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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-03-29, Page 9Local GREGOR CAMPBELL PHOTO NATURE'S CLOCK - Migrating swans touched down just east of Brucefield on the Bayfield Road early last week, as always a sure sign of the changing seasons. Don't forget you won't have at least one hour of sleep to fall back on this weekend, as clocks spring ahead, officially at 2 a.m Sunday, April 2. Farm families seeking answers by SHELLEY McPHEE HAM' FOCUS Newsmagazine Farm families are trying to stick together and they're looking for ways to keep the tradition of family farming alive and well for future generations. More than 60 people attended a daylong seminar in Holmesville on March 23, another 50 people attend- ed an evening session in Brussels and 60 people were in Mitchell on March 24 to hear Dr. Ron Hanson from the University of Nebraska speak on family farming. "You get problems in a family when you try to put them (family members) into molds and they don't fit," Dr. Hanson told his Holmesville audience. It may be a young wife who wants to keep her own career instead of being a working partner on her spouse's farm. It may he a son who wants to leave the farm, or a father who is reluctant to pass the farming operation to his children. Dr. Hanson said that successful family farming operations require a team approach by each individual family.,men bar involved. Dr. Ratttson_ is a widely .traveled speaker who meets with farm audi- ences across the United States and Canada to talk about the relation- ships between family members working together on a family farm or in a family business. His presentation in the area was sponsored by the Huron County Rural Health Co-ordinating Committee. Dr. Hanson said that each individ- ual must feel important and be rec- ognized for their contributions to the farm's overall success. Relations in any farm family suf- fer when one discovers that deci- sions arc being made by others that affect their happiness and well- being, and they are not allowed to be a part of, or have a voice in those decisions. Board holds public meeting on budget BY AMY NEILANDS The Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) will hold a public information m^rting on Thursday to discuss the 1995 budget and related topics. At the meeting, entitled "Who Sets the Mill Rate Anyway?", the board will present information on what is happening with Ontario Grant Regulations, a review of cost reductions and clarify where cutbacks have been made. It will also be revealed where the board stands at the moment with 1995 expenditures. As well, the board hopes to "clarify why the HCBE has little control" over what is provincially imposed on the school board, said Director of Education Paul Carroll. "The general sense (from the public) is the board controls what is happening," said Carroll, adding that hopefully this meeting will clear up this misconception. The province determines _the property value assessment for education taxes, and with adjustments in this, along with other provincially - imposed factors, an increase in the mill rate will result. "There's no way we can prevent that from happening," said Carroll. "All we're doing is short-chan- ging the kids," he said, as the HCBE is already at the lowest expenditure levels for a school board. The information meeting will also give the public a chance to offer suggestions and give their input to the board. It will be held at the Education Centre in Clinton and will start at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Hanson said that difficulties arise around issues such as: decision making; new ideas for change; money spending policies; time -off and vacation policies; family and business goals; farm employees and the role of the wife in the farm busi- ness. Human relationships are necessary for a successful farming operation. The family must be able to commu- nicate, have mutual respect for each other and a willingness to listen. The children must also have the motivation and determination to work hard alongside their parents. Dr. Hanson encourages farm par- ents to allow their adult children the opportunity to make mistakes, "let your son try it his way." He also reminded his audience to keep differences in lifestyles (val- ues) between parents and son/daughter out of the farm busi- ness. "Often the parents, and the son and his wife will live side by side. You know when the lights go on in the morning, when the care leaves the drive and when the lights go out at night. You see everything," he noted. . He reminded parents that not all young wives will be partners in the farm operations. "They may work off the farm full- time. They may have their own career and interests and children to look after." He quoted one young wife who was having difficulties with her par- ents-in-law and she said, "I married your son, I didn't marry your cows." He noted, "A young wife -doesn't necessarily want to give up a career to put on barn clothes and milk cows." Dr. Hanson said he has counselled families where the mother-in-law has become resentful and jealous of her daughter-in-law's off farm career work. He noted, " Me woman who works off the farm may have a car, nice dress clothes and a bank account. Many women have made significant contributions to farm operations and they don't get paid. Women who stay home to work on a farm should also be paid." Dr. Hanson said that parents must avoid showing favoritism to the child who has stayed on to farm. "Kids know when you have a favorite. They may never say a word, but don't be naive and think your kids don't recognize your favoritism. Sit down with your kids and discuss the (finances) and how they're being handled. Get problems out of the way now. Don't wait until your children come home for a funeral with an attitude that`they want to get even. It destroys all your hard work and your dreams." He noted that some children do work harder and contribute more to the farm operation. "The children who come back to the farm deserve something for their hard work. Treat your children equi- tably not equally. "This will be the hardest thing you'll have to face when passing along the farm farm/business." He reminded his audience, "Being the oldest,boy.shouldn't mean that you write your own ticket. Daughters who marry should not be excluded." Bitterness and hatred in families always involves jealousy and favoritism, he said. Conflicts between family members in farm families may be born from several mistakes: letting a father -son relationship turn into a parent-child relationship; gossip and misunder- standings; carrying a grudge too long; allowing arguments to go beyond the boiling point; failure to set family and farm' goals; inability to have frank, open, honest discus- sions; unwillingness to get along. Dr. Hanson said that strong family relationships prosper in families who spend time together, communi- cate well, share a religious faith, know how to deal with a crisis, have DAVE MOORE FUELS LTD. "The Best Service When You Need It Most" PT MO uNAai fun together, and have a positive outlook. "Remember it takes patience, per- sistence, understanding, courage, personal strength and forgiveness. It takes a lot of effort by all family members for a farm business to be successful as a family operation." Dr. Hanson advises families not to rush into a family business arrange- ment, but to analyze all possible alternatives and options. Too many decisions arc made under time pres- sure or stress. "A child shouldn't become a farm partner until the father is ready to relinquish some of the control," he said. Likewise, the child may not be ready to be a full working partner in the farm operation. "I tell parents not to be afraid to let go. If farming's in his (the child's) blood, he'll be back. If he finds another career that he loves, so be it." 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