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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Agriculture 2001, 2001-03-14, Page 22November 12 - 30, 2001 CHRISTCHURCH - AUCKLAND Escorted • Hotel & Farm stays • Royal Agricultural and Pastoral Show 'Experience the culture, the scenery, the agriculture and the open-door hospitality" *February 2002 departure also available $5595.00 CAD pp/dbl FARM TOURS July 4 - 15, 2001 SWITZERLAND - AUSTRIA GERMANY - FRANCE Escorted • Rhine cruise • Farm visits • Mt. Pilatus • Medieval towns "Discover Europe's Heartland" $2995.00 CAD Ploidhl for complete details contact Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel 3 1 1 Main Street, Exeter 1 -800-265-7024 email: nancvni0 ettravel.com Nancy Mills ext.242 www. ettravel .Dom/g roups/sig . as p f3i•INGiNG RES0,114CiS • WORL RtiRak ONT/00 AVICIAIUM Rai Somuas PAGE A-2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2001. Brussels area farmer a young voice on area ag boards By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Though just 23 years old Dave Lewington, of RR2, Brussels, has been a farmer at heart for as long as he can remember. Having grown up on a mixed operation owned by his parents Ernie and Annette, Lewington has known forever what he wanted to do. But with all the challenges agricul- turists face today, he couldn't just go quietly on about his business, not if he wanted to have a voice in some of the issues. Lewington discovered early that everyone does not share his passion for farming. "You could say I was encouraged to look at other options, but I never really listened," he says. A high school guidance counsellor, when told of Lewington's career choice, told him it was "essentially a waste of marks to farm," said Lewington. "In high school there was quite a lot of pressure to look at post-secondary education." While opting not to pursue the four years of university, Lewington took a couple of independent study cours- es from the University of Guelph while becoming his ,father's herd manager. "I have a lot of input into what we do and do a lot of the day- to-day things with the pigs," says the younger Lewington. The operation has 100 sows farrow to finish, 60 feeder cattle and 50 ewes. As well they cash crop 350 acres of their own land and rent 120 acres. Young, intelligent, and deeply committed to the family farm, Lewington did not go unnoticed by some of the industry's movers and shakers. He was approached by cur- rent Huron County Pork President Dave Linton about serving on the board, then later became involved in the Independent Ontario Hog Producers Association. In that capac- ity he worked first as a volunteer with the fledgling group doing a lot of the groundwork to get things rolling. He also did a lot of lobbying with Ontario Pork. Though a prolific reader of news, particularly as it relates to agricul- ture, Lewington found himself deeply involved in gathering infor- mation during the pork industry cri- sis in 1998-1999. The worst hopefully now behind producers, Lewington has served the past year as a director, promoting the interest of the independent, family scale producers. "I felt that voice wasn't being heard, particularly dur- ing the worst of the crisis." It was that voice that also got him on the Huron Federation of Agriculture board with which he is entering a second year as director. "Henry (Boot) would be at our home and hear me talking about how I felt regarding some things and said, `So, get involved. That's your way of making a difference."' Of his political experiences, Lewington is mostly positive, though he admits that the work with the IOHPA could be frustrating at times. While he has strong, occa- sionally differing views on many aspects of the business, Lewington respects experience, however. "Mostly I try to sit back, listen and learn," he says, adding with a smile, "But I do speak out_ if something really bothers me." In retrospect, Lewington admits that he had never thought of becom- ing involved in this aspect of the industry. "I didn't think about whether I could make a difference. And I don't know if I am. But once in awhile I see things come up that for example the IOHPA had expressed concerns with and I real- ize I was there for that. I have been a part of the differences that have been made." Currently his interest lies with finding ways to develop a niche mar- ket for hogs raised without the use of antibiotics. Noting that he had approached Ontario Pork about sell- ing these hogs as premium, and that they didn't "seem interested", Lewington adds, "so I guess it's up to me." He plans to start small sell- ing to individuals, "then go from there." Admitting that the meetings and paperwork take a good deal of time away from the business of farming, Lewington doubts he will stay as involved as now for long. But he will continue to push for the family farm. Saying he doesn't 'want to see the Ontario hog industry go the way of the United States chicken industry where there are very few actual own- ers, Lewington says the farmer is being reduced to little more than a serf on his own farm. "There is no independence left." "I'd like to try to help shape the groups so they might push the inter- est of the family farm, because no matter how well I do here, I don't want to be surrounded by corporate farms. I prefer to see more kids like me, but the way it's headed unless they have a father to help them get started, it's not going to happen." OATI offers ag seminars By Janice Becker Citizen staff Winter is a time when farmers have the opportunity to update skills, learn new information and take part in seminars. The Ontario Agriculture Training Institute (OATI) has been offering such opportunities for eight years. Though now late in the season and with hopes of getting into the fields before too many more weeks pass, a few final courses for are still avail- able for those looking to increase their knowledge and improve their skills. A advanced course on understand- ing the commodity markets will be held at the Holmesville Township Hall March 28, said Alison Lobb of OATI. This level three course is a technical analysis of the markets. It is designed to enhance decision- making skills to enable producers to take advantage of current and future market trends. Consultant Bob Huckle will lead the three-day seminar which runs from 9 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. On March 20, also in Holmesville, Lobb will lead a seminar Basic Farm Income Tax. She stresses this not Continued on A-3 Clinton Resource Centre Box 159, 100 Don Street Clinton, NOM 1L0 (519) 482-3333 Fax: (519) 482-5031 The new breed Dave Lewington, RR2, Brussels has never wanted any- thing more than to work on the family farm. However his forward ideas are being presented as a member of area agricultural boards and federations. OMAFRA'S TO foster competitive, economically diverse and prosperous agriculture and food sectors and promote economic development of rural communities. How to Reach Us visit our web site - www.gov.on.ca/omafra Agricultural information contact centre: 1-877-424-1300 OMAFRA'S Resource Agents respond to farm, commodity, agribusiness and rural business inquiries by providing access to a variety of sources of information regarding: Technical and business references .0 management decision considerations .0 Assessment of advice from non-ministry sources Email: ag.info@omafra.gov.on.ca Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs "Bringing the Resources of the world to Rural Ontario" CD Ontario