Ontario MPPs visit Perth County agriculture

August 19, 2005

Perth-Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson brought a number of his fellow Members of Provincial Parliament to view some of Perth County’s agricultural enterprises on Aug. 19th– part of the Agriculture 101 program started last year.

Although the program was interrupted by the high winds and heavy rains that hit the Listowel area, only the horse-drawn wagon and buggy tours of the 2005 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo site had to be cancelled. David Carson, host farmer of the 2005 IPM and several from the organizing committee, spoke to the MPPs and provided details of the event set for Sept. 20 to 24th.

The MPPs, some of their families and staff, gathered at David Carson’s farm and auction centre east of Listowel and began the day with brunch served by Perth County’s pork and egg producers. Perth County Federation of Agriculture President Robert Martin hosted the visitors. Each MPP was matched with two “buddies” from the farming community to ensure any questions about the tour sites could be answered.

Their first stop was at Berlett Farms in Wallace Township. There, John and Mike Berlett gave tours and described their dairy, cash crop, grain elevator and custom farm work enterprises.

The tour buses took the MPPs and other guests to tour Listowel Greenhouses where Frank Sluys provided details of the horticultural crops and flowers grown for sale to the public.

Dr. Rae Fischer hosted the group at their next stop, Fisher Feeds Ltd., a major producer of livestock feeds and supplements.

The event concluded with a barbecue and speeches at the Perth County Agricultural Centre at Rostock. Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, addressed the crowd of about 70 people at this location.

She said Premier McGuinty “is committed to increasing the importance of the agriculture industry in Ontario.” She said he wants to put more focus on the food processing sector in Ontario. Minister Dombrowsky said the provincial government will work to convince Ontario residents of the health value to be found in food produced in Ontario.

“This is a ministry that is very dear to me, and I want to make sure agriculture thrives,” Minister Dombrowsky told the crowd.

Ron Bonnett, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said all farm organizations in Ontario will continue to work together with Minister Dombrowsky to develop the full potential of the industry. Referring to a recent meeting with the minister, he said farm leaders are optimistic about the future of the industry under the new minister.

MPP Wilkinson said it is important that “we spend some time talking and creating a better understanding” for all the partners – government and agriculture.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, had an opportunity to speak with Ron Bonnett, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, during the Agriculture 101 barbecue in Rostock – Perth County.

Frank Sluys, left, talked about his Listowel Greenhouses operation when MPPs from Queen’s Park and visitors from the Perth County Federation of Agriculture visited his operation as part of Agriculture 101 on Aug. 19th. Some of the MPPs visible in this photo include Deb Matthews (green t-shirt) of London North Centre, Parliamentary Assistant to the minister of Community and Social Services; and Kathleen Wynne (blue and white sleeveless top second from right), Don Valley West, P.A. to the minister of education.

OFA Related Material:

•  MPPs spend day touring Perth County farms  - August 23, 2004