The Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-03-17, Page 75Queen's Bush Rural Ministry
answered. 190. new calls in '92
by Sue Ann Ellis - comfortably in their own,home."
"Perhaps they feel in control for
the first time in a long time."
After talking to the client, the
counsellor tries to prioritize which
problem to deal with first and then
refers them to who can help them
the most.
"We tryto hook them up with
whoever is most compatible with
what they need."
Trimble stresses that it is never
too late to go for help --there are
other things out there if farming
fails you.
"There is life after farming."
While Ireland's ' strengths lie in
the financial aspects, Trimble said
her strength tends to be more in the
family counselling and relation-
ships.
"I have a background in teaching
and guidance counselling --it just
seems to come naturally for me."
Trimble also farms full-time and
thinks this is important in her
counselling as she is able to relate
to farmers' problems.
Their hotline was busier the last
months of 1992 and Trimble
attributes this, to bad crops:
"The bad crops last year meant
poorer feed quality that caused
problems with farmers' stock.
People not having food on the table
or fuel money was a problem run -
•turn to page 20a
TEESWATER--The Queen's
Bush Rural Ministry (QBRM)
applied to OMAF last year when
they noticed the need for their
services had greatly increased.
The Ministry was incorporated in
1987 to offer help qo financially
struggling farmers --free.
High interest rates in the early
1980's affected many farmers and
"everything hit the fan in about
1984," said Judy Trimble, counsel..
lor for the ministry.
Many government agencies : (for
unknown reasons) were aimed at
getting theatanner off the farm, she
said. 4
"In the fall of 1986, the United
Church started talking about the
problems the farmers were facing
and approved the incorporation of
the Queens Bush Rural Miiistry:"
Over the years, other churches
have joined the organization. It is
funded by locally donated ' funds
and the congregations of these
churches. The . Board of Directors
for the QBRM is composed of
about 12 people representing the
various denominations.
Trimble hasbeen a part-time
counsellor since July of last year
but her funding ends the end of
March.
"We are not talking just to
farmers anymore. We get contacted
Judy Trimble
by more small businesses all the
time."
Trimble and the full-time co-
ordinator, Brian Ireland, cover Grey
and Bruce counties, north Welling-
ton and some of Huron county.
If the need arises, they will travel
as far as Dufferin, said Trimble.
"Last year, we answered 190 new
calls, people we have never talked
to before."
The problems have changed over
the last .couple of years, said
Trimble.
' "Eighty per cent ofthe problems
used to be financial. Now, there are
more mental health problems,
depression and family problems."
• After the initial telephone contact,
-the counsellor will ,generally visit
the client at their home as "they
seem to be able to speak more
Farm Progress ';13 -Page 19A
MANURE
STORAGE
'Round or 5quari-
CONCRETE
.Covered or ()pen
Frei Estimate & Design
Any Type- of Building,
also HOUSE •FO1JNDATIt)NS
SCOTT McLENNAN
BUILDING CONTRACTOR LTD.
Phone: Glen 357-3267
or Scott 335-6261
Wroxeter, Ont. NOG 2X0
. MILLS
SEPTIC TANK
SERVICE
Installation and Service
of
MILK HOUSE WASTE SYSTEMS
Residential Septic Systems
24 HR. SEPTIC PUMPING SERVICE
Free Estimates
3 56-2346
Serving Perth & Huron. Counties for 20 years.
ATTENTION!
Farmers and Horneowners
CURB Program, Grants Available
The CURB Program (Clean Up Rural Beaches) is offering financial assistance to farmers and homeowners for
specific projects to improve water quality ins rivers and streams. Grants are available for" the repair or rebuild-
ing of private septic systems., construction of manure storages, rilkhouse waste water disposal systems, and
to fence livestock from watercourses.
Eligible Items
Grant Rate Grant Ceiling
• Manure Storage
• Mitkhouse Waste
Disposal Systems
• Fencing Livestock From Rivers
• Private Septic Systemic
50%
50%
75%
50%
$12,000
$5,000 .
$10,000
$2,000
This program is targeted at agricultural anddz'ural residential areas Located upstream of swimming beaches. Financial assistance
is limited to those applicants who are polluting, watercourses, Proposed projects, with the greatest potential for improving water
quality will'be considered first for funding.
The CURB Program is funded by the Ministry of Environrhent, and your local Conservation Authority.
For—iriformat:inn n- plication: vonta�t
Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
Box 127, Wroxeter,
NOG 2X0
(519) 335-3557
•
Ontario
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
R R. #3, Exeter, Ontario
NOM 1S5
(51.9) 235-2610