HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-01-04, Page 114
.0pinion
Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, January 4, 1989—Page 11
Farm
Farm families have been the backbone
of Canadian agriculture since the first set-
tlement on Canadian soil. .They form our
rural communities and are the basis for
their economy. Farm families are the life-
blood i f rural life as we know it today.
If the mother is the heart, the father is
the cornerstone of the family. Traditional-
ly, he is the head and the provider for fami-
ly needs.I its generally portrayed as a
stable; authoritative figure, but can be a
loving, gentle teacher, guide and leader. A
conscientious father shows a .good exam-
ple through his faith beliefs, morals,
values and especially honest hard work.
Let's look at a farmer under stress. He
or she tends to take the burden upon
himself or herself. Because men tend to
identify themselves in relation to their
vocation and work, they may begin to
doubt their ability to continue this way of
life. Immediately, irrational decisions
may be made. Communication difficulties
and withdrawal from relationships may
follow. Because women generally identify
40
amily
themselves with the relationship with their
husbands, irritability, short temperedness
and depression may easily lead to marital
problems. Some secondary signs may in-
clude alcohol abuse, gambling, heavy
smoking or other disruptive habits.
According to Queen's Bush Rural
Ministry, more than 75 per cent of calls
received have financial stress to blame as
the culprit. The fact is that present-day
farthing tends to compound even small
problems. Adverse weather, diseases,
floating interest rates, commodity prices,
or equipment failure can drive a stressed
farmer over the edge. Does society really
care?
Maybe not, but you and I do! However,
we rust be willing to extend a warm, help-
ing hand to our suffering neighbours.
While debt 'review boards ponder mor-
tgages and land ownership, you and I must
comfort the broken families, cheer unhap-
py spouses and love the hurting children.
What we really need is "price for pro-
duct." A fair price. A profit. We all have
under stress
the right to be paid a fair price for spent
labour.
Until farmers are paid fairly for family
labour, the farm family is doomed to suf-
fer much. And you and I suffer with them.
'89 Livestock tour
Together, we must rally to action. Action
to save the farm, and by so doing,,the foun-
dation of our communities - the family!
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce County Federation of Agriculture
Public Relations Committee
'The Livestock Management Tour, spon-
sored by the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food, will be held in the
Kemptville-Ottawa area on March
6th -10th, 1989. The tour is an opportunity
for 90 young farmers from across Ontario
to visit approximately 20 different
livestock operations in Renfrew, Lanark,
Ottawa -Carleton and Grenville Counties to
observe and discuss various management
practices. Delegates will also evaluate
livestock at these locations, as well- as visit
a number of livestock/agricultural
businesses.
Participants to the Livestock Manage-
ment Tour must:
a) be at least 18 years of age (suggested
age range of delegates is 18-35)
b) be actively involved or interested in the
day to day operation of a farm
c) be willing to learn new farm manage-
ment practices and new methods of
evaluating livestock
The registration fee for this 5 day pro-
gram is $200.00. Registration deadline is
January 27th at the Clinton OMAF Office.
The tour is undoubtedly one of the best op-
portunities for young farmers or future
farmers to experience Ontario's livestock
industry.
For more details or to register for this
great opportunity, contact Don Pullen or
Nick Geleynse at the Clinton OMAF Office,
FULL FIGURE FASHIONS
REQ.
SIZES 14 - 20
PLUS SIZES 3a - 44
343 Durham
Market
•KINCARDINEARDINE
E
ircttrdes stock Items 396-2455
Undergarments & New Arrivals