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| OVSGA BACKS STRUGGLING FARMERS, CONFIRMS FARM SHOW SPEAKERS February 16, 2001 Directors of the Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association (OVSGA) have officially expressed their support for struggling Eastern Ontario farmers by calling for financial assistance from the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture (Please see accompanying letter). "With the 2001 growing season almost upon us, many grains and oilseeds farmers may not be able to afford to put a crop in the ground," said OVSGA president Ed Findlay. "This association would like to add its voice to others now calling for immediate and adequate relief." In a discussion about the issue at their Feb. 12 meeting in Kemptville, several directors noted that some farmers are facing bankruptcy due to skyrocketing production costs and unfair competition backed by trade-distorting subsidies in the United States and European Union. "Our governments must level the playing field and guarantee to Canadians an ongoing safe and reliable food supply," said Findlay, a Kars farmer. In other business, Ottawa Councillor Doug Thompson was confirmed as one of two speakers at the official opening of the association-sponsored Ottawa Valley Farm Show set for Lansdowne Park March 14-16. Chair of Ottawa's new agricultural and rural affairs committee, Thompson will bring greetings from council and discuss the municipal approach to rural issues. To be held at 11.30 am at the Seed Growers' booth in the Aberdeen Pavilion, opening ceremonies for the 74th edition of the show will also feature Sam Dagg, chair of the organizing committee for the 2001 International Plowing Match to be held next September at Navan. In celebration of the 10th annual Prestigious Pedigreed Seed Sale to be overseen by Smiths Falls auctioneer John Joynt in the Aberdeen March 16 at 12 noon, directors decided to buy and offer up a quality piece of Canadian agricultural-theme art along with the usual bags of seed. Over its history, the sale has raised $30,000 for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Under the direction of Inkerman's Kathy Hardy, the growers also finalized a special display in their Aberdeen booth of ... beans, beans, beans, the many varieties of soybeans, white and colored beans, with taste-testing of some mouth-watering recipes. Finally, livestock committee chairman Walter Foster of Richmond announced that 14 cattle breeds will be on display in the Sprung Structure, with four cattle auctions featuring 30 head of Simmental, 20 Limousin, 30 Hereford and 40 Holstein sponsored by Eastern Breeders Inc. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tom Van Dusen, General Manager, 613-445-3407. Posted: Monday, February 19, 2001 |