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| wp Sougog Citizen ~ Tu day , February 9, 1993 "- Buchanan pledges help for struggling Ont. farms Ontario farmers will be able R to take advantage of new 1 ice tailored to their needs, Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Elmer Buchanan announced at a news conference Feb.8. Buchanan said OMAF will fund the development of course materials in farm finance and farm law to broaden the range of training available to farmers, and provide funds to farmers experiencing financial stress so that they can pay for professional assistance. He also said the ministry will seek to expand the role of credit unions and caisses populaires in farm financing through funding the development of training materials for staff of these financial institutions. "Through this initiative, OMAF is demonstrating its commitment to long-term financial stability in the farm sector in Ontario," Buchanan said. The Education and Expertise initiative becomes the second component of OMAF's Agricultural Investment Strategy, which offers Ontario farmers long-term tools for financial arrangements of their farms. The first component, the Commodity Loan Program, Enjoy Valentine's Day BRUNCH or DINNER at Stables on Sunday, Feb. 14th. Complimentary Roses for the Ladies. Visit the Stables Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Saturday and Sunday Evenings until the end of February 1993 and enjoy our ... . 3 COURSE DINNER SPECIAL Your Choice of Entree .. N - Filet Mignon, Snow Crab Legs or Sauteed Chicken Breast with Fresh Tomato & Herbs. Your Choice of Dessert plus Coffee or Tea. Cold Buffet & Soup - $7.95 Hot & Cold Buffet - $10.95 Children 5to 10 -'1/2 Price Children under 5 - FREE Sen outions am Wt Recess y; but LE it's ahuays mice to know you're coming. i OPEN EVENINGS for DINNER 5 PM 10 11 PM * OPEN SUNDAYS from 11 AM 10.9 PM: Closed Mor. & Tuss. introduced in June, 1992, has already provided $16.2 million in loans to Ontario farmers. Other components to' be introduced in 1993 include the rural loan and mortgage pool program, the new farmer apprentice program and the privatg mortgage guarantee program. The Ontario government has committed $120 million over five years to the Agricultural Investment Strategy, developed from the recommendations of the Agricultural Finance Review Committee. "We needed a long- term approach to offer new options for financing and_ training for farmers," the Minister said. The Professional Services Assistance Program will give farmers access to expert advice to assist them in making crucial financial decisions. The multi-year program will find professional assistance for farmers, allowing them to seek help in developing long-term business and production plans, negotiating with creditors, or assessing current financial problems and their long-term effects. Education in Farm Finance and Law, the second segment of the initiative, will fund the development of courses, videos, and other educational material to help farmers expand their knowledge of farm finance and law. The program will provide beginning and expanding farmers with information and training on the effective use of credit to calculate costs of credit and the debt servicing capacity of their business, and how to negotiate with lenders on the cost of credit, terms of. repayment and the meaning of various security documents. Pilot courses will be offered in seven locations across Ontario in late February and early March. BIG. BROTHERS /BIG SISTERS © OF NORTH DURHAM QO PORT PERRY CENTENNIAL LANES FER Rth to 13th ILLIONS It's Bow! for Millions week for Big Brothers/blg Sisters, and for those bowling there are some great prizes for the highest pledge totals. How about $1000. worth of furniture, a freezer, a patch work quilt and a goose down duvet. Sound good? Then get working on those pledges. In photo are Bowl for Million organizers Keith Elliott (right) and John Darby and at left Is Ralph Ballard of Homestead Furniture which is contributing to the prizes for the top pledge getters. Screening policy for 4-H volunteers Adults who want to become volunteers with 4-H groups in Ontario will face a screening procedure. This wads one of several strategies adopted by Ontario 4-H council at the annual meeting held January 16 and 17 in Toronto. The screening policy for adult volunteers will include an application, reference check, criminal record check and an interview. Other strategies adopted by delegates at the annual meeting include maintaining r Applications are Now Being Received at the Scugog Memorial Library for the => wishing FIR. oid Bren shir Application forms available at the Library. Closing date for applications is March 15th, 1993. ART 'BURSARY any resident of Scugog Makes a Truly Unique Gift for Your . VALET To order and record your voice message, call 1-800-465-CHIP "Hi, I'm Chip the full-sized talking teddy that . captures your message in YOUR VOICE ona # "digital wiewehip Creste yor gm personal. | message for your loved ome on any occasion. (416) 986-0566 || camaie financial viability, gffective communication, hanced visibility and the overall strengthening of the 4-H associations. And the new mission statement for 4-H is "To Provide Leadership to the Ontario 4-H Program". "Not only did the 140 delegates to the annual meeting approve this mission, they illustrated its meaning by making some very important decisions for the future of 4-H," said Al Payne, the new Ontario Council president. Also at the meeting, about $1600 was raised by a silent auction. This money will be used for 4-H activities and was three times what organizers had hoped to raise through the auction. Durham Region was represented at this annual meeting by Craig Larmer and Shelley Holliday from Durham East and Dorothy Shier and Liz Noakes from Durham West.