 |
 |
|
| Canada's farming capital Doug Thompson, Sam Dagg open OVFS 2001 Agriculture pumps more than $400-million a year into the economy of the newly-expanded City of Ottawa, councillor DOug Thompson said as he and IPM 2001 chair Sam Dagg officially opened the 74th edition of the Ottawa Valley Farm Show Wednesday morning in the Aberdeen Pavilion. Thompson, head of council's new Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, pledged his support to the industry, which accounts for 90 per cent of the land area within the expanded boundaries of Canada's capital. Quoting from the recent study compiled by Dr. Harry Cummings of the University of Guelph's school of rural economic development, he noted that farming within the city's boundaries is greater than that of Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton combined, truly making Ottawa "Canada's farming capital". He resoundingly supported the thousands gathered outside for the Day of Action protest against the lack of federal support for agriculture, saying "if you ate today thank a farmer". "We must support our friends with unqualified assistance". Dagg noted that the 2001 "Rural Expo" to be held near Navan is the fifth IPM to be held in or near Ottawa and detailed the tasks set out for the hundreds of volunteers on 55 separate committees who are readying the welcome mat for the tens of thousands of visitors expected to visit the 800 exhibits, four entertainment stages, plowing competitions, antique and historical areas, lifestyles section and Machines in Motion display. Rural Expo will be held Sept. 18 - 22. Perhaps most exciting is the development of a new rye grass that will be planted in the Machines in Motion area. The variety, which can be grown in many Third World countries, including India, can be cut in the morning and baled in the afternoon and will be unveiled in Navan, Dagg said. Posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 |