.

The sediment the glaciers left behind we call glacial till. This is a layer in the soil profile in which rocks, gravels, sands, silts and clays are all mixed together, unsorted. While wind and water will sort soils by their particle size, glacial till looks like a dog’s breakfast and it is still compacted from the weight of a mile thick ice sheet. This till is a restrictive layer in the soil, which creates and protects aquifers, and is also the reason much of Ontario’s soils are classified as improperly drained and required tile drainage systems in order to be farmed.

But just because much of the older karst landscape is covered in soils (or “overburden”), doesn’t mean it isn’t down there . In some places there are tens of metres of soils and sediment protecting the karst aquifer from what’s happening on the surface. But in other places, there may be only a few feet, or inches, if that. And that’s where things get tricky.

Farmers on the Bruce Peninsula know it well. Karst is close to the surface there and can swallow a stream whole; surface water disappears into the ground like into a

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storm sewer, only to resurface a few kilometres away.

Surface water can become groundwater and vice versa. And travel times of groundwater flows through karst aquifers means that water quality can change quite quickly, so these areas require an extra level of precaution.

Protecting drinking water For some, May of 2000 will seem like a lifetime ago, but for many Rural Voice readers the Walkerton tragedy will still hurt like it was yesterday. Lest we forget, or for our younger readers, an improperly treated municipal well was contaminated by intense rains that followed a spring manure application. Half of the town got sick from their tap water, and seven people died. It was a literal watershed moment that forever changed the way we think about groundwater in Ontario. Within a few years, we saw the introduction of four new pieces of legislation to protect public health.

First, the Safe Drinking Water Act implemented strict drinking water standards and greater authority to provincial inspectors, along with mandating training, accountability and public transparency.

Next, the Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act mandated municipalities to assess full costs for water and sewage services, so they couldn’t cut corners on public safety in order to buy votes. Third, the Nutrient Management Act set guidelines for storage, handling and application of manure and other nutrients, requiring many farms to create a management plan or strategy to eliminate overapplication.

Lastly, the Clean Water Act mandated the protection of municipal water sources, creating protection zones and involving local stakeholders. It created Source Protection Authorities and initiated Source Protection Committees in 19 regions of Ontario that roughly follow watershed boundaries and work closely with Conservation Authorities. The Act appointed Risk Management Officials (RMOs) who co-develop Risk Management Plans with property owners within protection zones.

The Grey Sauble Risk Management office is located at Grey Sauble Conservation’s headquarters outside of Owen Sound, and there, RMOs Carl

The Clean Water Act mandated the protection of municipal water sources and in the karst regions of Bruce Peninsula, protection is vital as the bedrock (left) easily transports water and pollutants to the groundwater.

Alternate livestock watering systems such as the one below are being created. This one was designed by the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association.

November 2024 27

Seider and Karen Gillan are responsible to safeguard public drinking water from the Saugeen Watershed to Northern Bruce Peninsula. Gillan grew up on a beef farm and now lives and farms in the area; she works especially on communications and community engagement. Seider has had plenty of experience working with the provincial government in emergency spill response, flood and water related issues. While there were

Dr. Hugh Simpson many more employed in their office while the program was being developed and protection zones were created from 2006 to 2015, it is now primarily just the two of them.

These maps are now online (search “Source Protection Information Atlas”), and you’ll see that each protection zone’s area is different, depending on local hydrogeological features and where each municipality gets its water.

Groundwater wells have a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) and Zone A is regulated 100 metres around the wellhead. Zone B delineates a travel time of two years to the intake and risk manages farming activities, fuel and chemical storage and waste disposal. Zone C has fewer restrictions to land use but may still require some regulation, especially for dense, persistent chemicals like degreasers and woodstrippers.

Surface water intakes have Intake Protection Zones (IPZ) with similar 28 The Rural Voice

but much larger protection zones because, in some cases, a fuel spill could reach municipal water in only a matter of hours.

Seider and Gillan work proactively within these protection zones; since 2007 two million dollars of provincial funding has supported businesses, residents and landowners in Grey and Bruce Counties to make necessary upgrades to storages, septic systems, etc. They believe that a voluntary approach with stewardship grants has been very cost-effective and complementary to the regulatory approach and has done more to get public buy-in and support in the long run as well.

The local source protection program is currently working on a study in the Kimberley and Shallow Lake areas to more accurately understand groundwater flows through karst systems. The goal is to re-map the protection zones for municipal wells in Kimberley and Shallow Lake in order to better protect the towns’ groundwater supplies. These areas have been recognized as vulnerable to surface water and sinking streams that can impact drinking water sources.

What about private wells?

It is important to note that these Source Water regulations only protect municipal water sources and do not currently have jurisdiction on private wells, which are instead regulated by Ontario Water Resources Act, Regulation 903.

Under this legislation, landowners are responsible for any wells on their property; they must be installed by a licensed contractor or to the specific quality standards in the Act. These involve specifications on depth and diameter, casing and proper sealing for new wells, as well as protection of the wellhead and minimum distance separation from potential contaminants.

Private well standards, ongoing inspection and maintenance and proper decommissioning by licensed contractors are important because wells can be impacted by surface contaminants and in some cases can themselves be a direct pathway of contamination into the very aquifer they are drawing from.

A recent example of private well

contamination occurred in Wiarton, when livestock wintered in a wet, karstic area, forcing the family to find an alternative drinking water source. This isolated example, along with others from the U.S., has spurred a Bruce County resident to raise the alarm to local councils and call for a local Task Force on karst groundwater, as well as restricting severances, additional private wells and certain farming activities.

With the public understandably concerned, Dr. Hugh Simpson was asked to give a presentation to Bruce County Council. Recently retired from the Ministry of Agriculture, Simpson worked closely with the agricultural community after the Walkerton tragedy and helped develop the Ministry’s best management practices for groundwater and private wells. He now works with the University of Guelph’s Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute.

On October 3, Simpson addressed the Council and community concerns with regards to vulnerable aquifers.

He emphasized the importance of private well owners being involved in protecting their water supplies: designing, installing and upgrading wells properly, regular water testing and treatment as needed, as well as proper decommissioning of abandoned wells. He outlined the current resources available to municipalities and rural residents and is currently working with community and technical partners across the province to update these materials and research better ways to convey technical information to the stakeholders that need it.

Best practices for private wells For rural landowners reading this, it is important to know that your well is your responsibility and one to be taken seriously. As Karen Gillan outlined in the September Rural Voice issue (see Grey County Federation of Agriculture), there are several things that rural residents can do to protect water for themselves and their neighbours.

First is to do regular water testing.

Sampling bottles are available through local Health Units and the testing is completely free, with results available in a matter of days.

Water treatment is an option for homes, as UV, reverse osmosis or other filtration is quite affordable these days.

Regular assessment of the quality of the wellhead and casing is important. Residents can self-assess their property with even just a shovel to find the depth to water or to bedrock in various locations. Soil texture also matters for water quality, with smaller particles (clay) providing the best protection.

Next, assess for proximity to risks from manure, fertilizers, ensilage run-off, septic systems, fuel or chemicals. Proper storage and handling of these materials, regular inspection of septic systems, along with proper setback from wellheads, watercourses, rocky outcrops or hollows on the property will go a long way to protecting groundwater aquifers, karst or otherwise.

There are assessment tools available from the Ministry of Agriculture, within the Environmental Farm Plan and Nutrient Management Plans. A series of rural groundwater factsheets are also available online from the Ministry of Agriculture (search for “Understanding Groundwater”) which includes a well maintenance checklist. Furthermore, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Farm & Food Care Ontario (then the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition) created a comprehensive Farm Source Water Protection Framework that is useful for farmers.

Local Health Units are also a great source of information about water quality and the Ontario Ground Water Association has a list of licensed well drillers in the province that can provide their expertise.

Rural residents have a vested interest in protecting their groundwater, not only for now but for future generations. In this case, as in most, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether it means replacing a failing septic system, improving a manure storage, fencing cattle away from a stream, or decommissioning an abandoned well, we all have our part to play to protect our groundwater aquifers. ◊

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Technology

Drone captures successful wheat harvest

I

By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot

t was ideal conditions on September 20 for drones to air-seed oats into a field of soybeans during Fall Demo Day at the Huronview Demonstration Farm outside of Clinton. But the great weather also meant many farmers were harvesting their soybeans and missed the action.

“You have to pick a day and hope for the best,” said Wim Feddes, president of the Huron Soil and Crop Association which sponsored the event with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. Ag Business and Crop Inc. of Palmerston and Drone Spray Canada based in Blenheim demonstrated their two different drone spreaders.

“We’re going to be spreading oats into the stands at a rate of 50 pounds per acre,” said Rick Koostra, farm manager for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement

Association (OSCIA) of the demonstration farm. “We want to try this because so many farmers have only two rotations — corn and beans. Sometimes they plant wheat but if it’s too wet, or too late, or too little money, then it’s just basically the two. So we want to bring oats in as a cover crop to create a three-crop rotation.”

The soybean field had been green just two weeks ago but two weeks of hot, sunny weather had turned it yellow and with rain on the forecast, Koostra said the conditions were ideal to air seed the field.

Jake Monroe, an OMAFRA advisor on the project said he’s seeing increased interest from farmers on planting oats and advised that cereal rye is another good option to plant this time of year.

Also on hand was Mike Verhoog, a custom drone operator from Staffa who operates Sutan Family Farms. “I do as much custom work as possible because it’s like playing video games all day long!” He uses a DJI T40 but he doesn’t have permission to fly the drone at local events.

There are a lot of rules surrounding aircraft, he said.

While preliminary discussions were going on, the XAG P100 Pro drone from Ag Business and Crop was being controlled by Lucas Weber, son of owner Felix Weber, to create a boundary map.

Drone software then calculated the passes needed to seed the field. The XAG can carry up to 110 pounds with a spread rate of 330 pounds per minute. When switched to a liquid tank, it can hold 13.5 gallons with a dual pump flow rate of six gallons per minute. All told, it can spray 50-70 acres per hour.

Brian Van Steelandt of Blyth fills the hopper on the DJI T50 from Drone Spray Canada with oats in front of the spectators at a Fall Demo Day at the Huronview Demonstration site outside of Clinton.

The goal was to plant a cover crop of oats into a standing field of soybeans using drone technology.

30 The Rural Voice

“I can do 400 acres in a day with just one drone,” said Lucas.

Lucas, as the sales, service and demonstration guy for Ag Business and Crop said the idea behind XAG is reliability. Made of aluminum composite, he says farmers can have a spare arm in their truck and if an arm needs replacing, they can easily do it themselves. Plus, the software is all plug and play and the unit can be

run by both the controller and a cell phone. Costs for this unit are in the range of $43,000.

Lucas admitted XAG has some catching up to do with DJI, which is popular in the agriculture industry.

“They have the market share but we think we have the Cadillac of spray drones.”

Brian Van Steelandt of Blyth was operating the DJI T50 from Drone Spray Canada and said the drone is very easy to use and has cheaper parts than other drone models.

Having always worked in the agricultural industry, Brian was keen to work with this new technology and how it can be beneficial to farmers, especially during wet seasons.

Brian Van Steelandt (centre) of Drone Spray Canada operates a DJI T50 while Felix Weber (left) and his son Lucas (right) look on. The drones sprayed oat seed on a soybean field at the Huronview Demonstraton Farm to act as a cover crop as part of a Fall Demo Day held in September.

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“You can do more stuff with a drone than a ground machine because it’s not running over standing crops,” he said. “I can also play the green card because drones are run by batteries (charged by generators) that use less energy than a 200 horsepower engine on a sprayer.”

It’s not yet legal for drones to spray pesticides or fungicides but Brian expects it will be legal to

spread fungicides by 2026. Currently, most of his business is spraying foliar fertilizer and cover crops. “It’s been a great two years because it’s been wet,” he said. Drone Spray Canada also sells the machines so they can train farmers themselves on how to operate the machines. Costs for DJI drones are in the $38,000 range.

The limitations of any drones are battery power. Batteries can die out within 10 minutes with a full load but last longer with an empty load. As the drone returns for reloading, new batteries are popped in. Brian said they always have a Lucas Weber (left) is the sales, service and demonstration guy for Ag Business and Crop based in Palmerston and could operate their XAG P100 drone with either a controller or his phone.

The drones require frequent filling and battery changes to finish the job.

generator in the field to recharge the batteries, a process which can take as little as 14 minutes.

There was also discussion about wind and how it affects coverage.

Brian says he will spread cover crops in winds up to 30 kilometre per hour with very little issue. It’s not by choice, but sometimes wind speeds vary over large fields. On windy days, flying slower helps push the seed into the crop.

It was hard to see the seed dispersal from the drones over the soybean field so each drone took a pass over the laneway to show the spread. It was surprising how much wind was generated from the rotating arms even standing safely from a distance.

Also at Demo Day was Nicole Menheere, a knowledge mobilization specialist with OSCIA who had soil from her grandfather’s farm in one of three test tubes designed to show the impact of tilled versus no-till soil and water quality. In just a half hour, the soil from the conventional tillage field was collecting on the bottom and the water was cloudy. Soil from the no-till field, with its stable soil aggregates, had only traces of soil on the bottom and the water was clear.

“When soil has poor aggregate stability, the soil leaches out into ditches and water sources and reduces water quality,” said Nicole.

Also on view at the event was a modified Fendt Rogator spray which was applying cover crops in a back field at the Huronview site. ◊

November 2024 33

International

Welsh Agri-Academy takes Ontario by storm 12 young farmers tour Ontario agriculture

• By Melisa Luymes •

Sandi Brock hosts the first stop for the Welsh Agri‐Academy on her sheep farm near Staffa, ON. L‐R: Reuben Davies, Sandi Brock, Richard Lewis, Aron Dafydd, Siân Downes, Dylan Jones, Jack Hughson, Sophie Thornton, Emyr Wyn Owen, Anna Jones, Michael Humphreys, Llŷr Jones, Ben Lewis and Osian Williams.

I

n early October, a group of 12 young Welsh farmers took southwestern Ontario by storm. They were with the Farming Connect Agri-Academy, a governmentfunded leadership program aimed at developing the skills of aspiring leaders in the Welsh agricultural industry. The program offers mentoring, networking, and a series of study visits, including a one-week trip abroad to help them drive innovation and adopt best practices for their farms. In the past, they have visited New Zealand, Iceland, and the Netherlands but for the past two years, they chose to explore the diversity of agriculture we have in southwestern Ontario.

It began with a connection that an Agri-Academy staff member made with me via social media in early 2023, and I hosted a group that October. We had such a good time that I visited Wales in late November after I attended the AgriTechnica convention in Germany. While it is part of the United Kingdom, it is quite different from England and retains its own language. It has narrow winding roads, old buildings, plenty of pubs, gorgeous green hills, dotted with sheep, cattle and the odd castle. The people are warm and friendly with a tremendous sense of humour.

34 The Rural Voice

So, when they asked me to host another group this year, I didn’t hesitate. They came from different types of livestock farms across Wales and were between the ages of 25 and 35. From the time they arrived in Guelph on September 29 in three rented trucks, it was a whirlwind tour that had them on the road every day and in each direction.

On Monday they went to visit Sandi Brock, a sheep farmer and social media influencer (Sheepishly Me) near Staffa. As many of the Agri-Academy participants raised sheep, they had a million questions for her, and it was difficult to pry them away from Sandi to get to Hensall Coop just down the road. Chris Van Loo brought them around the facilities that process much of the baked beans they eat in the U.K. and they were impressed with the size of trucks, the amount of storage, and the technology of the cleaning and processing facilities. They got back on the road to tour the Elora Dairy Research Centre to learn more about the research being done there and they spoke with Christoph Wand, OMAFA’s Livestock Sustainability Specialist. They discussed subsidies, environmental programs, risk management and Canada’s quota system,

which is similar to the dairy quotas that were withdrawn in the EU in 2015. The group also caught the last harness race at the Grand River Raceway before heading back to Guelph.

On Tuesday, the group started the morning at Elmira’s Bio-En Power plant, which powers the town on food waste through an anaerobic digester. They learned about its plans for expansion into renewable natural gas in Ontario, with all the provincial politics involved. Next, on the other side of Listowel, owner Mark Horst toured the group around Marcrest Manufacturing Inc., where the Bale Baron is assembled. As Marcrest is exporting around the world, many of the Welsh farmers had seen the equipment in the UK. They went through the ins and outs of making great hay, and Horst brought them to his hay dryers and storage, which boasted dry hay as green as the day it was cut.

After a fabulous lunch at Your Neighbourhood Table, they tried their first butter tarts. Then it was off to see a nearby drainage installation

by Dryden Drainage and a quick stop at Luymes Farms to see some equipment before heading to a field to see some silage chopping in action. The group ended the day with Janet Harrop and the University of Guelph’s Sean Jordan at Harrcroft Acres near Fergus, to see the carbon and greenhouse gas research being done through the federal Living Labs project.

Wednesday took the group further north, with a stop at Springhills Fish near Hanover and a fascinating tour with Arlen Taylor of the whole process from spawning eggs to water cleaning, and processing for the customer. Only a quick drive down the road, they met up with Ty Hunt, manager of one of the Schaus feedlots. Just as with Sandi Brock’s Britespan barn, they were impressed with the natural light and airflow of We Cover Structures. They stopped for wood-fired pizzas before taking a quiet moment at Well 5 to learn about the Walkerton Tragedy and the subsequent agri-environmental and management regulations that now protect public health.

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Next, they got a bus tour of Bruce Power, along with a good look at Lake Huron. They stopped for a presentation at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Learn More Centre in Teeswater on their way back, met up with Adam Ireland combining the last of his soybeans and also met Brett Israel of 3Gen Organics at Conestoga Lake. Israel talked about raising pigs, diversification and direct marketing, organic standards, multi-generational farms and succession.

After a night learning line dancing with University of Guelph’s agricultural students at Aggie Pub, the group of Welsh farmers had an early morning drive across the city to the International Plowing Match in Lindsay, where they got to catch a rodeo. Just down the road, they paid a visit to Woodleigh Farms and met Norm Lamothe, discussed biochar, cover crops and drones, maple syrup, making compost and regenerative farming. They loved how Lamothe strip-grazed his sheep and kept a fluffy Great Pyrenees-Maremma guard dog there to protect them. To a Welsh farmer, sheepdogs are agile herding dogs, and their sheep don’t need much protection on pasture. On the way back, the group got to see the sun set across the Holland Marsh and stopped in Bradford for some authentic Mexican food.

Friday was their last day in Canada, and they had yet to see Niagara Falls. On the way, Joe Stutzman toured them around First Line Training Centre; they got to see a horse doing its cardio in the pool and learned more about the equine industry in Ontario. The Falls didn’t disappoint, and they stopped at Niagara-on-the-Lake on their way back to the airport to tour Spirit in Niagara distillery. To reduce the amount of food waste from the tender fruit industry, Arnie Lepp now creates gins, whiskeys, vodkas and more from the seconds of peaches, cherries, plums, etc. that would otherwise be wasted. Needless to say, the group slept soundly on the plane back to London.

For me, it was interesting to see Ontario agriculture through their eyes. They were amazed at how clean 36 The Rural Voice

Top to Bottom: Mark Horst tours the group through Marcrest Manufacturing, Listowel; tour of bean processing at Hensall Co‐op; Arlen Taylor shows off trout production at Springhills Fish, Hanover.

and well kept most of the farms are.

They were suprised that we don’t have pick-up hitches in Ontario, and pointed out the lack of eavestroughs to divert clean water and other storages that wouldn’t have passed inspections in the U.K. There seemed to be much more regulation in the U.K. For example, the farmer who led the group had three chicken barns and wouldn’t get a permit to construct a barn without also

purchasing an ammonia scrubber that pulls air from the barn through sulfur to form a nitrogen fertilizer.

The group also joked that Ontarians should have more vegetables and at our restaurants and that four-way stops should be turned into roundabouts. Overall, it was a great week, and I learned a lot from the tours as well. It made me quite proud of the agricultural innovation in our little corner of the world! ◊

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Recipes by Carolyn Crawford

Soup — Heartwarming for your body and soul

T

here is nothing better than a steamy, hot, aromatic soup to warm your insides on a cold, damp, autumn day. Our family enjoys soup in the summer but in the fall and winter it somehow tastes even better! We often go to the Wishbone Restaurant in Bolton where we have their delicious homemade soups as an appetizer to our meal.

During the winter, when it is harder to get around, I will make soup at home. Soup is easy to make. It just takes a bit more prep time. It is also easy to make too much at once, which is okay if you have time to pack it into single portions and freeze it to have on hand when you have less time to make it.

The other danger in soup making is adding too many spices, particularly salt or pepper.

Always when making soup, use spices sparingly.

Seasonings intensify over

time — it will be stronger every day. You can always add more seasonings to your taste, but it is better to do it just once towards the end. Too much salt in your soup can be somewhat remedied by adding in a medium sized potato and removing it when it is cooked. Too much pepper or other stronger spices, on the other hand, can only be resolved by adding more plain stock, water, or milk to dilute it, which may change your solid to liquid ratio too much. Following a good recipe, and sticking to what it says, is best.

One of my favourite soups, Tomato Macaroni, is one that was served in Victoria Inn Restaurant where I used to work, years ago. It has been closed for many years, but I did find

What can be better on a cool Autumn day than a bowl of soup? Clockwise: Classic beef and tomato macaroni soup; celery for seasoning; cream of mushroom soup; homemade tomato soup with baking soup which helps prevent milk from curdling from the acidity of the tomatoes.

40 The Rural Voice

a good place that serves a reasonable facsimile in Huntsville, Ontario called The Family Place Restaurant and Pizza. I have tried to recreate it on my own but still have difficulty getting the exact seasonings right.

This one from Karlynn Johnston’s Kitchen Magpie blog is agood one to try.

Classic Beef & Tomato Macaroni Soup Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 1 cup onion, diced (I would also add carrots and celery a.k.a. mirepoix) 3 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups beef broth, very strong 2-798 ml cans diced tomatoes (her recipe says 1 can each of chopped and whole tomatoes. I just used all diced) ½ cup ketchup 1 ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1-2 tbsp brown sugar (to taste if you have a sweeter ketchup, you may not need it. I like to use a little sugar in any tomato dish to neutralize the acid a bit) 1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 cups cooked elbow macaroni, or 2 cups dry macaroni added in at the end (any shape of pasta no bigger than elbows will do) Salt and pepper (Remember start with less!)

Directions: Crockpot Directions (On her blog it also has Instant Pot directions) In a medium frying pan, brown the ground beef, onions (carrots and celery, and garlic) until beef is no longer pink.

Drain the grease (I also like to rinse it with hot water to remove most of the grease) and place in a large crock pot.

Add the broth, cans of tomatoes, Worcestershire, ketchup, brown sugar, and Italian seasoning.

Place lid on the crockpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

When you are ready to serve, either add the dry macaroni and let cook for 20-25 minutes OR add cooked macaroni. Let the macaroni heat through and serve.

Cream of Mushroom (or any vegetable) Soup (Small Batch) Ingredients:

¼ cup butter ½ cup chopped onion 2 cups mushrooms (or more—you can vary with different species) 2 tbsp all purpose flour ½ cup half and half cream (10%) 1 cup or more of homo milk Salt and pepper to taste Cheddar cheese, shredded, for garnish Garlic croutons for garnish Directions: In medium to large frying pan, melt butter, and sauté onions and mushrooms. You can use any vegetables chopped up into ¼ inch sized pieces.

When almost cooked, shake (instant blending works well here) all purpose flour to coat the mushrooms and onions. Cook for a minute or so then gradually add half and half.

Bring to a slight bubble and simmer for a few minutes while stirring to cook the flour. Add milk gradually and heat through adding more milk to desired thickness.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour into soup bowls and sprinkle with cheddar or your favourite cheese. Top with garlic croutons.

Homemade Tomato Soup — with Baking Soda This is my Grandma Cook’s recipe which I have adapted a bit.

Mum often made this with “our barn milk” and it was delicious. I add more spices than they did but you can use this as a base and flavour to your own taste. You can leave it chunky or purée it. Why add baking soda, you ask? Baking soda prevents the milk from curdling in the acidic

tomatoes.

Ingredients: 1-798 ml can diced tomatoes (you can use your own canned tomatoes or chop up fresh ones) ¼ tsp baking soda 1/3 cup butter 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped 4 tbsp flour 3-4 cups homo milk (depending on how thick you would like it to be) Salt and pepper to taste Bacon bits for garnish Parmesan cheese for garnish Other seasonings as desired: garlic (3 cloves or 1 tsp garlic powder); a dash of cayenne; ½ tsp smoked paprika; or 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; or 1 tbsp garlic plus seasoning Directions: To the can of diced tomatoes add baking soda and stir well. Let it sit while you melt the butter in a large saucepan and sauté onion until thoroughly cooked.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to make a roux. Cook for a minute. Slowly add the milk while stirring rapidly with whisk. Simmer softly until thickened. (Add more milk here if too thick.)

Add tomato and baking soda mixture. Simmer until heated through.

Add seasonings and simmer gently until ready to serve, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching.

Purée (if desired) and serve in soup mugs or bowls. Garnish with bacon bits and parmesan cheese.

Soup is just what you need for warming up on these cool fall days. ◊

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Gardening Rhea Hamilton‐ Seeger is a skilled cook and gardener who lives in Goderich.

Dahlias I want to eat!

from them. Touches of colour in the landscape, in front of a hedge or shrub border can be achieved nicely with miniature, dwarfs or dainty pompon dahlias. I often see hits of colour using small dahlias in larger mixed pots. Maybe you simply want a cutting garden to share with friends.

For the fall wedding mentioned above, tubers were chosen for the bloom colours. Some came from taller plants and still other colours were from bushier forms. All were grown in vegetable gardens and not part of the landscape.

The dinner plate dahlias are more for competition and you can still see some of them at the local fairs in the floral competition or in a striking floral arrangement. Often their size limits where they can be used, as they can simply overpower a room.

I will start at the spring end of this story as many of us are already planning ahead. Look for tubers that are firm. If buying new, they will already be properly divided. If you are dividing a clump from last fall and not sure where the eyes are, spread the tubers out and cover with several inches of moist loam for about a month before planting time. Keep in a cool dry place, and monitor the dryness of the loam, sprinkling occasionally if the loam gets dry. The day before

planting gently uncover the tubers and you can see the bud eyes. With a sanitized sharp knife or pruning shears, cut the tubers leaving them in a cool dry place overnight to air-dry the cut. The buds around last year’s stem are the easiest to find. You may not be so lucky with the base part of the root/tuber mass.

Prepare the hole by digging deeply, about a foot in depth, and supplement with humus and a fertilizer containing only potash and phosphorus in the soil two weeks before planting. Or you can throw a handful of fertilizer in the bottom of the hole when you plant, covering it with soil so it cannot touch and burn the roots. You can use nitrogen sparingly later in the season to promote foliage and large flowers but too much nitrogen delays blooming and seems to reduce the vitality of the tubers. In this case too little is better than too much nitrogen.

Once growing, you can pinch off a few buds to create larger blooms and more stems. The buds tend to grow in threes and you can pinch the two side ones off. If you simply want more colour, you can limit your pinching

Is it my imagination or are Dahlias growing in popularity? A friend had her garden taken over by a granddaughter to grow dahlias for her wedding. As the grandmother nipped buds to force the bloom later in the season, the daughter cast doubtful eyes, worried about the number of blooms. But dahlias never fail to produce and amaze. Another friend seeks out exotic looking tubers every spring at local garden centres.

When I was 15, I had several dinner plate dahlias in the garden.

They were my pride and joy. The tubers were from a friend of the family and I planted them along the fence so I would have something to tie the tall heavy stems to. The blooms measured anywhere from 10 to 12 inches across (now it would be 26 to 31 centimetres). The colours were not anything special – bright yellow and dark red – but it was the size that caught your eye.

Like many of the garden plants we enjoy today, hybridizers have worked their magic.

It started with the Aztec who selected what forms and colours to grow among the native plants.

By the time the Spanish conquistadors arrived even botanists could not tell what the true species was. From the massive hybridized blooms from my youth, dahlias have been further hybridized to produce miniature and dwarf varieties with a wild rainbow of colour and petal shapes; think pompons.

Choosing your blooms Dahlias never fail to amaze with their bold, colourful blooms. Growing them isn’t too difficult but based on what you want the tubers need to be harvested and stored over winter.

44 The Rural Voice

to only one bud and leave the rest.

There is a trick to cutting your dahlias for arrangements. They will wilt unless the stems are placed immediately in hot water. They need a few minutes to condition them or you can leave them until the water cools. This, coupled with daily water changes, will extend the life of your arrangement.

Now we come to the end of the season and how to store the tubers.

After the first hard frost blackens the leaves, leave the dahlias for a couple of days to let the sap drain back into the tubers. Then cut the stalks and leaves leaving the tuber in the ground for a few more days. Let the stems bleed. Choose a sunny day to lift them, shaking most of the soil from the tubers and set them in the sun for several hours to dry. Leave undivided, pack them carefully in boxes or fruit baskets, the thin wooden ones, and cover with some material to prevent shriveling during storage. Sawdust has also been used successfully, or vermiculite or even leaving some loose loam on them before packing them in polyethylene bags but you have to be careful about insects and disease that may accompany this method.

Now comes the most chatted part of growing dahlias. Where to store them! Everyone has a method that works for their conditions be it a cold cellar (not many of those around); a spot in the barn, or the bottom of the basement stairs if it is cool enough.

The idea is to keep them cool but not freezing. I think we now have to cover them with blankets and newspapers to insulate them from the warmth in our homes!

Like potatoes, it is impossible to simply grow one. Tubers naturally multiply, and you can share with friends, or donate to the local Horticultural Society spring sale. I am almost tempted to grow dahlias again when I look at the brilliant colours and the variety of sizes and shapes; the cactus and orchid shapes are very interesting and the collarette doesn’t look like your normal flower shape. To get excited about what is available take a look at the web site for The American Dahlia Society. I suspect you will be smitten! ◊

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News

• By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot •

Allan Smith has been a Bruce leader for 46 years Allan Smith was honoured for his volunteerism at the annual meeting of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture

H

aving served “in pretty much every position” Allan Smith of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture was honoured for 46 years of service at the annual meeting held October 4 in Tara.

Smith had few words to say as he accepted a cheese basket from BCFA president, Chris Cossett but he did say he’s had a good time and good life serving farmers on the board.

Cossett did have much to report on as the BCFA has had a busy year writing letters in support of agricultural issues to politicians. “We need our voice to be louder but respectful,” he said.

Issues BCFA is concerned about are farmland appropriation, capital gains changes, having representatives on municipal council and other committees to encourage agricultural understanding, source water protection, energy and the environment, youth, and technology in agriculture.

Road safety is another concern and BCFA, in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Revive Fund plus support from Bruce County Council, installed road safety signs highlighting awareness of slow moving vehicles (SMVs).

Unfortunately, the tractor on these signs seems to be popular among thieves as four of the signs have already been stolen.

A new and ongoing issue is Bill 293, the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act. There is concern in agriculture that the act has farreaching consequences for farmers if a spreadable virus is found in livestock barns or processing plants.

“We need some points clarified on this act,” said Cossitt.

Margaret Vincent, Bruce’s Member Service Representative said there has been talk of the section pertaining to agriculture being 46 The Rural Voice

Bruce County farmer Allan Smith is honoured for 46 years of service to the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture at the BCFA’s annual meeting held October 4 in Tara. removed from Bill 293 but “it has not been removed as of yet.”

Les Nichols took the floor next to name this year’s winners of the BCFA’s Building Careers and Futures in Agriculture bursary: Kiera DeMichele, Mackenzie Peckham and Ronan Johnson.

“I also want to remind you that if you have kids heading off to university, to apply for this bursary next year,” said Nichols.

Lois Sinclair, a field representative for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association was in attendance to update farmers on new programs and funds available if they have completed version four of the Environmental Farm Plan. She also revealed there are funds available for a financial assessment for farmers experiencing financial struggles.

Programs currently open for applications via the OSCIA are the

Honeybee Health Initiative, Climate Action Fund and the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program. “A lot of dollars have gone out the door but a lot of dollars are still available yet.”

Elections were held with Chris Cossitt retaining his position as president. John Gillespie remains first vice-president and John Rodgers in past-president. Delegates were also chosen for the 2024 OFA Annual Convention to be held November 2627 at the Delta Toronto Airport and Conference Centre.

The final speaker of the evening was Pail Vickers, Grey-Bruce director and executive member on the OFA board. He spoke on farmer’s satisfaction that the Advanced Payment Program has been bumped back up to $250,000 but expressed dismay that “each year we have to spend time and energy to get it

propped back up to $250,000.”

He credited Lisa Thompson, the Minister of Rural Affairs and HuronBruce MPP for “steering and driving” the push to update the Veterinarians Act to expand the scope of what veterinary technicians could do to free up time for veterinarians to tackle serious cases.

He was proud to be part of a mass meeting at Queen’s Park to improve government relations. Farmers and Federation members had over 20 meetings with elected officials to inform urban members of parliament about the issues facing agriculture.

“It’s important to meet with the government and keep in front of those people so they can make decisions that are good for agriculture,” said Vickers.

He was pleased to list some “wins for agriculture” in Bruce County this year: — regional Grow Ag event at Pike Lake — support for SMV signage — Roots of Bruce, Grown in Grey and Progressive Ag Safety Days, all successful, annual events held in the county (and neighbouring Grey County each year).

Vickers also commented on a survey of OFA members which revealed the number one concern among farmers is taxation. Rural infrastructure investment was the second concern. The third concern was encouraging consumers to buy local (in the southern part of the province) and compensation for wildlife damage (in the northern part of the province).

Ongoing “hot topics” include land use planning, severances and stormwater management.

Lastly, he apprised the BCFA members of successes of the OFA’s Revive fund which has injected close to one million dollars to rural areas over the past four years. The money has been used for signage as mentioned above, and also for CPR and mental health training.

The evening ended with encouragement from Cossitt for everyone to remember that the agricultural sector wants to be part of the solution to issues and that BCFA is a unified voice to represent farmers in Bruce County. ◊

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November 2024 47

Markets Scott Krakar is a Grain Merchandiser with LAC Inc., Hyde Park, 519‐473‐9333

When oil prices move, so do crop prices Energy is required for economic stability and for continuing social progress. In our modern world, energy has been the catalyst of our increasing standard of living and oil is the cornerstone. Energy is required for human prosperity and no one wants to do without it.

Increasingly it is hard to think of almost anything we do that doesn’t require energy. As commodity and food producers, we recognize first hand that our production is reliant on

energy. Without energy to provide the necessary inputs and operate equipment, there would be no farm gate production, or distribution of commodities. All industries are similar.

Oil prices have recently been making big price movements. Market participants are showing that there is expectation that there will be disruptions in oil flow due to a dramatic escalation in the current Middle East conflict. Market anticipation is that Iranian oil infrastructure could be affected in retaliation for their recent missile attacks against Israel. Iran is producing about 3.2 million barrels of oil per day, which is about three per cent of global production. Of their production, about 1.7 million barrels are exported each day, primarily to China and India. From this, market participants recognize that if there is destruction of Iranian terminal facilities or pipelines a notable decrease in world supplies would result. Stemming from this analysis, oil prices have rallied

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48 The Rural Voice

sharply. But this potential retaliation attack is of course all speculation.

There is no certainty that oil will stay elevated with this risk premium.

There’s political pressure from all sides, influencing the decision as to whether such an attack occurs.

Increasingly it seems that the U.S. is not supportive of an attack against oil infrastructure. The U.S. is coming into its presidential election shortly and U.S. voters are concerned about the cost of living. The current U.S. administration has no desire for a jump in gasoline prices at this key voting time.

Oil is the largest commodity traded in the world. When oil prices make a big move, other commodity markets typically move similarly, as many commodities have a positive correlation with energy prices. Often institutional investors who want commodity exposure buy a commodity index. These indices have a broad exposure to various commodities, but are dominated by oil due to its massive market size relative to other commodities.

Therefore as buyers purchase the commodity market index to receive exposure to oil, other commodities also see higher prices. Stemming from this buying, the grain markets have been strengthening recently.

Not only are grain markets benefited by oil’s strength indirectly as we have just mentioned, but they are also supported as fuel products themselves through biofuels. Corn is supported through ethanol production and soy and canola through biodiesel.

There are many world events going on that have uncertain outcomes and ramifications to agricultural markets. There is the long-standing Russia and Ukraine war, which brings agricultural market fears from time to time. Once again tensions are increasing from the region as Russia has hit two ships loading Ukrainian grain in Odessa with missile strikes in back-to-back days. Some market watchers are wondering if Russia is looking to disrupt Ukrainian grain shipments as in the past, in an effort to limit revenues into the country.

Grains and oilseeds have had other

Markets factors that have helped support prices also. Russia has been dry and wheat planting has been delayed in the nation, as 75 per cent of the wheat growing region has seen no rain for at least a month. In Russia, the world's largest wheat grower, it is important to get winter wheat planted in a timely fashion, to allow the establishment of the crop prior to the outset of winter. Poor establishment will lead to the likelihood of winter freeze damage and winter kill.

Russia’s agricultural minister has been very vocal in showing concern over the dearth in the region, with many regions declaring states of emergency with drought so deeply entrenched.

Brazil has also been in a severe drought and production worries have supported the grain complex.

Brazilian growers have been waiting to plant soy, until rains develop to allow germination. Not only has this delayed soy planting, bringing concern to the outlook of soy production, but much of Brazil plants second crop corn following soy harvest.

Delays in soy planting bring delays in the subsequent planting time of corn also. And while it has been dry through September and some regions have delayed planting, generally 66 per cent of the Brazilian crop is planted in October in a typical season. The market has been supported by concerns of the dryness in the region, however hopes have still remained that October rains would develop. At this time, this appears to be what is likely to occur.

Rains are forecast for the region and this is weighing on price sentiment in the markets. But with such a deficit in moisture from the extreme dryness, follow up rains need to continue through the growing season. After all, one rain won’t make a crop. ◊

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BERNIE McGLYNN LUMBER LTD. BUYER OF HARDWOOD BUSHLOTS Wholesaler • Hardwood Lumber 1563 Hwy#9, Mildmay, ON N0G 2J0

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The Rural Voice welcomes letters and will publish as many as space permits.

Write to: The Rural Voice, Box 429, Blyth, ON, N0M 1H0 November 2024 49

People

• By Gary West •

Brook trout thriving in Upper Avon River

V

olunteers congregated on a farm last week, north of Shakespeare, studying fish and aquatic life in a pond fed by a stream in Perth County’s North Easthope township.

The history behind the project started in 1952 when landowners in

the Upper Avon River watershed, helped the local conservation authority prepare a watershed plan that would act as a guide for future

tree planting and other conservation work in the watershed.

It was the first of its kind in Canada.

Dylan Wilhelm (above), a grade 9 student at Stratford District Secondary School, shows a heathy Brook Trout. These fish are multiplying in a section of the Upper Avon River, on the Wilhelm family farm. Monitoring the healthy fish population last

week in NorthEasthope township in the Upper Avon River, are (left to right) Bradley Wilhelm (farm owner), Dave Johnson and Erin Carroll, both Aquatic Biologists from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

Jean Smelski’s volunteerism recognized with King Charles Coronation Medal

“W

Perth‐Wellington M.P. John Nater with Corononation Medal winner, Jean Smelski.

50 The Rural Voice

ell Deserved” is what residents and friends of Perth-East resident, Jean Smelski, are saying since the Shakespeare-area volunteer received the prestigious Coronation Medal from King Charles lll.

The medal is awarded to a person who has made a significant contribution to Canada, or to a particular province, territory, region or community in Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad, that brings credit to Canada.

Jean is best known as being an important part of the Smelski Pumpkin Farm, located east of Shakespeare, and the Ontario Pork Congress. She is currently on the Stratford Hospital Foundation Board, and organizes the speaker program for the Probus club as Past President. Jean is also the long-time secretary of the Shakespeare OptiMrs organization, a “Friendship Force” host, a member of the area’s horticultural society, and one of the longest serving volunteers of the “Friends of the Stratford Festival Theatre”.

Jean’s favourite saying and one she lives by is: “Never say you have no time — you can always find time to do it!” ◊

Years later, in 1993, neighbours held a meeting hosted by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), to finally put that plan into action.

Tributaries of the Avon River, that runs through Stratford, had become degraded and water quality in stretches of the nearby waterways was very poor. However, after 30 years of planting trees along the tributaries of the river, and carrying out other conservation work on the land, water quality has improved to where it now supports many varieties of fish including Brook Trout!

Ten years ago, certain locations were stocked with the trout by volunteers who run a fish hatchery near Komoka.

Last week was a check to see how the fish were surviving. Turns out the fish not only survived, they are also reproducing.

The success is a testament to the local neighbours and farmers in the watershed who have been working together for all those years.

As part of a fish species monitoring network in the Upper Thames River watershed, a section of the Upper Avon River was inventoried. A team of aquatic biologists from the UTRCA, assisted by local landowner Bradley Wilhelm, used a technique called “electro fishing” to see what was happening in the creek.

What they found was a thriving population of Brook Trout, and other species of fish that need good, clean water quality to survive.

The tree planting efforts of landowners in the Upper Avon watershed for the past 30 years have paid dividends.

Wilhelm‘s kids took the morning off of school to watch and learn about the event. They were very excited to see what was in their creek and have a new appreciation of what lives there.

The monitoring is done on a regular basis across the Upper Thames River watershed, to help determine its long-term aquatic health. ◊

Dugald McIntosh wins junior champion plowman title

D

By Shawn Loughlin

ugald McIntosh from the Seaforth area was crowned the Junior Champion at the recent International Plowing Match (IPM) held near Lindsay, punching his ticket to next year’s Canadian Plowing Championship in Ayton, Ontario.

McIntosh was one of just three competitors in Class 2B, but he dominated the competition with a total of 487 points. That put him head and shoulders above Carson Little of Amaranth, who was the Reserve Junior Champion with a total of 426 points.

The three young men competed over the course of three days with one another and McIntosh ended each day as the leader, so, going into the third and final day, he was in a pretty good position to win it all. When he was told he was the Junior Champion, McIntosh said he was pretty proud of himself and was happy to represent Huron County on the provincial stage.

Beyond that, however, he said he was happy to get to know his fellow competitors. Since there were just three of them, over the course of three days, he said they really got to spend a lot of time together and it turned into a really friendly competition.

As far as his time out in the field was concerned, McIntosh said that despite his dominance, it was no picnic out there. He said he felt prepared and had practised all week leading up to the match, so he was confident on the way to Lindsay. However, when he arrived, the fields had plenty of stones in them and were often hilly, adding to his degree of difficulty. To combat the stones, however, he said he just tried to go slowly and get the plow back in the dirt as soon as he could to stay on his path.

Looking ahead, he says he’s proud to represent his county and his province at the national competition next year.

Furthermore, he said he’s happy that he’ll be the first member of the Huron County 4-H Sodbusters Club to compete at the Canadian Dugald McIntosh (above) earned 487 Plowing Championship in a while. points in the junior class at the Something like that, he said, will International Plowing Match in be a real boost for the club and for Lindsay to earn a spot at next year’s youth plowing in Huron County as Canadian Plowing Championship a whole. ◊ event in Ayton.

November 2024 51

Woodlots Donna Lacey is a forester with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority

I’ve never thought of “tree equity” before

I recently attended a meeting with all the Community Forest Managers of Ontario. This group gets together once a year to listen to speakers, tour a few sites, and discuss issues that have or may arise. This year we met in Aurora and toured some of York Region’s forests as they celebrate their 100th year of forest management.

One of the presentations this year was given by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Until listening to this speaker, I thought the SFI was just a certifying body for forests that qualified, similar to that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). At one time the forests that I worked were certified under FSC, which seemed to cover more southern Ontario forests than SFI. This forest certification is meant to reassure the public that forests are being managed sustainably and all involved are treated fairly, as the auditors for the certifying body will conduct site visits, hold interviews, and dig deep into a company’s paperwork following international standards. This was of course an incredibly simplified explanation of my opinion of their programs.

Apparently, SFI is much more

Leadership in energy and environmental design

Devon Henry 519-505-2473 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

devonjhenry@hotmail.com 52 The Rural Voice

than a certifying body. The speaker was on the agenda with a topic of Growing Sustainable Forests for Liveable Communities: Using the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. While the talk did focus on the Community Forest Sustainability Standard for much of the time, there was a term used that I had never heard before, “tree equity”.

Of course, I know what a tree is and I know that the word equity can be used with different meanings. In this case, the reference to equity is not about the value of ownership, but about fairness to all. As we live in such a natural and tree-filled part of Ontario, I have never once given thought to this as a necessity to be discussed. I am fairly certain that I have written about the scientific proof that being near to or able to see trees aid in a person’s health and well-being.

The idea of tree equity takes this information to a different level. If we know that trees are good for human health, why don’t we try to ensure that all people have equal access to trees? Is this even something that people in our part of Ontario need to worry about? Do we have the power or desire to help people internationally in establishing trees?

The World Health Organization (WHO) makes the recommendation that all urban residents should have access to at least 0.5 hectares (1.23 acres) of green space within 300 meters (1014 feet) of their home.

Again, living where I do, I find it hard to imagine that this recommendation was even worth writing. This is probably an important time to mention that I don’t travel a lot.

Studies have shown that in many countries, on average, there are far fewer trees and green space in impoverished neighbourhoods and that those neighbourhoods of the wealthy have a greater number of green spaces and trees than average.

Until the term “tree equity” was thrown at me, I hadn’t been aware of these facts or I had forgotten.

The studies show that people who live within the parameters of the WHO’s recommended green spaces

have many benefits. Not only do they filter the air and water while providing habitat for many species, they help people in ways that are difficult to measure. These tree benefits may help to alleviate some of the difficulties that impoverished people and families face. It is noted that school children have better behaviour when they have more exposure to green spaces. This may be because overall, trees and nature can help alleviate anxiety and depression.

Trees are noted to boost people's feelings of well-being and happiness.

I often readily admit that I feel much better when I take a walk through a forest, but I really just thought that this was a “me” thing.

How can accessibility to trees and green spaces be enhanced in established neighbourhoods that lack these opportunities in Ontario? There are places where planters, pots, or maybe even a community garden could be placed in areas that are largely concrete and asphalt. The only issue with these opportunities is often the lack of funding for the purchase of materials and possibly wages for staff to temporarily attend the site to ensure that the plants become established.

We can help these efforts through the usual method of providing funding. We can also help by providing seeds, plant material, and advice. I believe that there are many people who, if given the opportunity, would love to grow a tree or plant a garden.

I truly don’t know how I am going to start with helping to provide or encourage better tree equity, but I am ready to try and will put an effort into finding my path forward. The thought that everyone doesn’t need to hug a tree to feel better and be healthier, they just need to see one, seems like a reasonable item to work towards. ◊ Referencing: To obtain these statistics, studies or reports, you can search through academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or directly on the websites of the WHO, American Forests, Ontario Forests and relevant

environmental journals.

Agrilaw John D. Goudy is a partner in Scott Petrie LLP Law Firm, and also farms north of London.

Land registry errors and the Land Titles Assurance Fund

M

istakes sometimes happen, even in the land registry system.

The Land Titles Assurance Fund operates under the Land Titles Act and is designed to provide compensation to individuals for financial losses arising from real estate fraud or from errors and omissions of the land registration system. To be eligible for compensation, a claimant must ensure the time required to file the claim has not expired – applications must be made within six years of suffering the loss – and the claim made must meet the criteria for coverage. Examples of eligible claims include fraud, errors or omissions by the land registration system, errors in recording land that is brought under the Land Titles Act, and errors in recording a registered document in the automated land registration system.

A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dealt with a situation where the Land Registry Office (“LRO”) had mistakenly deleted a valid and active first mortgage from title to a residential property. The LRO deleted 23 instruments from the property identification number (“PIN”) assigned to the property, including the first mortgage. Importantly, the mortgage was deleted without a discharge being formally registered or any reference to the registration number of the discharged mortgage so that anyone looking at the PIN would not see any reference to it.

Several years later, the homeowner sold the property to a new purchaser.

The lawyers involved conducted title searches which indicated that the first

mortgage had been deleted from title and there were no legal claims or restrictions against the property.

There was nothing to suggest that the purchasers had any prior knowledge that the first mortgage had been mistakenly deleted from the PIN. As far as the purchasers knew, the mortgagee to whom the homeowner vendor had given the first mortgage had no ongoing interest in the property.

The property was sold to the purchaser free of any clear interest on the part of the original mortgagee.

When the original mortgagee found out that its first mortgage had been deleted, it asked the LRO to correct the problem. The LRO cooperated and reinstated the mortgage by way of a Reinstatement Order registered on title. That mortgage went into default (not surprisingly, since the new owners would not likely have known about it) and the original mortgagee sought to recover the debt from the new owners of the property.

The new owners applied to the Director of Titles for Ontario to have the Reinstatement Order set aside and to remove the order and the mortgage from title to the property.The Director of Titles determined that a member of LRO staff had unintentionally deleted the first mortgage and concluded that the reinstated mortgage should be removed from title.

The matter came to the Court as an application by the first mortgagee to reverse the decision of the Director of Titles and to have the first mortgage once again restored to title to the property. The parties put forward competing expert opinions about the conduct of the real estate lawyers involved in the new owners’ purchase of the property. The Applicant mortgagee argued that the purchasers’ lawyers failed to meet the required standard of care because they should have been aware of red flags regarding the title and should have investigated further (which would have revealed the ongoing interest of the mortgagee in the property).

The expert for the Respondent purchasers/new owners contended

that such a standard of care in this case was unreasonable and unrealistic as lawyers should be able to rely on the Land Registry for updated and accurate information – the principle of indefeasibility of title. Three principles of indefeasibility of title embody the philosophy of the land titles system in Ontario: 1) the Land Register is the perfect mirror of the state of title; 2) the purchaser need not investigate past dealing with the land or search behind the Register; and, 3) the state guarantees the accuracy of the Register and compensates any person who suffers loss as a result of an inaccuracy.

The Application Judge rejected the argument that the purchasers’ lawyers failed to meet the standard of care required and identified the significant constraint on the ability of the Court to rectify (change) the Land Register. Subject to two exceptions, fraud and actual notice of an unregistered interest, the Court cannot rectify the Register if it would interfere with the registered interest of a bona fide purchaser for value (such as the Respondent purchasers/new owners). Fraud was not relevant in this case, so the Court considered whether the Respondent purchasers/new owners had actual notice of the Applicant’s unregistered mortgage.

The Court found that whether a party received enough information to prompt inquiry and what actions the party took to investigate the matter are questions about constructive notice and are irrelevant to the actual notice analysis. As the Court did not find that the Respondent purchasers/new owners had actual notice, the Court had no authority to order rectification to restore the priority position of the Applicant’s first mortgage. The Applicant’s recourse was to seek compensation from the Land Titles Assurance Fund for the error made by the LRO. I thank our law student Lauryn Miller for her assistance in preparing this article. ◊ ~Agrilaw provides information of interest to the farming community, not legal advice. Readers should consult a legal professional about their particular circumstance.

November 2024 53

The

Rural Voice

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November 2024 55

C E N T R E

CLASSIFIED

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-------------------------------------------COMING EVENTS -------------------------------------------16th Annual Christmas Home Tour in Saugeen Shores, Friday, November 15th 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturday, November 16th 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Cost $30. Visit www.chantryislandchambettes.com for more information.

-------------------------------------------Flesherton & District Farmers' Market Christmas Market - one day only! Saturday, November 30, 9am - 2pm at the Flesherton Kinplex, 2 Highland Drive, Flesherton. 30 vendors, free admission and parking, hourly draws, great food and unique gifts!

-------------------------------------------Christkindl Market and Messiah in the barn, December 6 and 7, Friday 4:00 to 9:00pm and Saturday 2:00 to 9:00pm at Glencolton Farm near Durham. For information and tickets: christkindlfarm.com -------------------------------------------CONSTRUCTION -------------------------------------------Liquid manure tanks, bunker silos, foundations and pads. All are 100% engineered. Serving Ontario since 1968. De Jong & Sons Ltd. 519-348-0523.

-------------------------------------------DAIRY -------------------------------------------For goats or sheep, complete automatic milking system with automatic wash. Two vacuum pumps - one DeLaval and one Surge. Glass and stainless steel pipeline 1 1/2" diameter. 519-3762719.

-------------------------------------------Screened bedding sand, delivered.

Call 519-625-8242 or 519-2741490.

-------------------------------------------FOR SALE -------------------------------------------Red or white potatoes $16 for 50 pounds. McIntosh apples $16 per bushel. Seasoned split hardwood $75 per cord; stacked or in tote bags. Glenlee Gardens, Harriston 519-338-2691.

------------------------------------------FOR SALE -------------------------------------------Rosco grain bins for sale - 19' and 14' diameter. Parts available. Used grain bins wanted for parts or reuse. Closed Sundays, 519-3383920.

-------------------------------------------Twenty bushel plywood mfg. apple bins. One-time used - nine years ago, solid condition. Multi-purpose, 36 pieces. 416-879-2686 -------------------------------------------CONSTRUCTION -------------------------------------------Experienced A/Z licence driver, loader/ Excavator Operator - Fulltime position for A/Z driver, experience running heavy equipment an asset; position will include duties around yard/ on job sites as needed. Competitive wages, benefit package. Please email resume to rick@sittlergrinding.com. Office: 519-669-2456 cell 519-588-8400.

-------------------------------------------LIVESTOCK BEDDING -------------------------------------------MIRACLE FIBRE Livestock Bedding. Also, coarse wood mulch for horse and cattle walkways, wet areas around water troughs and bush lanes. Also available is dairy pack starter bedding. 519-6692456. Sittler Grinding Inc. Rick Sittler.

-------------------------------------------LIVESTOCK FOR SALE -------------------------------------------SUFFOLK SHEEP - Purebred ewe lambs, born February-March, British bloodlines. MV Negative closed flock. Florence Pullen, PO Box 715, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 519233-7896.

-------------------------------------------LIMOUSIN breeding bulls, quiet, thick, semen tested, guaranteed breeders, delivery included. Quality breeding heifers available. Posthaven Limousin, John Post, 519-766-7178; John Jr. 519-831-1869. www.posthavenlimousin.com --------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------LIVESTOCK FOR SALE -------------------------------------------Red Angus, Simmental and Red Angus-Simmental heifers bred to an easy calving bull for spring 2025 calving. Silver Springs Farms. 519599-6236 James, Joan and Robert McKinlay -------------------------------------------Limousin - Bred heifers and cows available for sale. Come pick your new herdsire prospect. Smart Limousin, Meaford, 519-372-7459, smartlimousin@gmail.com, www.smartlimousin.com -------------------------------------------RESTORATION -------------------------------------------The Olde Tyme Radio Centre antique radios, clocks, gramophones, telephones; sold/restored (vintage autoclock radio repairs). Golden Oldies Antiques For Sale. Belgrave 519357-4304, www.oldtymeradio.ca, oldetymeradiocentre@gmail.com -------------------------------------------RETAIL & GIFTS -------------------------------------------Little Falls Artisan Market - Over 100 Artisans to choose from! Large, varied selection of interesting gift ideas. Headquarters of popular 18 inch doll clothes. 83 Queen St. East, St Mary's; www.littlefallscraftersmarket.com -------------------------------------------Start your Christmas Shopping early, unique artisans/crafters, gourmet foods and custom gift baskets. Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm. Maple and Moose, Blyth (519) 523-4276 -------------------------------------------SERVICES -------------------------------------------Cronin Poured Concrete Ltd. Since 1976. Liquid manure tanks to 200'.

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Best firm quote in Ontario.

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Will make house calls in the North Huron, Perth and surrounding area.

Call Shirley in Wingham.

Cell: 1-705-434-8187.

56 The Rural Voice

-------------------------------------------SERVICES --------------------------------------------

DONALD A ANDREW ACCOUNTING Accounting & Income Tax Services for FARMS, BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS 296 Ross St., Lucknow

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-------------------------------------------WANTED -------------------------------------------Metal Robert Bell or favourite threshing machine with straw cutter and John Deere grain binder.

Phone evenings 905-983-9331.

-------------------------------------------Farmland - Long or short term.

Cash rent, share crop. Contact Paul at Hill & Hill Farms, 519-233-3218 or 519-525-3137 or email: paul.hill@tcc.on.ca --------------------------------------------

FARMERS repaint your faded coloured steel FREE QUOTES ~ FULLY INSURED

RR 1 Crediton, Ont. N0M 1M0 (near Exeter)

-------------------------------------------WANTED -------------------------------------------Young farmer looking for land rent, sharecrop, or custom work opportunities. Good environmental stewardship and professionalism.

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-------------------------------------------Scrap Cars Wanted. 20, 30, 40 yd. scrap metal bins available. We sell quality used auto parts. Wanted to buy - scrap cars, trucks, farm machinery, heavy equipment.

Kenilworth Auto Recyclers. 519323-1113.

--------------------------------------------

Call: Jim Glavin 1-800-465-4725 519-228-6247 Eugene Glavin 519-228-6801

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We are learning from the richness and sophistication of Indigenous Knowledge in our water protection work.

SURFACES • Metal (inc. galvanized & aluminum) • Wood • Concrete • Manure Pits • UV Resistant

— Jessica Perritt, Manager, Indigenous Knowledge and Reconciliation, NWMO

Learn more at nwmo.ca/water @nwmocanada

/company/nwmocanada

BUYING? SELLING? DO IT ALL IN THE CLASSIFIEDS....519-523-4311

November 2024 57

National Farmers Union – Ontario NEWSLETTER ● Strong Communities ● Sound Policies ● Sustainable Farms

Phone: 1-888-832-9638 E-mail: office@nfuontario.ca Website: www.nfuontario.ca

Autumn Au umn is abu bunda dant with food ood and farm farm events! ts!

NFU National Convention is Just Around the Corner!

Mark your calendars, The National Farmers Union’s (NFU) biggest national event of the year is coming up this November—NFU Convention! Join in on democracy-inaction from November 21-23 in Saskatoon or online. This years’ convention theme is Valuing Farming, Land, and People. Join in as we debate policy issues brought forward

by NFU members, learn from engaging speakers and presentations, (re)kindle connections with one another, gather for an Indigenous-led workshop (in-person only), and plan for collective action. It’s all here – an energizing, uplifting and inspiring experience for you, fellow farmers, farm workers and allies – in Saskatoon (and online through Zoom). Register today!

Keynote Speaker: Austin Frerick Author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, Frerick explains how corporate consolidation harms our food system by looking at the “barons” in seven different sectors: beef, dairy, coffee, hogs, grain, slaughter and grocery. Frerick will be attending in person, so we’ll have many days of great conversation in person.

Everyone is welcome - you don’t need to be a member to attend! Register today at www.nfu.ca/2024convention/

opportunities for learning and connecting. With over 30 sessions, the conference program will cover diverse topics and feature an exciting roster of speakers from across Ontario, Quebec and further afield. We are looking forward to welcoming over 300 farmers, agricultural experts, and community members to another great annual gathering!

Registration is now open! Visit efao.ca/conference to learn more and secure your spot.

NFU-O Local 344 (Grey) Farm Cooperative Round Table

Local 344 will be hosting a farmer meet-up in Grey County to discuss farm cooperatives on Sunday, November 3.

RSVP by email: nfulocal344@gmail.com ◊

Save the date!

The 2024 EFAO Conference is just around the corner.

Join EFAO in Kingston from December 3-5 for a buzzing trade show, delicious meals made with locallyproduced ingredients, and of course, a program packed with

A subscription to The Rural Voice is one of the benefits of being an NFU-O member 58 The Rural Voice

Henry Groenestege, President

Perth County

* The Rural Voice is provided to Perth County Pork Producers by the PCPPA perthcountyporkproducers@gmail.com

Pork Producers NEWSLETTER

We need the Temporary Foreign Worker program

By Erin Kollman hen meeting with local Perth County Pork producers and on a larger scale, meeting with Ontario Pork producers, one topic that seems to continue to come up in conversation is labour. The discussions revolve around how to attract new labourers, how to retain current ones, and where this new labour is coming from.

Many pork producers in the industry rely on the Agricultural Stream Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The job and tasks at hand aren’t always the easiest and are often physically demanding. This has made it hard to retain domestic labor and has since proved that the TFW program is crucial for our industry to survive.

I, Erin Kollman, farm alongside my husband, brother, and my parents on a wean-to-finish/cash crop operation in Perth County. We employ 25 workers, with seven of them being TFWs. We had a labour gap and weren’t able to find domestic employment to fill those positions on our farm. We then turned to the TFW program. Hiring our TFWs to join our team in the last few years was the easiest business decision to be made.

They were excited to work, and we were excited to have them. It allowed me, a young pork producer eager to grow the family business, to do that, and also allowed me to be a mom to my young children and spend time with them. Our TFWs came to us with a dream – a dream for a better life for their families, a new start, and a chance at permanent residency here in Canada.

The TFWs have continued to help us ensure we are meeting our production demands, upholding our high herd health, and animal welfare standards, not only on our farm but

W

for farms across the Ontario Pork Industry.

The TFW program has made headlines recently as the federal government says it will refuse to process LMIA’s (Labour Market Impact Assessment – a document showing the need for a foreign worker to fill the job) in the low wage stream if they come from areas with an unemployment rate of six percent or higher. Jobs in the food security sector and primary agriculture have since been exempt from this, as agriculture and agri-food play a crucial role in supporting our economy and food security. The federal government recognizes the vital role that temporary foreign workers play in the agriculture and food processing sectors in Canada.

The TFW program has come with some negative press lately with an article referring to abusive situations regarding TFW. When talking with

fellow Perth County Pork Producers we unfortunately understand that there are farms where this has happened, but we also know that these are few and far between. We collectively agreed that having the TFW join our farms has also meant they are joining our families and we’re here to showcase that. We offer competitive wages, a nice work environment, housing, and the feeling of family. We are truly grateful for what this program has offered not only for the TFW and a chance at a new life but for the producers and being able to grow and maintain their farms in the pork industry.

The TFW program is essential for the agriculture industry. The loss of this program would not only jeopardize the livelihoods of pork producers and their families, but also impact the wider agricultural sector and the Canadian economy as a whole.

LOCAL PORK PRODUCTS Fill your freezer with local pork products Order today from: Tanya and Darryl Terpstra (519-291-7603) or visit Leis Feeds in Milverton Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon Pork supplied by: Perth County Pork Producers BBQ services for large groups are also available, contact: perthcountyporkproducers@gmail.com for more details.

November 2024 59

Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca website: brucefederation.ca

NEWSLETTER New Business Development Manager to focus on developing agri-business Georgian College has been a strong partner in Grey-Bruce for over five decades, serving as a resource for talent development, workforce localization, and capacity building.

Today, as our region continues to grow rapidly in multiple sectors, Georgian College is committed to collaboration through research, technology transfer, and innovation. As a local hub, the team on our Owen Sound campus wants to build on our relationships to drive economic and social development.

Agribusiness is growing faster in Georgian communities than in many other parts of Ontario and Canada, a trend set to continue until at least 2031.

Georgian College’s Research and Innovation department plays an important and expanding role in supporting regional development.

Since 2020, we’ve completed 751 projects, 36 of which focused on food and farming. These numbers reflect our proven ability to support advancements in agriculture, whether through automation, digitization, or the integration of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things.

We’re excited to introduce Amanda Mejia, the new Grey-Bruce Business Development Manager for Georgian’s Research, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Department. Amanda’s role is pivotal in helping local businesses and organizations tap into Georgian College’s resources, from cutting-edge technologies to faculty expertise. With her support, Georgian is expanding its capabilities to meet the needs of our region’s sectors, including agriculture.

Amanda is focused on exploring collaborative opportunities and driving sector growth within Grey-Bruce.

Georgian’s strength lies in its ability to guide businesses of all sizes through the transition to Industry 5.0, where human-centered robotics, sustainable practices, and minimal-defect manufacturing converge to redefine

success. Our newly developed Centre for Industrial Simulation and Prototyping (CrISP) is central to this mission, providing the technology and expertise needed to support agriculture and other vital industries.

We know that technological innovation is only one part of the equation. Georgian is equally committed to reskilling and upskilling the workforce, ensuring we meet the growing demand for talent in agriculture and related fields. As farms and food production automate, we have the expertise to support advancements in technology deployment and training to operate advanced machinery.

Georgian’s new Agricultural Business diploma program was launched last month on our Barrie campus, and our Owen Sound campus plays an important role in supporting skill development for agribusiness in GreyBruce. For example, our skilled trades and industrial operations programs intersect with the needs of the agriculture sector, providing workforce training, applied research, and innovation support.

As we look to the future, Georgian College has the capabilities and commitment to be a supportive and collaborative local partner in driving agribusiness growth, fostering innovation, and creating sustainable economic development right here in Grey-Bruce. We’ve been here since 1968 and are excited to continue this journey with you Dave Shorey Executive Director, Owen Sound Campus Georgian College dave.shorey@georgiancollege.ca Amanda Mejia Business Development Manager Research, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation for Grey-Bruce Georgian College amanda.mejia@georgiancollege.ca

519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 * The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Bruce County by the BCFA Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Were Epic Events The attendances at the three days were astounding. As the Safety Days have become an anticipated event, this year we reached over 280 children in the combined three days. The cost of these events are paid for by the sponsors so there is no cost for the children to attend in various communities across Bruce County. Each year our learning modules and subjects change as there is so much to be aware of for children and adults alike. Sometimes our leaders and volunteers learn as much as the children do. The groups and organizations that help make this happen each year deserve a huge thank you and support from the community for their efforts to get the messages “Safety First”, “Safety is My Superpower” and the all important “Stop Think Act” message to everyone. These groups and organizations are as follows: Bruce County Federation of Agriculture Ontario Federation of Agriculture Howick Mutual Insurance SP Armow Wind – Kincardine Farm Credit Canada – Walkerton Grain Farmers of Ontario Bruce County Beef Farmers Alberta Beef Farmers Agricultureforlife.ca Patz Pizza – Tiverton Walkerton Agricultural Society Teeswater Agricultural Society Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – WSPS Rustic Laser and Signs – Dungannon Ontario Pork Producers Connect Equipment Chepstow and Mildmay South Bruce OPP South Bruce Fire Department – Teeswater Brockton Fire Department Municipality of Kincardine/Tiverton Fire Department Grey Bruce Public Health Unit Maple Hill Farms – Teeswater St Johns Ambulance And a special thank to all the people who help to make the three days successful events. They say “Many hands make light work” and “It takes a community to raise a child” these are both very true as well as it takes a community to look out for each other and be the one to step up and help when help is needed. If you would like to sign your child up for next year’s events, get updates or become a donor or volunteer please email me at brucesafetyday@yahoo.com.

And watch for Safety SAM and what he will teach the children at the events.SAM I am look for me when you are driving.

If you would like to become a sponsor or volunteer during these events please contact me at brucesafetyday@yahoo.com and join our team that has “Safety is my Superpower”.

Dianne Atkinson Coordinator Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Bruce County

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Bruce County by the BCFA.

60 The Rural Voice

519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 Grey County Federation Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: greyfederation.ca of Agriculture * The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Grey County by the GCFA

Well Water Testing Recently there have been discussions regarding well water and safe drinking water. The GCFA board wanted to share the following information for its members.

The details below are from the Grey Bruce Health website: publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

Fridays - Grey County route

Testing Private Drinking Water Public Health Ontario (PHO) runs a complimentary water testing program for residents on wells and other private systems.

Residents can pick up water sample collection kits and drop off water samples at 14 locations in Grey-Bruce.

Location

Municipality

Address

Chatsworth

Chatsworth

Meaford

Meaford

Ravenna

Town of the Blue Mountains

Markdale

Grey Highlands

Hopeville

Southgate

Durham

West Grey

Hanover

Hanover

Walkerton

Brockton

316837 Highway 6, RR 1 Chatsworth, ON N0H 1G0 Municipality of Meaford, 9:40 a.m.

15 Trowbridge St. W. Meaford, ON N4L 1A1 628299 Grey County Rd. 10 a.m.

119, Ravenna, ON N0H 2E0 The Municipality of Grey 11 a.m.

Highlands 206 Toronto Street South Unit 1 Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 Township of Southgate 11:40 a.m.

185567 Grey Cty. Rd. 9 Dundalk, ON N0C 1B0 Municipality of West Grey 12 p.m.

402813 Grey Road 4 RR 2 Durham, ON N0G 1R0 Hanover Civic Centre 12:20 p.m.

Municipal Office 341 10th Street Hanover, ON N4N 1P5 Municipality of Brockton 12:30 p.m.

Walkerton Community Centre 290 Durham Street West, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0

Two of the locations – Owen Sound and Walkerton – are serviced by a PHO courier, which picks up samples daily from Monday to Friday.

The other 12 locations are serviced by a courier contracted by Grey Bruce Public Health.

These locations form two courier routes.

Samples are picked up from Bruce County locations on Wednesdays and Grey County locations on Fridays. They are then transported to the Walkerton location, where the PHO courier collects them and takes them, along with the samples from Owen Sound and Walkerton, to a PHO lab in London for testing.

Please note: Water samples must be tested by PHO within 48 hours of when you collect the sample in your home to ensure sample integrity.

Therefore, it’s critical that you collect the sample and drop it off at your preferred or nearest location as close to the scheduled courier pickup time as possible. Ideally, you will do this on the scheduled pick-up day – before the courier arrives – but you can also collect the sample and drop it off the day before pick-up day.

Est. Courier Pickup Time 9 a.m.

2024 Directors Meetings November 13

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Grey County by the GCFA.

November 2024 61

Perth County Federation of Agriculture Office: 1-833-229-6834 Email: perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com Website: www.perthcountyfarmers.ca Derek Van De Walle, President

Attend the gala, nominate a farmer and apply for scholarships Get your tickets for the Gala!

Perth County Federation of Agriculture is holding our annual Harvest Gala Thursday November 21, at the Arden Park in Stratford. Join us to celebrate our 80th anniversary. We will be handing out our agriculture recitation award, along with 2 continuing scholarships. Get your tickets from any PCFA director.

Perth County 2024 Red Tie Gala in celebration of

PCFA’s 80th Anniversary

Nominate a farmer for the agriculture recitation award Do you know an outstanding individual, farm, or family from Perth County? PCFA is looking for nominations for the agriculture recitation award. This award is handed out to those that are active in the agriculture and rural community.

Please send nominations to perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com.

Apply for the Perth scholarship for agricultural students Are you a post secondary student in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year studying agriculture or ag related field? We would like you to apply for the Perth County Federation of Agriculture continuing education scholarship. This is open to Perth County OFA members. Go to our website to see more details and get the application from https://www.perthcounty farmers.ca/. This year’s nomination date has passed but be ready for next year!

Come Celebrate with us Thursday, November 21st, 2024 The Arden Park Hotel

522 Ontario St., Stratford 6:00pm Cocktail Hour  7:00pm Dinner $550.00 per table of 8  $75.00 per person

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Perth County by the PCFA.

62 The Rural Voice

#000

Index

Adam Lesperance........................13 Armstong’s Bakery ......................41 Bernie McGlynn Lumber ............49 Bervie Supply Energy ................26 Britespan Building Systems Inc ..15 Canadian Co-operative Wool ....45 Chalmers Fuels............................37 Creative China Decorating ........45 Crop Quest Inc ............................37 Cross County Eavestrough ........31 DeDell Seeds ................................2 DJ Henry Homes ........................52 DL Distributing ..............................6 Easy Lift Doors Ltd ......................21 Green Valley Heating Inc ............49 Hanover Honda ..........................29 Harold Jones Enterprises ..........45 Hayden Water Wells....................29 Hidden Home Wood Products ....63 Highland Fuels & Supply ............35 Kelly’s Electric ..............................2 Kenpal Farm Products..................11 Kia of Owen Sound......................10 Kingwood Bins....................Cover 4 Lakeside Shelving & Racking ......11 Legge Fitness ..............Back Cover Maitland Valley Cons. ................48 Mapleview Agri............................25 Mark’s Farm Supply ....................35 Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd ....47 Martin Farm Wagons ..................47 Martin’s Nursery ..........................45 Marvin L Smith Forestry..............26 May Apple Financial....................23 McLeod Water Wells Ltd ............25 MNP LLP......................................26 Morris Sachs Silo Construction ..26 Nature’s Wave Inc ......................23 North Huron Carpentry................31 Nu-Matic Systems ........................9 Nuclear Waste Management Org..57 Ontario Agriculture Week ............4 Ontario Forage Council................11 Pioneer Seeds ..............................13 RT Bolton ............................Cover 4 RCS Forestry Mulching ................8 Riverside Welding & Mfg ............14 Schweiss Doors ..........................49 Schmidt’s Drainage ....................37 Silver Creek Nursery ..................45 St. Helen’s Wood Products ........35 Steffen Well Drilling ....................12 Superior Barn Painting ......Cover 5 SWO Diesel Inc ..................Cover 5 Townsley Barn Painting ..............57 Varna Grain/Hill & Hill ..............Cover 2 W.D. Hopper & Sons Ltd ............21 Waddell Engineering ..................25

• Decking • Fencing • Ship Lap Siding • Tongue & Groove V Match • Custom Size Lumber Available • Contractor Discount Available

Specializing in White Cedar Lumber Custom Wood Moulding

Willis & Maryella Metzger 519-848-6692 8910 Concession 7 Arthur, ON

Cedar lumber in-stock

2 Mailbox Sizes Available • Stainless Steel • Steel (with powder coated paint) • CUSTOM FABRICATING • LASER CAPABILITIES • PUNCHING • SHEARING, BENDING • STEEL, STAINLESS • GALVANIZED, ALUMINUM

6650 Perth Line 88, R.R. #1 (Kurtzville) Gowanstown, ON N0G 1Y0 Ph: 519-291-4136 • Fax: 519-291-5532 info@behrns.ca

Christkindl Market 2024 December 6th & 7th Friday 4-9pm Saturday 2-9pm

Glencolton Farms Durham, Ontario

For tickets go to: www.christtkindlfarm.com

November 2024 63

HURON

42 First Avenue, Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135

County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER

Website: www.hcfa.on.ca Email: ofahuron@tcc.on.ca

Upcoming Events

Congratulations to Rachel Gras who was in the top 5 of the Ontario Queen of the Furrow Competition. She placed 4th in plowing at the IPM Queen of The Furrow Competition too.

November 1 HCFA Annual/Regional Meeting November 1 to 10 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place Toronto. www.royalfair.org November 3 Daylight Saving Time Ends November 11 Remembrance Day November 26 and 27 OFA Annual Meeting December 6 Huron County 4-H Awards Day, Libro Hall in Clinton at 7:00 pm

Slow Moving Vehicle Signs

Ontario Young Farmers Forum Ages 18 to 40 November 25th and 26th Delta Toronto Hotel and Convention Center To register and further details: oyff@jfao.on.ca

Congratulations to Dugald McIntosh on his performance at the 2024 IPM 2024 as he was top in his class every day of the competition. Dugald won the junior Champion and he qualified to attend the Canadian Championships.

Dugald also won the Barbara McAllister Memorial Scholarship.

The HCFA currently has a limited supply of Slow Moving Vehicle Signs available. Harvest is the perfect time to check your SMV signs and replace any missing, faded or damaged signs.

Please contact the HCFA office to arrange to pick up a sign.

Trespassing on Private Property Trespassing on private property continues to be a concern in the area.

The HCFA encourages our members to discuss trespassers with your family and employees. These conversations could include how to properly respond to unwanted visitors and situations that would require contacting the police.

The Ontario Provincial Police non-emergency line is 1 888 310 1122. If the situation involves threats or violence then call 911. If the trespass involves hunting or fishing you can also contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry violation reporting line at 1 877 847 7667.

HCFA “Ag Review” was delivered in October The HCFA published its Annual Paper, The Huron County Ag Review in October and it was delivered by Canada Post to all the farm mailboxes in Huron County. If you did not receive a copy please contact us and we will send you a copy and you should contact Canada Post to confirm your address is classified as a farm in their system.

This year the HCFA has a small amount of funds available to first time OYFF applicants from Huron County to help offset some of the costs of attending. Please contact the HCFA office for details.

HCFA Board Meeting

Monday, November 18th 8:00 pm Vanastra Office

OPP Non-Emergency Line 1-888-310-1122

Room for Rent

The HCFA has a board room available for rent for $40 including HST. Call the HCFA office at 519-482-9642 ext 2 to book your meetings.

Huron Federation Office Hours Monday 9­12 and 1­4 Alternate Fridays 9­12 and 1­4

The Rural Voice is provided to all OFA members in Huron County by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture

64 The Rural Voice

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Towson Bailie 519-878-1273 Office 519-268-8500

www.barnpainting.ca DORCHESTER

The Rural Reading Room Specializing in Rural Living & Local Authors

125 NATURE HOT SPOTS IN ONTARIO Expanded and updated, this book features the best parks, conservation areas and wild places. For birders, botanists, wildlife lovers, rock hounds and naturalists, it gives a fresh look at destinations that have made Ontario famous. $29.95

QUILT YOUR STORY Turn favourite t-shirts, uniforms and clothing into a memory quilt. You will find over 22 projects which include how to deconstruct and prepare your fabrics and what tools you’ll need to sew your new creation . $26.99

300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS A great soup nourishes the soul as well as the stomach. This book offers an incredible variety from traditional comfort food to exotic taste sensations. Recipes for everything from stock to meat, fish and vegetable soups. $27.95

The Old Farmer’s 2025 Almanac This 233rd edition aims once again to fulfill your expectations with its fun facts and forecasts. Also includes news, novelties and a little nonsense to carry you through another year. $9.99

125 NATURE HOT SPOTS IN ONTARIO 300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS BACKROADS OF ONTARIO THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC GARDENING CALENDAR QUILT YOUR STORY THE OLD FARMER’S 2025 ALMANAC HOW TO RAISE A READER BARNYARD BATH

Qty.

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC GARDENING CALENDAR 2025 The Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Calendar spreads BACKROADS OF ONTARIO gardening joy at every turn of the TH 6 EDITION page. Each month of this 2025 From afternoon outings to edition features the stunning weekend excursions, this latest illustration of an edible or ornamental edition features 33 backroad accompanied by mini-feature adventures, each illustrated with captions that include growing colour photos and accompanied guidance and fun facts about the by a map. $29.95 plant shown. $12.99

HOW TO RAISE A READER This book shows you how to instill the joy and timestopping pleasure of reading.

Divided into four sections, from baby through teen.

Beautifully illustrated. $29.95

$29.95 $27.95 $29.95 $12.99 $26.99 $9.99 $29.95 $12.99

Total

Total for Books Shipping & Handling $9.00 Canada Post Fuel Surcharge $4.00

Subtotal 5% GST on Subtotal Order Total

BARNYARD BATH! This bath book and washcloth set from bestselling and beloved Sandra Boynton is the perfect tub time diversion for little ones who love barnyard animals! $12.99

Send cheque or money order for full amount to: Books: North Huron Publishing P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or call and pay by credit card 519-523-4311 MAIL BOOKS TO: Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc.

Please refer to current issue for correct figures. Incorrect payment will delay delivery.

Shop

GRANDMA WISHES Did you know there’s a special wishing star that only grandmas see?

Every time a new grandchild is expected, their grandma has special hopes and dreams for her new little love. This book shares that love. A wonderful keepsake for a grandchild.

Padded hardcover book. $14.95

Early

The Rural Reading Room Specializing in Rural Living & Local Authors

A MOOSE IN A MAPLE TREE If you want to give someone a unique Canadian take on the 12 Days of Christmas this book will do it, with everything from salmon leaping to mounties and beavers building. Beautifully illustrated. $19.95

GRANDPA’S WISH LIST A grandpa has lots of special wishes for his new grandchild.

Most of all, he wishes to share moments and make memories together. A wonderful keepsake from grandfather to grandchild.

Padded hardcover. $14.95

EVERYONE CAN COOK FOR CELEBRATIONS Eric Akis provides simple festive dishes that can be made in advance with little to no fuss, guaranteeing that you won’t be stuck in the kitchen while the sound of your guests’ laughter drifts in the from the other room. $24.95

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON STUART MCLEAN THE FIRST CHRISTMAS ON THE Busy Tractor VINYL CAFE ON CD FARM With lots to see in Busy Tractor, children THE FARM NEW from the Vinyl Cafe!

It's the night before Christmas on the farm, and Discover the magic of can help out on the farm, pulling and Christmas with the farm turning the tabs. See the big tires turn, no creatures are stirring... but what's that sound Vinyl Cafe Christmas Stories animals as they experience drive the tractor through fields, and up on the rooftop? Readers will love sharing in a bundle of never-beforeVinyl Cafe their very first winter in this harvest a crop of tasty vegetables. the excitement before Santa Claus arrives in released beautifully illustrated board Children will love playing with this bright this charming twist on the classic holiday story Christmas stories by the late, and colourful board book with gentle filled with sweet farm animals, delightful great humorist and storyteller, book. $11.99 rhyming text $13.99 Stuart McLean on CD. $19.99 rhymes, and beautiful illustrations. $16.50

GRANDMA WISHES GRANDPA’S WISH LIST A MOOSE IN A MAPLE TREE EVERYONE CAN COOK FIRST CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM BUSY TRACTOR TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM STUART MCLEAN (CD) THE VINYL CAFE

Qty.

$14.95 $14.95 $19.95 $24.95 $11.99 $13.99 $16.50 $19.99

Total

Total for Books Shipping & Handling $9.00 Canada Post Fuel Surcharge $4.00

Subtotal 5% GST on Subtotal Order Total

Send cheque or money order for full amount to: Books: North Huron Publishing P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or call and pay by credit card 519-523-4311 MAIL BOOKS TO: Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc.

Please refer to current issue for correct figures. Incorrect payment will delay delivery.

Your Infrared Sauna Questions - Answered

There’s no question – Infrared Saunas are hot items! The health benefits are no secret, but for people looking to purchase one for their home, the options can be over-whelming and they have questions.

We’ve been carrying Canadian Made Real Wood Infrared Saunas for 18 years, and these are the top three questions we’ve heard… and the answers.

1.

“Will I really sweat in an Infrared Sauna?”

Answer: Yes! The difference is that Infrared is a warm, gentle heat that is perhaps best described as the warmth of sunshine, versus a blast of heat like the hot air Saunas. This is good news for anybody with a health concern where intense heat is not favorable. Remarkably, we perspire more deep toxins in an Infrared Sauna, because it’s a soothing, penetrating heat versus primarily a hot surface heat.

2.

“Who can I trust?”

Answer: First, examine the Certification Label and look for Made in Canada and CSA. Second, there should be no chemical smell inside, and no shine on the outside. Third, check EMF’s with your own meter. Lastly, go to the factory.

That’s what we do.

3.

“How do I know which Sauna is the best?”

Answer: This is probably the most important question. For anyone considering buying a Sauna online or from a mass retailer, we can say from past experience, buyer beware. For 18 years, we have been privileged to offer our clients one of the only Canadian Made, Real Cedar Wood, CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified Infrared Saunas on the market, and they are manufactured right here in Ontario for over 30 years. Visit our showrooms in Listowel and Fergus and sit in our Saunas, compare them, and make an informed decision!

Interested? Got more questions? We’d like to hear from you!

Call, email or walk in and remember to ask about our “Detox Sale” on Saunas right now!

LeggeFitness.com 1-800-695-7338 202 Main St. W., Listowel

105 Queen St W., Fergus

Your Family Fitness, Wellness and Mobility Store Since 1988!