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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-12-23, Page 3Opportunities for Christian farmers There's an opportunity for principled leadership in farming and agriculture for the Christian Farmers Federation of On- tario (CFFO), an American farm economist told the Federation's annual meeting in Guelph in early December. The industry is ready to listen to ideas for change because it's in a financial crisis that's world-wide and because' the old policies are seen to be failing, said Ed Lot- terman of the University of Minnesota at St. Paul. "I really see a window of opportunity for sound leadership in agriculture in public policy, in farm practices, in our role as stewards of the land and the example we set for others," he said. Lotterman identified factors which create the opportunity to exercise leader- ship. "The financial crisis in agriculture has made people willing to question past policies because we see that some of these policies were mistaken or haven't led in the direction we wanted or have had unintentional results," he said. "Past policies have resulted in high levels of financial stress, forced liquida- tions, bankruptcies, severe emotional stress on farm families, an exodus of young people from agriculture, small businesses in farming towns in a lot of stress and deteriorating rural institutions such as schools, churches and civic organizations," he said. Lotterman noted a willingness to ques- tion past policies in the U.S. "People are looking at price support policies that keep production way above where the market will clear and at subsidized credit policies and tax policies such as investment tax credits and accelerated depreciation that really favour large farms. U.S. export sub- sidies have hurt friends such as Canada," he said. Even the Europeans who have been taught by history that food security and self-sufficiency are extremely important have started to question subsidy and other policies which cause such problems. "Even the European Economic Com- munity is starting to question, if not the direction of past policies, at least the scope and 'how far they are willing to go," he said. Canada's farm policies have been more careful than those of the United States, but even here there have been problems, noting that stability programs rapidly become permanent production subsidies and that passing production quotas onto the next generation is obviously a knotty problem Farmers are starting to recognize that many of the practices that we follow in agriculture are not good stewardship, are detrimental to the environment, are detrimental to the creation, according to Lotterman. "It's virtually impossible now to get a water sample from a farm well anywhere in Iowa without traces of some kind of pesticide," he said. "You really can't find pure water any more." "Governments and -other sectors are more willing to question and negotiate," he said. "The stock market crash created a willingness to recognize that the economic policies pursued by the U.S. over the last 7 years have been, to put it mildly, extremely unwise." Lotterman praised the Christian Farmers for building a solid organization that has earned credibility and said now's the time to use it. "Change resulting from principled leadership is much more possi- ble than it has been in the last decade," he said. "The example, the demonstration, the leadership of a small group like this (CFFO) has a lot of leverage. Your actions will be multiplied many times." Lotterman warned "there is a danger if we don't act positively" because the same world-wide conditions could tip developments in a nasty direction - towards increased attention on narrow self interest, increased competition instead of co-operation and a tendancy to "fight things out rather than co-operate." He challenged the farmers, "I think you have a real obligation...to use what you have here. To do that you must move from the political arena into the open public square." "You are one of the few groups that pro- vides a real alternative to the interest - group liberalism that dominates U.S. and Canadian public policy and the wider you demonstrate that, the broader your con- tribution will become," he added. "The local, national and global situations are ripe for this kind of action and groups like yours can make a real contribution." Missing CRIME Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruc- are ask- ing the public's assistance in the invest . ga- tion of missing pets m the Hepworth, On- tario area. Wiarton Ontario Provincial Police report that sometime during the evening November 28th, 1987 two family dogs mysteriously disappeared from a pen beside a residence on Con. 7, Amabel Twp.. One of the dogs is described as a black poo- dle, with a leather collar, approximately 18 -years -old. The other is described as a white miniature spitz, with a brown leather collar. It is believed the dogs were removed .. from the pen by unknown person(s). Wiarton O.P.P. also report that this is not an isolated occurence, that several dogs have disappeared, in the Hepworth area some being found at a later time dean, having been shot. If you can help, Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of person(s) responsible for this or any other crime. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-265-3787. You need not identify yourself, and all information is strictly confidential. ._. ft isis *PINas ift lot rat ig Egk. rr�eraoi�1S s s$ * ' 9)rr ;, tea +da st 4 a<W iZSIAYi{•.2 W.JJ * aq Rte%' 4:eM Vi."' 0:41$1711 MERRY itriteratla liNgialrakOM Warm holiday tidings to you and your families. Thanks for the trust you've shown in us. Keith Adams & Rhonda Thornton The Co-operators Ins. 8 Alfred St., Wingham 357-3739 Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 23, 1987—Page 3 Noel From Donna, Sue & Staff If we could. we'd send.a bouquet of love and thanks to youfor your welcome patronage in the past. Have a great Christmas. Valley Green Flowers LUCKNOW 528-2033 •••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• RUST US WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS MQRIIING MEMORIES! Clip this coupon &• save. 10°'° OFF Dec. 28/87 - Jan. 2/88 We use �ever�/ Christmasf come rye. •1110•00•00000i00 •61•00•00000000•i►e• 414 •6i, ••• UMBACH PHARMACY LUCKNOW 5283004