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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-03-16, Page 18CSRN CM= litUMW= GosTmrm Page 18 1 incus-Advocatu, March 16, 19J4 FARM IInT�ATF, One Foot in the Furrow By Bob Trotter Fewer farmers every year Fewer farmers till the land on this earth every year. Many of us can remember when almost everyone had a connection to the farm. Some of us were born on a farm. Others had uncles, cousins or even a distant relative on the farm. At one time more than half the population was engaged in farming. All that, as we all know, has changed drastically. Today, only about 3.5 percent of the popula- tion is directly involved in farm- ing and that number dwindles annually. I can remember when there were more than 22,000 dairy farmers in Ontario. Today, there are somewhere less than 9,000. I can remember when almost eve- ry farm kept hens but today, I believe there are fewer than 500 egg producers in Ontario. And those numbers get small- er. 1 cannot help but think we will be sorry one of these days that we aided and abetted the decline in the number of farms and farmers. Even though there still seems to be plenty of arable land left in the world, I still think we will be sorry we al- lowed so many millions of acres to disappear forever under miles of concrete and asphalt, under thousands and thousands of ticky-tacky homes, lost forever to subdivisions, mega -malls and mini -malls, parking lots and high rises. Those acres are gone forever. We cannot reclaim them. What prompted this tirade was a story recently out of Tony Bennett's favourite city, San Francisco. A professor of agri- culture at Cornell University told the annual conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science that the world population would have to fall substantially to reach an "optimum" of between one and two billion people. The professor noted that today's population is almost six billion. Predictions using current growth rates puts the population in the year 2100 at between 12 billion and 15 billion. The earth simply cannot sus- tain that many people. "We're going to have enor- mous numbers of people living in misery, poverty, disease and starvation," said Prof. David Pi- mentel. "We ought to define an optimum population for the world." Good idea, mind you, but how can anyone enforce it? The Cor- nell eggheads suggest that every family should be limited to 1.1 children instead of the current 2.5 in North America. Who wants to be the point five mem- ber of the family? If you were to ask my oldest sister, she would say I was the point five - the half-assed - member of the our family. The Cornell study bleakly points out that the world can only sustain between one and two billion people because there simply is not enough arable land and not enough farmers to pro- vide a "diverse, nutritious diet of plant and animal products." A population of about two bil- lion would have an adequate supply of fresh water and ade- quate levels of energy from re- newable sources such as solar, thermal and wind power. Sounds like George Orwell, doesn't it? What do these uni- versity smart -asses figure we should do with the six billion people already on earth? It means getting rid of about two- thirds of the population and re- stricting those who are left to only 1.1 kids a year. Would they send more pesti- lence, disease and famine, along with several wars, to lessen the number of people? Do they want another plague similar to the Black Plague which started in Constantinople in 1347 and the Black Death in Europe in the 1660s. Which brings us back to farm- ers. I see no immediate solution to the population problem ex- cept to produce more food and that is why we need to keep as many farmers on the land as possible. They alone can allevi- ate some of the starvation. Editor's note: We understand the university professor intend- ed that if each family were lim- ited to fewer than two children, the population would inevitably decline by itself. Finding a way to kill four billion people was not his intent. New marketsark gro wiin p interest in ecological farms n MITCHELL - Southwestern On- tario seems to be the hub of activity for a movement that's gaining steam. At meetings throughout the area this winter, farmers are hear- ing about new market opportunities if they switch to "ecological" meth- ods of farming. On the surface, that involves forsaking the use of all ar- tificial fertilizers, pesticides and for livestock farmers, most veterinary drugs. But Ted Zettel, Public Rela- tions Director for the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO), says the changes go much deeper. He changed his 30 cow, 300 acre dairy/cash crop farm to ecological methods 10 years ago. What im- pressed him most was the "com- mon sense approach" that ecologi- cal farmers used to make many off - farm inputs unnecessary. One ex- ample is fertilizer. "Livestock ma- nure is a valuable resource that is often wasted here in Ontario. By carefully conserving manure, along with growing cover crops, reducing tillage, and eliminating toxins, we were able to stop buying fertilizer." Farmers who go all the way down this road and become "certi- fied organic" can realize healthy premiums by catering to the blos- soming environment and health - motivated, baby -boomer consumer. Harro Wehrmann is General Man- ager of Ontar-Bio Organic Fanners Coop, and grows organic crops on his 600 acre spread near Ripley. He told a room full of potential new growers in Wroxeter recently about steady growth in the demand for or- ganic spelt, soft wheat, soybeans and hulless oats. "Solid premium prices are the norm" he said, citing $80/tonne over wheat -board price, paid for soft wheat last year. That story was echoed by Gerald Poechman, On- tar-Bio's President, who has Cana- da's first certified organic eggs sell - 4 -11 members learn to bake By Chad Smith THAMES ROAD - Usborne #1 4-H group met at Thames Road Church on March 10 at 4:00. The meeting opened with the 4-H pledge. The mem- bers decided on a name for the group, "Batter Buddies". They then divided into three separate groups. Bev Prout's group made two cakes which another group decorated. On the first cake they put one half white and the other half chocolate icing. On the other they put all white icing. Melonie Miller's group made blueberry muffins. Judith Parker's group did measurement again. The group did a taste test of the cakes and muffins after they were finished. Two of the members, Amy and Ann Marie Hodgert brought muffins that they had made at home for the group to taste. The next meeting will be March 24 at 4:00 p.m. Farm Drainage "Drain Your Farm Before It Drains You" $;fib A.G. HAYTER ilkevor CONTRACTIIIIG LTD. R.R. 3 MON Mei Naylor 238-2813 Pad TrusaINIP 288-2881 - 2354148 Drainage Professionals since 1967 ing like hotcakes in Toronto and Montreal. Dairy farmers may soon be in on the act too according to Lawrence Andres, who milks 50 cows himself and is working with about 15 other producers to get organic dairy prod- ucts on the shelves. Andres sees the demand for organic food as "consu- mers express their support for a way of farming that is very easy on the environment". Andres, Poechman, Zettel, and several other experienced ecologi- cal farmers will be sharing their ex- pertise at a two-day meeting planned for March 24 and 215 in Mitchell, Ontario. "It's a big advan- tage" says Zettel, "that this method is developed by farmers and passed along from one farmer to another. For a lot of farmers used to being bombarded with studies and sales- men urging them to buy this and that, it's like a breath of fresh air." Strong commitment to job creation ani rural economic growth is announced TORONTO - Premier Bob Rae announced March 9 the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food will broaden its mandate and become the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "The addition of Rural Affairs to the name and man- date of the Agriculture and Food ministry reflects this government's strong commitment to rural economic growth and job creation," the Premier said. "The addi- tional focus will provide rural communities with the kind of attention they need and deserve." This initiative will be accomplished by re -directing existing staff and financial resources to more clearly focus on service delivery to rural clients. The Premier highlighted the success of recent minis- try initiatives in support of rural economic develop- ment, including the new Farm PLUS program, which allows rural investors to buy guaranteed investment certificates. The proceeds from the sale of the GICs are then pooled and made available as loans for farm and agri-business ventures in rural areas. Premier Rae said the expanded mandate is a logical extension of the work the ministry has carried out over the years to enhance the economic viability of rural communities. "The expanded mandate reinforces the ministry's role as facilitator in helping rural communities meet their needs. The Minister, Elmer Buchanan, is from ru- ral Ontario and he knows the needs and potential of our rural areas as centres for economic growth and. job creation," he said. In addition, the Premier announced an initial contri- bution of $250,000 to a Rural Development Research Fund. Since 1991, OMAF has introduced several policies and programs aimed at helping rural communities develop their economic potential. In 1992, the minis- try launched its Agricultural Investment Strategy to stimulate rural investment and expand the scope of financial resources available to the rural and agricul- tural community. In its 1992 re -organization, a Rural Development Secretariat was created to support rural communities in their efforts toward self-directed ec- onomic renewal. "The ministry's established presence and profile in rural communities across Ontario will be enhanced through its growing emphasis on rural community development, a direction reflected in the addition of rural affairs to the ministry nine," Premier Rae said. Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Elmer Buchanan said he welcomes the ex- pansion of his ministry's mandate to include rural community development. "I strongly believe that our rural communities have incredible potential as centres of; economic growth and job creation," Buchanan. said. "This decision both recognizes the importance of rural Ontario and provides the ministry with the impetus to increase our role as Facilitators for change." "Our focus will now intensify on providing rural communities with the advice and assistance they need to take full advantage of their own potential for growth," Buchanan said. "Ministry staff have built up good relations in rural communities throughout the province, and are well-equipped to deliver high- quality service." Environment proves major challenge for top farmers GUELPH - Meeting new envi- ronment requirements is the biggest challenge facing top U.S. farmers, according to a survey designed by a University of Guelph agricultural economist. Using a database pro- vided by the leading U.S. farm pub- lication The Farm Journal, Tom Funk targeted American corn - soybean, cotton, wheat, dairy, beef and hog farmers with gross reve- nues of more than $500,000 a year. He asked eight pages of questions - making it the biggest -ever gener- al -information farm survey - finish- ing with: "What's the biggest issue you will face in the next five years?" Even without a checklist for prompting, 75 percent of .the 4,000 respondents said meeting vironmental requirements was their greatest concern. "We expected environmental reg- ulations would be an issue but we didn't realize the magnitude," says Funk. "Even the most successful farmers see them as a real chal- lenge." He believes this concern could lead to a new growth industry. "De- mand is going to increase for envi- ronmental consultants. Farmers need help from people who fully understand the regulations and re- quirements." The questionnaire, sponsored by the Centre for Agribusiness at Indi- ana's Purdue University, sought farmers' opinions on such subjects as anticipated changes in their farms, their behavior as buyers, communication with industry and the distribution of products and ser- vices to them. The questions in- cluded whether farmers had plans • • • ANNOUNCEMENT • • • MR. MARK SHULMAN Becker ?arm Equipment. your Case IH dealer in Exeter, Is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark Shulman as Sales Representative. foe brings with him more than a dozen years of farm equipment experience In both service and sales. Mark will be responsible for Mew and Used Lawn and Garden Equipment Sales as well as the full line of Agricultural Equipment handled by deckers. Manic looks forward to the challenges of his new position and the opportunity to meet and work with the many valued customers of Becker Pam Pgl.:pment. Please join us In welcoming Mark. w FARM EQUIPMENT - EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service & Rentals since 1932 (519) Fax: (519) 235-2121 1-800-265-2121 235-2791 to expand production (most do) and how many people are involved on the farm (10 on average). More in-depth questions probed such subjects as the role of the farmer's spouse, which Funk char- acterizes as "a very active one, es- pecially in the smaller farms," and how farmers view farming itself. "We found that most of the resi- dents look at farming not as a busi- ness, but a way of life," he says. After the survey results were compiled, Purdue University pre- sented them at a conference in No- vember. Representatives from 200 agribusiness companies turned out to hear the findings. Of special in- terest to the companies were the following:'' • Most farmers delegate buying to several different employees, so suc- cessful sellers need to find the spe- cific person on each farm responsi- ble for buying their particular products. • A significant number of farmers prefer buying from manufacturers rather than from an intermediary and predict there will be more di- rect buying in the future. • Farmers are hungry for product information and want to receive it by direct mail rather than through avenues such as telemarketing. The success of this project has sparked plans for a similar survey in Canada. Funk will lead the effort with support form the Canadian farm publications Grainews, Coun- try Guide, Farm, and Country and Le Bulletin, as -well as the Universi• • ty of Guelph. c [) C� �7Cases ATTENTION LIVESTOCK (((d t OWNERS r, Effective April 1, 1994, the Provincial Veterinary Laboratories (1 at Huron Park and New Liskeard will be closed. d? } may be taken to laboratories in Guelph, Ridgetown, r Brighton or Kemptville. Your veterinarian has the address. 0 The staff of Huron Park and New Liskeard Veterinary Laboratory Services, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and 1 Rural Affairs thank you for your support. �f ../r.—../.././../././.1././.l.1./../../.Cr—..ICY..!../../..J.l./.11l,/.r.—r'✓ NISA ...T ..m....,. OaT.b, .000U.,. ATTENTION FARMERS! The NISA Administration will be holding public information sessions to explain how the new four page application form can save you time and money. An overview of the changes for the 1993 stabilization year will also be provided. Meetings will be held in your province as follows: Ontario: Casselman Mach 18, 1:30 pm Recreation Centre 768 Rue Br4beuf (Session in French) Mount Albert March 22, 10:00 am Uons Hall, York Region Rd.113 Ridgetown March 23, 1:30 pm Collage of Agree. Agrio. Teohnotogy alnico* March 24, 8:00 pm Hort. Research Stn. Muslim Road & Hwy 13 KemptvU $. March 21. 1:30 pm Cogsge of Agree Technology, Parrish Bldg, Prescott Street Shelburne March 22, 2:00 pm Recreation Centre Hwy 110 North Essex March 23, 8:00 pm Knights of Columbus Talbot Street North Trenton March 21, 8:00 pm Knights of Columbus 67 Stella Crescent Vineland Station March 22, 8:00 pm Victoria Hall Victoria Ave. & QEW Huron Park March 24, 1:30 pm Huron Hall Lounge Centralia College of Agrlo. Technology Woodstock March 26, 1:30 pm Quality Inn, Altado►e Room Ext. 232. Hwy 1401 & 169 For more information, please call top -free at: .1-800-665-6472 (NISA) or en fran,ais 1-800-865-2776 (CSRN)