The Russell Federation of Agriculture (RFA) and Russell Township are working in partnership on a pilot project to address the danger of mud on the roads caused by agricultural activities.

Last fall, Réjean Pommainville, provincial director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) for the counties of Prescott, Russell, Stormont and Glengarry, received a call from The Nation Municipality about a road accident in the Saint-Isidore area. The circumstances surrounding the accident indicated that mud on the road from recent farming work may have been a contributing factor.

Following this incident, the RFA contacted Russell Township about starting a pilot project to help prevent accidents that might be caused by mud on the roads. The township agreed to let the RFA develop road signs for local farmers to post that will warn motorists that there may be mud on the road, and advising them to slow down and be careful.

The signs, one in English and one in French, will be available to farmers starting this fall. The RFA reminds local farmers that they are responsible for cleaning off any mud or other debris left on areas roads from their farming work.