The Rural Voice, 1992-08, Page 58BRUCE
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County Farmers by the BCFA.
Prevent problems before they become a headache
Sometimes when I am asked by a
member or farmer for help in resolving a
problem, I find that for a variety of
reasons we are unable to reach the
solution asked for. It is unfortunate that
some of these problems could have been
prevented or solved if the right actions
had been taken earlier on in the process.
The clue to these precautions is often
in what the farmer says to me. These are
some of the things I hear, and my
observations on them.
"But I didn't know ..."
We sometimes feel as though the
government has regulations on every-
thing we do, and we can't be expected to
know them all. But some of these regu-
lations are designed to protect you, so
they're worth finding out about. Before
you buy that new tractor, hire that con-
tractor, or decide to dig a pond, etc., find
out what your rights and limitations are.
The little bit of time spent investiga-
ting is guaranteed to be less than the time
spent fighting it out when problems arise.
And the cost of a permit to do certain
things may prevent lawyer bills later on.
Contact your local OMAF office, the
OFA, your township clerk, or the
appropriate Ministry for information on
whether your project has regulations
covering it. As a bonus you may
discover up-to-date information that will
be helpful in your decision or plans.
"It makes sense to me."
Isn't it interesting that common sense
just isn't all that common? What makes
perfect sense to you may not be so
obvious to someone else. This applies
especially to regulations which, of
necessity, are designed to recognize the
needs of all those involved, especially
the public good. The challenge here is to
determine what makes sense and meets
the requirements.
"It's not my fault."
The problem may not be of your
making, but it still may be yours to re-
solve. To do this you need to make allies
of the people in the best position to help
you solve it. Complaining to your neigh-
bour over the back fence won't do it.
When you see a problem arising, or
if you're not sure about something, talk
to the others involved. Give them a
chance to help you solve things — they
are probably just as interested in a
satisfactory conclusion as you are. And
remember, communication involves
listening too.
Even though you feel strongly that
54 THE RURAL VOICE
you are not to blame, it may require a
little bending on your part to get results.
If you show understanding and co-
operation, chances are you'll get the
same in return.
"1 said this, and he said that."
Are you sure?
Sometimes, especially when the
discussion becomes intense, we think we
know what we said or heard, but the
intended message was not the same.
Ask questions for clarification. When
points are made or an agreement is
reached, review what's been agreed to
and write it down.
If it's a phone conversation the same
holds true. Make notes while you talk,
and write a letter outlining what was
agreed to, by whom, and when. Do it
right away, while it's fresh in your mind.
Keep a photocopy and send the original.
In the case of repairs, for instance,
get a written estimate of what's needed
and what it will cost. Keep copies of
estimates, bills, guarantees or anything
to do with that particular piece of
machinery. By documenting as you go
along, you will have a better case if
needed later on, and possibly prevent
misunderstandings along the way.
"I'll never deal with them again."
This is often said as a threat, or to
justify creating animosity. "Never" is a
long time.
Think of what made you deal with
this business or person in the first place.
Price? Reputation? Convenience? Nec-
essity? Any of these or other reasons
could lead you to want to go back some
time in the future. And they're not in
business to drive customers away! So
ANNUAL MEETING
November 7, 1992
Ripley Arena
REGIONAL MEETING
October 7, 1992 8:00 p.m.
OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton
N.I.S.A. 1991
Courses are available in Bruce County.
AUGUST 14, 1992
With the changes for 1991 we are
offering courses 10 update farmers.
To register please call OFA
Office in Hanover at 364-3050.
work with them. Tap into resources they
have available, such as the manufactur-
er's representative, or expert consultants.
Threats may let off steam and make
you feel better for a few minutes, but
will they get you what you really want?
"Maybe 1 should have called
sooner."
When things go wrong sometimes
we're just so upset or frustrated we avoid
dealing with it altogether. Or we spend
months doing a slow burn until a second
problem arises because the first one was
never dealt with.
In any case, it is better to deal with
the problem early on in the proceedings,
as delay usually just makes things worse.
Sometimes while you fret, the warranty
runs out, or the permit expires or the
project progresses to the point where
there is no way to tum back the clock.
And on top of your frustration is the
feeling all along that you should be
doing something. Do it. Then you can
get on with the solution, which is energy
far better spent.
If, after your best efforts you're still
not satisfied, there are avenues of help or
appeal available. These may be sought
out through the same places you went to
for your information in the first place. If
you have followed the suggestions
outlined here, you'll have less chance of
needing them.0
Gertie Blake
OFA Field Representative
APPRECIATION NIGHT
for
MAC BOLTON
on his retirement as
Bruce County Agricultural
Representative
Knights of Columbus Hall
Walkerton, Hwy 9
Friday, August 14, 1992
Social Hour, Dinner and Dance
$15.00
Contact OMAF office, Walkerton
or your local farm organization.
Bruce County
Federation of Agriculture
Directors' Meeting
Monday, August 24
OMAF Boardroom, Walkerton
8:00 p.m.
Members are welcome to attend