Laughter reigns at RRFA’s 25th anniversary

Laughter rang throughout the Stratton Centennial Hall on Saturday night as the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture celebrated its 25th anniversary.
A number of founders of the local chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture joined more than 130 other members for dinner and entertainment to celebrate the year—and a quarter-century of networking in the farming industry.
Business was brief over dinner, during which members listened to short speeches from RRFA president Bernie Zimmerman, Member Services Rep Betty Salchert, and NDP leader and local MPP Howard Hampton.
“Our membership is up this year, which is great, but we also have on the walls lists of members from the past 25 years,” noted Salchert.
Outgoing provincial director Linda Armstrong also briefly thanked members for their support.
“I have totally and truly enjoyed the last few years travelling to Toronto and representing Northwestern Ontario,” said Armstrong. “It’s been excellent—the friendships and the camaraderie.”
Zimmerman outlined ongoing issues the RRFA has been working with, including concerns from elk farmers about the impact of local elk re-introduction programs, the lack of a large animal vet in the district, and the province’s “Nutrient Management” legislation.
“That’s always an issue that we’re always dealing with all the time,” he noted.
Hampton charged the provincial government does not understand the needs of the agricultural industry in the north.
“I would urge you to have a look at the [nutrient management legislation],” he suggested. “This is really legislation to deal with a southern Ontario problem and it may have some unintended effects on Northwestern Ontario.”
Hampton also suggested the ag industry may get more attention as the Conservatives head into a leadership race to replace Premier Mike Harris, who announced his sudden resignation last week.
Also Saturday, the RRFA elected its board of directors for 2002, with Zimmerman staying on as president.
Serving with Zimmerman on the board this year will be directors Reg Kaus, Rudy Sinninghe, Wade Desserre, Sue Boersma, Jason Teeple, James Gibson, Ken Fisher, and Kim Jo Bliss Calder.
Angela Halvorsen will remain as treasurer, Shirley Morrish as rural voice reporter, and Betty Salchert as Member Services Rep.
The other big news of the evening saw Tom Morrish receive the Bill Gibson Memorial Award for outstanding contribution in the agricultural community.
Morrish currently is president of the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association and has always worked closely with the district’s 4-H members among other contributions.
Everyone enjoyed a buffet dinner prepared by Debby Zimmerman, then to cap off the evening, those on hand rocked with laughter as four district couples were lined up to play the “Newly-Weds Game” to test the strength of their relationships.
Others arrived later in the evening for a dance featuring the Glen Hart band.