Let's meet in March!

Alberta farm writers in the vicinity of Red Deer in mid-March may want to take in an informal AFWA meeting at the Black Knight Inn.

AFWA president Tracey Feist promises an informal agenda, including discussion of the AFWA 1997 Annual Meeting and Tour, the development of an AFWA information brochure, and the possibility of Alberta hosting the 'Millennium' CFWF Conference in the year 2000.

Farm writers will meet in the lobby of the Black Knight Inn in Red Deer at 4 p.m. on March 19 (during the Alberta Pork Congress, Mar. 18-20). Please contact Tracey if you are able to attend, at 403-932-7595, fax 403-932-7462, or email Tracey at traceyfeist@compuserve.com.

Please remit 1997 dues

Invoices for 1997-98 AFWA dues are included in this issue of Scoops. Please remit your dues today, to ensure your name is included in the 1997 CFWF Membership Roster, due out in June.

Tour plans under way

It seems like only yesterday that Alberta farm writers were once again together, touring a portion of our vast and varied province.

Well, plans are under way to once again meet and mingle, as the days draw closer to the 1997 AFWA Annual Meeting and Tour.

Although dates are not yet set, AFWA president Tracey Feist says the 1997 fall tour will take place in the Brooks area. She notes that although some farm writers may remember stopping briefly in Brooks during the 1990 tour, this year's event will focus specifically in that area of the province.

Possible tour locations include the Eastern Irrigation District, as well as Lakeside.

Tracey invites farm writers to submit their tour ideas to her via phone, fax or email. Or, AFWA members can meet with her in March at the Alberta Pork Congress (see Let's meet in March! story, this page).

Plans are also under way for the annual CFWF Conference, to be held October 23-26 at Niagara Falls, Ontario. More information on that meeting will be included in the March issue of The Farm Journalist.

Centre introduces program

A new program is being implemented to teach Alberta children all about agriculture.

The Multi-Cultural Heritage Centre at Stony Plain is expanding its programs to include agriculture and environmental curriculum.

According to Jeanette Smith, coordinator of the agriculture portion of the agenda, the new program will be called Fun On The Farm.

"The program is geared right now from Kindergarten to Grade 4, and we'll develop them eventually right up to Grade 12."

Smith adds the curriculum used in the program is from Alberta Agriculture's Agriculture In The Classroom curriculum.

Although the program isn't getting fully under way until this fall, some farm tours are planned this spring with the cooperation of at least one Alberta farmer.

"We'll start with some farm tours for school children this spring, and those will continue as part of the program."

For more information, call 403-963-2777.

News, views requested

Although Scoops has been accepted readily by Alberta farm writers, and is being lauded as the precursor of other regional farm writer newsletters, it hasn't been without its challenges.

The idea behind publishing a newsletter for Alberta farm writers was to keep them abreast of farm writer happenings, provincial agricultural news, and to inform them of future ag events in the province. Sticking to this game plan has been difficult.

After all, I am only one woman. And as such, without your help, I am finding it difficult to bring to you the 'scoop' of what's happening in our province.

Granted, over the past couple of years, a few of you have regularly let me know of an event here, an ag item there. But, as you can see from this issue of Scoops, I could certainly use more help.

So, have you recently married? Had a child? Changed jobs? Moved? Do you know of an upcoming ag event? Where and when?

Are you taking on a special ag project with your company/organization? Who's helping you? What are the details? What is the goal of the project?

You see, it isn't that difficult. It is, however, for one person alone. And although I'm not complaining about my current place of residence, I have found that it IS difficult to 'keep in touch' with the rest of the province from up here.

I needn't remind anyone that I am only a phone/fax call away, and with current technology, am also hooked up to the Internet and email system.

So PLEASE, let's ensure that Scoops continues to inform and entertain us, drawing us all closer together in this vast region we call Alberta.

Ph/fax: 403-926-2157
Email: jkanters@telusplanet.net

AFWA people

Mary MacArthur is the proud new mommy of a baby girl. Louise Marie Erskine was born July 26, 1996, allowing mom Mary to rest (???) for six months from her job as Alberta correspondent for The Western Producer. Mary started back to her Western Producer job in early February.

Terry Hockaday and Meristem Information Resources Ltd. has a new address and phone number. Terry can be reached at W.P.O. Box 73060, Calgary, T2W 6E4. Ph 543-7420, fax 543-7419.

Earl Olson has been found! Last September, you may remember we had trouble locating honorary life member of the AFWA -- his June issue of Scoops was returned 'address unknown'. We're happy to report Earl is doing quite well, living the 'good life' at Rimbey. His new address is RR3, Site 5, Box 8, Rimbey, T0C 2J0. Ph 843-2681.

New members

Nolan Berg, product manager with Novartis (formerly CIBA), 850 - 10655 Southport Rd. S.W., Calgary, T2W 4Y1. Ph 777-2905, fax 777-2929.

Will Verboven, manager of the Alberta Sheep & Wool Commission, 203, 2916 - 19 St. N.E., Calgary, T2E 6Y9. Ph 735-5111, fax 735-5110, email sheep@cia.com.

Calgary hosts Congress

by Donna Fleury
fleuryd@cadvision.com

The 11th International Farm Management Congress, under the theme of 'Managing Into The 21st Century', will be held at the University of Calgary from July 14-19, 1997.

The program includes a well-rounded and highly respected list of speakers presenting plenary and over 90 contributed papers.

The Congress boasts a record number of field trips focusing on Canada's innovative agricultural production, agri-business, and value-added industries. As well, a number of pre- and post-Congress tours have been planned around the event.

The Congress is held in conjunction with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and the Canadian Farm Business Council. English has been selected as the official language for all Congresses and Congress materials.

Congresses have been hosted by several countries, including Germany, Israel, Nigeria, United States (Minnesota), New Zealand, Denmark, Hungary and England. The 1999 Congress is slated to be hosted by South Africa.

For more information, visit the Congress website at www.re.ualberta.ca/ifma.htm, or email Margaret-Anne Stroh at mastroh@acs.ucalgary.ca, or call her at 403-220-6229, fax 403-284-4184.

Copyright law and research

International treaties being proposed by the World Intellectual Property Organization could inhibit common uses of published research.

Even browsing the Internet could be subject to copyright if the treaties are approved.

The treaties propose that digital information such as the display of an image from the Internet on a computer screen could be as copyrighted. One related article of the proposed treaties that has also caused concern defines the rights of a creator to receive royalties when copyrighted digital information is reproduced.

Such treaties could make it impossible for Canada to allow what's commonly known as fair dealing - royalty-free copies of small portions of a copyrighted work for private study or research purposes. While Canadian law allows a person to make a paper copy of a paper work, the Geneva treaty would prohibit a researcher from printing a paper copy of a digital work. The treaties also propose separate intellectual property protection for databases.

AgBiotech Bulletin

Coming agricultural events in Alberta

MARCH

1997 Alberta Ram Test Station
March 5
Olds College Farm, Olds

Ag-Expo and North American Seed Fair
"Sowing the Seeds of Change"
March 5-8
Whoop-Up Park, Lethbridge

Angora Goat Kidding Seminar
March 9
Frangora Farm, Hay Lakes

National Agriculture Week
March 9-15, 1997

Native Fruit (Chokecherry) Workshop
March 11
Killam Community Centre, Killam

Is High Tech for Your Farm?
March 11
Three Hills Provincial Building

Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals
March 12
Agriculture Centre, Lethbridge

Problem Weed Control for Reduced Tillage
March 12
Cardston

Direct Seeding into Sod Seminar
March 12
Bentley

A Safe Farm is a Great Place to Grow
National Farm Safety Week
March 12 - 19

AgVenture Opportunities Plus
March 13
Provincial Building, Three Hills

Agriculture Week Dinner
March 14
Olds College Alumni Centre, Olds

Smoky River Agricultural Trade Show
March 14-16
Knights of Columbus Hall, Arena &
Curling Rink, Falher

Alberta Ginseng Association Annual Meeting
March 14-15
Margaret Parson's Theatre, Red Deer

APRIL

Pruning Workshop
April 6
Devonian Botanic Garden, Edmonton

ARFEX 97 (Alberta Restaurant & Food Expo)
April 15-16
Northland AgriCom, Edmonton

Whoop-Up Quarter Horse Circuit
April 18-19
Lethbridge & District Exhibition Pavilion, Lethbridge

Grocery Showcase West 97
April 21-22
Round Up Centre, Stampede Park,
Calgary

MAY

National Composting Week
April 28 - May 4
Olds College, Composting Technology Centre

High Technology Trade Show
May 29-31
Exhibition Pavilion, Lethbridge

High Adventure Sports, Leisure & Tourism Show
May 29-31
Exhibition Pavilion, Lethbridge

Credits