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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-03-04, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1987. Huron farmers lauded for insurance plan Because the proposal submitted by the Huron County Crop Insur­ ance Review Committee was the first to offer a viable alternative to the present system of crop insur­ ance in more than two weeks of hearings, it made quite an impact on the committee appointed to review the matter. “Now that we’ve heard your proposal, can we take tomorrow off? ’ ’ joked Harry Pelissero, chair­ man of the federal-provincial task force and former president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture at the public hearing in Stratford last Thursday. The major theme to emerge in the hearings, which began Febru­ ary 10 in Fort Frances, has been a demand for all-risk insurance to cover crop production costs. But this raises the spectre of surplus production and lower prices, which inturnlcadsto production con­ trols, according to Roger George, a director of the OFA and a member of the ten-man review committee. itagainatthe hearingin Walkerton last Friday. “I’m very happy with the way it went,’’ he said. “I think we really made an impact.’’ The review committee is in the midst of a five-week tour, talking to farmers across Ontario. After the final hearing, it will make recom­ mendations to both federal and provincial agriculture ministries, based on its conclusions. Under the present system, the federal government matches the farmer’s contribution to the insur­ ance program dollar for dollar, while the province pays the costs of administering the program. In 1986, farmers paid $20 million in premiums, matched by another $20 million from the senior govern- ment, while Ontario chipped in another $4 million. Jr. Farmers' membership month set students at Blyth Public School last week, in recognition of National Wildlife Week across Canada. MNR officers will speak to more than 1,500 children in the Wingham MNR District in the next few weeks, to discuss the meaning of conservation with them, and to tell them how each may share in the conservation effort. In the doorway is teacher Mrs. Pat Hulley. So the committee was pleasantly surprised to hear the plan presen­ ted by the Huron committee, an independent group of 16 farmers headed by John Van Beers of RR 1, Blyth, and fully supported by the Huron Federation of Agriculture. The plan recommends that instead of insuring only 80 per cent of a normal crop, in the way the plan now works, which means that the farmer has to absorb the first 20 per cent of a loss,the insurance plan should cover the entire loss. Bev Hill of Varna, spokesman for the Huron contingent, said that there could still be a 20-80 split of the risk, but that it could be done in a different way. Farmers should be able to insure 100 per cent of a normal yield (figured at the average yield of the best seven of the past eight years), and if the harvest falls short of that amount, the insurance commission should pay on 80 per cent of the loss. The farmer would suffer the remaining 20 per cent of the loss. For example, if half of a $100,000 crop was lost, the commission’s share would be 80 per cent, or $40,000, while the farmer’s loss would be $.’0,000. Under rhe existing system, the commission would pay $30,000, while the farmer would lose $20,000. Using figures taken from actual township records, Mr. Hill said that this one change to crop insurance coverage would elimi­ nate the need for spot coverage, another high priority set out in briefs to the review committee. Mr. Van Beers said that several commission members later said that they were impressed with the Huron presentation, and suggest­ ed that any group presenting a brief over the next few weeks would do well to follow this example. Mr. Pelissero also said that the review committee may want to meet with the Huron committee again after the hearings end in Toronto on April 2. “We have been trying to get other commodity groups to take this approach, to ask for insurance to cover actual losses, rather than support for a guaranteed yield,’’ Mr. Van Beers said. He added that the Ontario Corn Producers’ Asso- ciation had adopted the Huron brief verbatim, and were to present Dateline Thursday, March5,1987 - Poultry, Sheep, Swine and Goat 4-H Leaders’ Meeting, OMAF Board­ room, Clinton 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. 1987 - 4-H Horse Leaders’ Meeting, OMAF Boardroom, Clinton 8:00 p.m. An opportunity for young people to become involved in their community, and to develop leader­ ship qualities is coming in March. The month of March has been set aside as being ‘Membership Month’ for the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario. The Junior Farmer program is set up to provide opportunities for young people, especially those in rural Ontario, to help develop themselves personally, and to better their community. That’s the Junior Farmer motto “Self Help and Community Betterment. ’ ’ The fundamentals of the Junior Farmer clubs are to give one an opportunity to be involved in an organized group, and experience the respon- w sibilities of leadership. In addition, the organization gives one a chance to explore talents and potential in almostany area one wishes, as well as helping one learn how to understand and work with people and be involved in projects of service to the local communities and beyond. Any person between the ages of 15 and 29 can belong. At present, there are about 185 Junior Farmers in Huron County alone; mostly in rural, but some in urban communi­ ties. The first mention of a similar organization was in 1914, when agricultural short courses were conducted by the Agricultural Representative in several coun­ ties.Asa re suit of these,Junior Farmer Improvement Associa­ tions were developed to provide an opportunity for young men to discuss farming. About the same time the first Junior Institutes were formed for rural young women, mainly to assist with the war effort. Eventually, Junior Farmer Im­ provement Associations and Jun­ ior Institutes banded together to form County Associations. Both groups met the same night in the same place, but in different rooms for their appropriate programs, with possibly a social hour later that evening. These were the forerunners of present Junior Farmer Clubs. In 1944, with a need for better organization, the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario was formed and included both young men and women. Members of a Junior Farmer Club are their own leaders and initiate, organize and carry out their club programs. Meetings include business and recreation, and are held at least once a month. The local clubs are constantly planning community involvement projects. These might include providing an entertainment pro­ gram for mentally handicapped or a nursing home, or it might be gathering roadside littler, spon­ soring a 4-H club, conducting an agricultural involvement activity, or raising money for a charity through car washes, dances and food booths at fairs. There’s also ‘just plain fun’ - campouts, dances, swimming, barbeques, variety shows, talent nights, baseball, volleyball and broomball games. Eachyear selected Junior Farm­ ers from across the province take NEW t^lea JKarfiet Opening on Main St. Brussels Don’t miss out in Renting a Booth! Call today for more info 887-9669 part in national and international travel programs. Enthusiastic sel­ ectants travel to neighbouring provinces, Europe, United States, South America or Australia. In return, Junior Farmer members host delegates from other coun­ tries that are involved in the Rural Youth Program. The association is proud that Junior Farmers is a training ground for many leaders in society and government. It has been the YOU'LL CLEAN WITH CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING! It's a profitable way to get buyers. Thou­ sands of readers of our Classified section will see your ad and take action* Take the first step to getting into the action by pick­ ing up the phone and placing your Classified ad with us — today! P.O. BOX 492, BLYTH, ONTARIO NOM 1H0 P.O. BOX 152, BRUSSELS, ONTARIO NOG 1H0 ______________2 basis for self awareness, organiza­ tional skills, teamwork, time man­ agement, Parliamentary proce­ dures and a sense of accomplish­ ment. Anyone wishing to find out more information on the Junior Farmer program may contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, or County President, Robert Hunk- ing at 523-4316 or Clinton and District Club President, Linda Cunningham at 526-7557.