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The Rural Voice, 1998-03, Page 39says. Certainly there has been an enthusiastic response by some producers. Hazlitt says she originally expected to conduct four or five workshops but ended up doing nine, from Kemptville in the east to St. Joseph's Island near Sault Ste. Marie. With all the travel involved, she's been busy most of the winter. A few workshop participants have been new producers. "Some people are very leery about it and some are curious and come out to the workshops. They discover it is a tool they can use to their advantage. Some said they were against it to begin with but they can see the advantages after taking the workshop." Still, she says, the 130 producers involved are a long way from the more than 2,000 producers across Ontario, most of whom are not even members of the producers' association. A summer tour of the province will let more producers know about the program and more workshops are likely in the fall. While the association stresses the STORAGE TANKS STEEL- FIBERGLASS - STAINLESS 500 - 20,000 NEW - USED 6-9,000 Ltrs. Square Oil Storage PETER CRISP EQUIPMENT LONDON 1-519-455-8920 Fax 1-519-455-4224 program is voluntary, some producers are worried it's the thin edge of the wedge that will lead to compulsion down the line. The workshops were compared to the early pesticide safety certification course by the producer we spoke to. There too, the program began with little pressure but became compul- sory if you wanted to use sprays. "Sure we could qualify for the Seal of Quality," the producer said, "but I'm worried down the road they're going to change it. Another aPhone 519-369-5780 Fax: 519-369-3129 + ' + + ` 4 year or two they may go to stiffer rules." The producer also objects to paying for colleagues to inspect the operation. "I don't think we really need it," says the producer, though he approved of OMAFRA's inspectors before government cutbacks ended that service. In the long run, as usual, consumers will decide the fate of the program, Hazlitt says. "Once they start asking for the Seal of Quality producers will want to have it."0 •bio MAliO4,40a�► 404,40 Y►44444444+ill►44,4 Get co/ e +�► Eccles Maple Syrup Supply ` R.R. #2, Durham, ON NOG IRO For information, equipment, or a brochure - give us a call Maple Syrup Equipment for all your sugaring needs Grey/Bruce dealer Waterloo/Small Quality, Performance, Service, Tradition i Trees A Trees i Trees ik It Pays to Plant Trees! We have an extensive information package available about your tree planting options for 1998. For a copy call us! Protect and Maintain your trees. "Young Tree" Signs Special Offer - up to 10 signs $2.00/sign -10 or more signs $1.50/sign YOUNG TREES 1'R( YI'I (:"I' A iv,t A For Information about tree planting or 'young tree' signs p ease contact: Ken Maronets, Stewardship Co-ordinator c/o OMNR Clinton Area, P.O. Box 819, 100 Don St., Clinton, Ont. NOM 1L0 Tel: 519-482-3428 Pert Stewards ip Networ "Helping Perth County Communities Practice Resource Stewardship" http ://www3.sy m pati coca/stewa rd shi p.ontario/prog ram . ht m WANTED•People interested in volunteering to do work with • others and Natural Resources. MARCH 1998 35