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U2,03c. The Women's Institute. in its 97th year is calling all women to come and meet their neighbors. make new friends, talk about their community, share ideas and learn new skills The WI is an educational force which helps women to help themselves. it is open to all women, over the age of to, regardless of creed. race or religion. It offers its members the opportunity to broaden their horizons and to expand their knowledge on various subjects and lo learn new ways of doing things. Women's Institute, once a strictly rural organization, now invites all women who are interested in the environment, home management, municipal and world affairs to come together to lean, about these things and much more, including how to survive the recession of the 90s. A force of 15 women has been trained to assist in organizing new branches of the Women's Institute in both rural and urban communities. For further infomatinn Emmet: Dorothy Beedham 342-5772. - , Contactnomlh Bee - F 0 Ti m mm mm ld. gum u If; (/59 Courses 7 The Grower Pesticide Safety Course Is a good example of what govern- ment, Industry and farm groups can do to reduce the environmental cone Wed., Feb. 9 - Northumberland Wheat Producers' Annual Meeting, B p.rn., Ag. Service Centre, Brighton. Thurs., Feb. 10 7 Zone lo, Egg Producers' Marketing Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.. Best Western Hotel, Cobourg. Sun., Feb. 13 A Ontario Berry Growers' Association's Annual Meeting, Niagara Falls. Phone 416-649-2101. Tues, Feb. 15 - Turf, Tree and Landscape Pesticide Ceruitcatiun Course, 9 a.m., Ag. Service Centre, Brighton. Phone 519-674-5456. Wed., Feb. 16 - Quinte No-Till Seminar. 9:30 a.m.. Creekside Hall, Brighton. Phone 613-475, 1630 for pre-registration. Feb. " a 17 - Ontario Horticultural Conference, Regal Constellation Hotel, Toronto. Feb. 16 & 17 _. Ontario Com Producers' Association's Annual Meeting, London. Flt. Feb. 18 A 4-H Leader Appreciation Night. Morganston United Church. Grower Pesticide Safety Farmers must update pesticide Safety courses Agricultural News 82. Views D.F. Young, Agricultural Rep. MEETINGS cern surrounding the use of pesticides In our envi- ronment. The one-day grower pes- ticide safety courses, which began in 1987 on a volunteer basis. were so successful that, by 1991, the Pesticides Act made it mandatory for all farmers to become certified to use certain pesticides, Since that time, most commer- cial crop growers in Ontario have taken part in the one-day certifica- tion Courses which now require renewal or receru- i'ication every ttve years. Presently growers are required to produce proof of certification in order to buy pesticides scheduled as l, 2 or 5 7 this class) cation includes most farmer-used commercial pesticides on the market. The courses are designed to increase the grower's knowledge of pesticide safety and, thus. lower the risk of personal injury and environmental damage. Topics covered under the course include pesti- cide toxicity. poisoning. protective clothing and equipment. label interpre- tation, legal requirements for trrmsporta0n, storage and disposal, and envi- ronmental concerns. The fee for the one-day course is $40 which includes a Grower Pesticide Safety Manual. Many courses are again scheduled across Ontario for the winter of 1994 as the original group come up for recertification. We courses have been held In Northumberland and a third and fourth are scheduled for March. To come into a facility like this Is very traumatic. (Dogs) can really be an lee- breaker for people coming in," Mrs. Collier says. The Instruments behind this so-called "dog therapy" are her own dogs, Calhoun. a slx-year-old Nova Scoua As a staff member in the activation department at the home for the aged the Baltimore resident is regu- larly looking fur ways to boost the physical, emo- tional and mental wellhe- ing of tle el.derly residents. “For the 1Li%iriGiiii'i she has resorted to canine assistance with this task. tog therapy' a hit at Golden Plough By mu Eeldwf Paula Collier's job ts go- ing to the dogs. but the 161 residents of the Golden Plough Lodge don't seem to mind. Anyone interested ts asked to register through the OMAF offices on a first-come, first-served basis. Growers who feel uneasy about the certtlV cation process can take advantage of a free educa- tional video tape which is also available through the OMAF offices, A turf, tree and land- scaped pesticide safety course is also being offered at various locar lions across the province this year. The course is aimed at unlicensed part- time seasonal employees of landscape and lawn care companies, golf course operators. nursery businesses, and grounds The compyuonship of a dog cannot be underesti- mated, she satd in an interview. In Calhoun's case the el, derly residents can pet, sit with, walk or just talk to L._ For registration and information on the varl- ous sources and videos, contact the Ridgelown College of Agricultural Technology at 519-674- 5456. Junior Farmers‘ Fiftieth r1uclt-toiling retriever. and Axel, a 'seven-week-old, chocolate-coloured Labra- dor retriever. - She has the permission of Plough management to bring the dogs to work with her. She then arranges for one or the other to visit with residents throughout the May, then takes the animal home with her at the end of her shift. While some may see the treatment as all bark, no bite. Mrs. Collier says she can vouch for its effectiveness In this area, the course is scheduled for'Febr 15. at the Brighton OMAF offices. Cost of the course. which is administered through the Ridgetown College of Continuing Education. is $70 per per- son. In addition, there are a number. of other resource materials avail- able through the college in video form. maintenance llrms, Anniversary "7' Many rural residents of Mrs. Collier said there This year the associa- tton is celebrating 50 years of activities at a gala banquet and dance, March 12, in the Grand Ballroom of the Americana Resort in Niagara Falls. The dead- line for tickets is February 18. Ontario will have fond memories of their past affiliation with the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario. can be a lot of positive rein- forcement generated Just from these simple actions. Dogs are attentive listeners and don't talk back. she said. As well, many of the seniors can relate to ani- mals, having had pets themselves P' She said the presence of her dogs tn the Plough is much more than just for visitation purposes. A The theme is "Reach Dut -- Make A Difference," as the organization looks ahead to plan the future. TWie......- ,_., __ - Calhoun has proved a plus in residents' Phys- lotherapy - something that can be dimcult to get people to do. For instance, Mrs. Collier said it has proven easier to get rest- dents to walk a cerlaln dis- tance If they have an Incen- tive to do so, such as being able to feed or pet the dog at the end of their exercise. m: on“ .4. u..._ N" Mrs. Collier said the selection of the dog for this The association is ask- Ing all members, past and present. for their support in raising funds for the 50th Anniversary job is paramount. She will typlcally look for a young puppy that exhibits proper temperament and obedl- ence. She Is currently breaking in puppy. Axel. by taking It into the Plough and "soeializing" him In the environment. The training doesnt end there. She put Calhoun through extensive abedV ence lessons and even a dog therapist course through the American- based Delta Society. She expects to do the same with Banquet tickets (or'the 12 cost $28. Those Inter- ested should contact Jody Wudskou, 485 Woodbine Avenue, Toronto, M4E 2H5. or phone 4164590 0335. Mrs, Collier doesn't see this form of animal therapy covering all the needs of the residents but says it does boost they: self-esteem. Contributors to the endowment fund will receive a tax deduction receipt and donors will have satisfaction in know. ing they helped in build- ing the future of rural leaders for years to come. It could also become a more common feature In long-term care institutions in future. she said. Endowment Fund. The fund serves as the associ- ation's charity for the 1994 year with the Inter- est raised on the fund used to ensure the contin- uation of future leader- ship programs.