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The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 66BRUCE Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca website: www.ofa.on.calbruce County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 ' The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce County Farmers by the BCFA. What's a family farm "business" While in attendance at the BCFA annual meeting our guest speaker MPP Steve Peters asked for a definition of a family farm. My intent is to address said question. I would however like to add the word "business" to family farm. With the huge investment needed in lagd. buildings, equipment, livestock, quota. etc. family can only be viewed as a business. Even the personal investment iri knowledge, expertise and technology is far greater than many non-farm or non -agriculture -related enterprises. Some similarities do exist while others are not relative. Examples could be working holidays, overtime pay or job security. As a farm business it is our job to operate a profitable enterprise within acceptable workplace guidelines. The new legislation for agricultural employees hopes to address some of these concerns. Also the NISA program, soon to be enhanced, is designed to level out the high or low income years. Many questions have surfaced from the lack of knowledge of this program. At the BCFA last executive meeting we discussed planning an information meeting to inform farmers of the many benefits. Look forward to a very rewarding meeting Friday, December 13 in Elmwood. Be sure to attend regardless of commodity grown, size of operation or profit margins. A NISA account is mandatory for government assistance. Let's get back to the Family Farm issue. My definition of a family farm is simply one that is owned and operated within a family unit. Two questions always arise with the words owned and operated. First owned. If the backing or mortgage holder is a bank, feed BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTORS' MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2002 8:00 P.M. Sprucedale Agromart, R.R. #2, Walkerton 25th sideroad Brant (north off of former Hwy #4 - east of Walkerton) Members are welcome to attend. 62 THE RURAL VOICE company, private individual or parent is of no consequence. The business is still a family farm. Secondly the operation portion. Even a farm that has no hired employees depends on hired expertise such as accountants, feed consultants, crop or financial advisors. Therefore size is not a factor in determining a family farm business. An argument being that larger family farms can financially support more family members. There are however many more important and immediate problems than concerning ourselves with proper name classification. Our income levels on farms need to be more in proportion with our investment levels. We need to be financially compensated for the time and knowledge required to operate today's technologically -advanced operations. Family farm business operators should be rewarded for their environmental stewardship that ensures clean air and water for all. More communication between rural and urban population is needed to convey the positive attributes of healthy food grown and or produced in Canada. The benefits for those growing or partaking shared. I still believe agriculture's largest gains are obtained inside our own borders. We need stronger bonds between the agriculture sector and all levels of government starting with our municipalities through to MPs, MPPs and ministers. Alliances must be formed between agriculture and industry to position both work forces for technological advancements that reward contributing partners as well as processors or end user. The list of concerns for agriculture will always be evolving. Don't let that stop you from operating a successful family farm business. By the time this article goes to print the 2002 OFA Convention will be over. Once again I will have had the privilege of attending and voting on your behalf. Numerous resolutions will have been passed or defeated and various election vacancies filled. For information on any of the events that took place or your opinion on this article please feel free to contact me at home 519-363-6814.0 — Submitted by Mark Hamel Brant Township Director IMPORTANT NISA INFORMATION MEETING FOR ALL FARMERS Friday, December 13, 2002 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Elmwood Community Centre Find out the latest information on how the NISA Program could work for you and if you qualify! Meeting sponsored by the Bruce Federation of Agriculture The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture would like to wish a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Prosperous and Happy New Year to all the farm families in Bruce County.