The Rural Voice, 1998-08, Page 65i
PERTH 11,'
County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER
John Nyenhuis, President
519-393-6539
• The Rural Voice is provided to Perth
County Pork Producers by the PCPPA
Farmers are under scrutiny today
Any opinions expressed herein may
not necessarily reflect the views of
the Perth County Pork Producers'
Association.
Ever since I started farming, I
have tried to have, as much as
possible, a positive attitude and to
convey this to others. Now I know
that being positive is more about my
character than my occupation, but my
outlook can certainly affect my job.
To be professional in what I do is
how I try to live out a positive
attitude. I do not want to be known as
someone who whines and complains
and neither do I want to be viewed as
incompetent. When someone looks at
me as a farmer I hope they think I
know what I am doing and that I can
be trusted in the business of
producing food.
At no time has our image as
farmers come under more scrutiny
than today. It is not because the
general public has developed a
sudden interest in farming. Let us be
honest. For years we have basically
been ignored. Oh, the consuming
public has known we are here, but
has certainly never been interested in
how we do our job. Many have
considered farming a second-class
occupation. Why would you want to
farm? Long hours, hard work, below-
average pay, dirty job — are you
nuts? In the past, society has
generally left us alone on our quaint,
little farms to do our own thing.
Almost overnight, (to outsiders) those
rustic non -threatening farms have
become large, highly -mechanized
operations. At the same time, modern
farms are going head to head with the
baby boomer generation's need for
more space. We are told that only 20
per cent of rural residents are actually
farming. We are sleeping in the same
bed with a partner who wants to roll
around.
How should we react to our non -
farming friends? Firstly, adopt the
attitude that you are a professional at
what you do. This does not mean
becoming arrogant; it means pursuing
farming methods that will put your
operation in the best possible
standing. Secondly, treat the
environment preciously. Thirdly,
regard the right to farm as a privilege,
not as the right to do what we please.
We need less "in your face" mentality
and more desire to co -exist with
nature and neighbours. Fourthly,
embrace quality control measures like
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Points). They will go a long
way to satisfying consumers about
product quality, animal welfare and
PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS'
PORK PRODUCTS
• Smoked Pork Chops • Fresh Pork Chops
• Stuffed Loin Chops • Smoked Sausage
• Smoked Cheddar Sausage • Bacon Burgers
• Teriyaki Pork Steaks • Vittorio's BBQ Sauce
AVAILABLE FROM:
Fred de Martines (Sebr.) 393-6812
Martin van Bakel (Dublin) 345-2666
Walter Bosch (Monkton) 356-9000
Ted Keller (Mitchell) 348-9836
environmental concerns. Lastly, put a
positive spin on all that you do.
Become involved in a project like a
rural fair that seeks to help people
understand what we do for a living.
Or treat your neighbour to a
barbecue. Who knows, he or she may
want to start farming too.0
Submitted by Larry Skinner
Newsworthy Notes ..
Many fairs in and around the
county have chosen pigs as their
theme this year. Here in Listowel
we have been going "hog wild" in
preparation for the fair. Hats off to
Deb Campbell, promotion co-
ordinator, who put out the
suggestion months ago.
By now the news of Thorn Apple
Valley in Detroit closing its hog
slaughtering facilities is old. But
something positive may come of it.
Ontario processors can pick up the
slack. For years they have been
running under capacity and now,
just when Maple Leaf wants to
expand to two shifts, they may get
more hogs.
The Progressive Pork Producers'
Co-operative as many know, has
had a change of leadership. I have
been a shareholder from the start,
but have never marketed hogs
through the co-op. Recently, I have
been getting information from the
PPPC that reflects both an
openness about the current
situation and a definite resolve to
use their collective strength to find a
better market for their hogs. This
direction is good to see.
Take note of the Perth County
Pork Producers' golf tournament on
August 19 in Mitchell. Contact
Joanne Groenestege at 519-393-
5532 for tee -off times.
— submitted by Larry Skinner
AUGUST 1998 61