The Rural Voice, 1985-01, Page 441,tee, ee, 7ed&&a ffqueultwce
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario
Regional Directors: Arnold Oliver, Grey North, 371-2440; Clay Scwegler, Grey East, 924-2770; Bill Pullen, South Grey, 923-6734.
Pilot project for Grey/Bruce
by Phyllis Coulter
Bruce and Grey County farmers
have made themselves heard in lobby-
ing circles and have presented their
concerns about agriculture to the
politicians and to people who can
help affect change. These farmers are
now beginning to see results of their
lobbying efforts.
In December, Minister of Agri-
culture John Wise, announced the
beginning of a three-month pilot pro-
ject to deal with farmers facing
serious financial pressures and whose
survival is in doubt.
This board "represents a genuine
effort to address the acute problems
faced by farmers in arrears and/or
unable to meet financial obligations,
when other approaches have not been
satisfactory for whatever reason,"
says Grey -Bruce M.P., Dr. Gary Gur-
bin.
The Board is unique in several
respects. It has been organized by an
ad hoc group of Bruce -Grey farmers
in co-operation with federal and pro-
vincial politicians.
The seven -person Board has the co-
operation and participation of the
Canadian Bankers' Association, the
Farm Credit Corporation, and the
Ontario Farmers' Adjustment Assis-
tance Program, as well as local and
provincial farm organizations, ex-
plains Gurbin.
A particular farm problem will be
heard on a voluntary basis and pro-
posals will be brought forward for
voluntary consideration by the
farmer and the lenders.
Access to this project is through the
County Federations of Agriculture,
the Cattlemen's Association, or the
Bruce -Grey Federal Riding Office
(Zenith 36810).
The usefulness of the review board
will ultimately depend on the level of
confidence and co-operation that ac-
company its decisions, says Gurbin.
ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING,
INCOME TAX,
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- professional service
- reasonable cost
Jacobs & Company
Management Accountants
448 10th. Avenue
Hanover
364-5888
The unfortunate but apparent need
for this process can in no way detract
from the necessity for long-term
sound agricultural policy, he adds.
"This pilot project may provide a
model for the rest of Canada, and at
the very least, should identify urgent
needs to both levels of senior govern-
ment."
What the establishment of the
board means to the farmer is a chance
to rationalize his situation, says
Wayne Robertson of R.R. 2, Port
Elgin, president of the Bruce Federa-
tion of Agriculture. He was involved
with the preliminary work in getting
this project off the ground. Robert-
son says that the program has been
established to help a farmer who
can't deal with FCC or his banker, to
give him time to restructure his
business. UCO received the right and
privilege through court to make
creditors stand aside while they re-
structured. This board, says Robert-
son gives farmers the same rights in
an informal (not legislated) way.❑
hisex
DAY OLD CHICKS
and
STARTED PULLETS
from
FISHER POULTRY
FARM INC.
AUTON, ONT NOG 1CO
519-665-7711
Niyt1OWAY FARMS
•1[SHARES
• LA
• LAHORACE
• OUROC
►% uw /:vs, - and Suns
PERFORMANCE TESTED
Quality swine, performance tested; gilts and boars from a herd
with very good mothering ability. QS No. 1 York x Landrace
gilts, open or bred, available on a regular basis. We also have
excellent boars in the following breeds: York, Landrace, Duroc,
Hampshire and Duroc x Hamp crossbred.
Contact Wayne Fear at
MONOWAY FARMS
6 miles west of Brussels on Huron Rd. #16
BRUSSELS 519.887.6647 or call Mike at 519-887-6485
at noon or after 6 p.m.
42 THE RURAL VOICE