by Mason Vye

At the Lambton Farm Safety Association’s annual general meeting and banquet, guest speaker OPP Sgt. Tim Ives provided a comprehensive overview of the requirements for driving farm vehicles on public roads. During his talk, he answered many questions from those attending the event.

Sandy Miller of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services also gave a presentation at the meeting, held February 5th at the Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming.  She shared her experience as a recent guest at a local farm owned by the Dickenson family. 

Miller also mentioned the Back to Ag program offered by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, Farm Credit Canada and the Rick Hansen Foundation. The program funds the cost of adaptive technology up to $10,000 for farmers or agricultural workers that have experienced a traumatic injury.

Lambton Farm Safety Association Chairman Bob Woolvett emphasized the importance of farm safety saying Ontario has the highest number of farm deaths in Canada. According to statistics from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, there were 43 farm-related deaths in Canada last year, 11 of which occurred in Ontario.

The association held its election and all nominees were acclaimed. Bob Woolvett will continue to serve as chairman, Agnes Dickenson as vice-chair, and Earle Woolaver as Secretary & Treasurer.

Dignitaries in attendance at the meeting were Lambton Warden Bev MacDougall, Plympton-Wyoming Coun. Bob Woolvett,  Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Lonnie Napper, Brooke-Alvinston Mayor Don McGugan, St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold, and Warwick Coun. Jackie Rombouts.