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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-10-14, Page 20Page 20—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987 CRSS English students look at farm crisis situation By Shelley McPhee Haist CLINTON - English 4G2 is not a tradi- tional course of study. This unique high school course that is being offered at Cen- tral Herron Secondary School (CHSS) in Clinton takes a practical approach to learning. This year, Grade 12 students who are tak- ing English 4G2 are learning about the Farm Crisis in this country. Studies in this course focus on the written word as well as visual and audio presentations. Part of the study included a panel discus- sion that featured presentations made by farmers and agricultural experts. The morning seminar was held on October 8 at CHSS. The panel guests included Brian Ireland, Brenda McIntosh, Paul Klopp, Tony McQuail and Brian Hall. Their discus- sion focussed on the farm financial crisis in Ontario — the causes and the solutions. Brian Ireland, a hog and cash crop farmer from Bruce County, told the students, "It doesn't matter how good a worker you are, ( on the farm) unless you've got it paid for, you're practically on a downhill skid." Mr . Ireland has seen the dramatic ef- fects that financing difficulties can have on farm families. He is an "activist" and a farm financial consultant who has helped mediate many disputes between farmers and financial institutions. In his experiences he has talked farmers out of committing suicide, he has seen children in farm families suffer because of stress in the home. He has seen families, mothers and their children come to his home in the middle of the night because the husband and father threw them out of the house when he was in a state of extreme distress. Mr. Ireland urged that more mental health and stress counselling is needed for farm people. He further suggested, "When the farmer is suffering, everyone in a com- munity is suffering," from the store owners in town, to the church, the schools and the recreation centre. Brenda McIntosh works with farmers who are in trouble. She works with their bankers. The Clinton area poultry, hog and cash crop farrier is also a member of the Farm Debt Review Board. In its first year of operation, the board has dealt with more than 847 applications. In 4 -September of this year, some 84 farmers ap- plied for assistance. The Farm Debt Review Board aims to break down barriers between farmers and their creditors. The board works to devise compromise arrangements between the two. "It's a difficult process," Mrs. McIntosh explained, "the farmer wants to keep his farm and the lender wants his money back . .. often the two have been at odds for up- wards of five years." 47. Card of thanks JEWITT Wt. would Irk.• to thank our friends rind r(,Inllves Ic* the lovely floral tributes visits colds and gills of food of the time of Dad s death Your thoughfulness was sincerely oppiecrcrted grid will always be remembered Sincerely Gary crud hrystal Jennifer acrd Susan 41 1 1 1 -- 1 1' The review board studies individual ap- plications, they visit the farmers, meet with his creditor and aim to find a solution to the financial stalemates. "We want him (the farmer) to be able to make it," Mrs. McIntosh told the students. Paul Klopp, a Zurich area farmer, is following a family tradition in embarking on a career in farming. He runs a hog and cash crop operation. "I'm a business person. I went into agriculture because I wanted to make money," he told the students. He doesn't believe that he should be satisfied with less. "We're always told that things are going to get better. We're told to hang on," he said. "People cheer for the Maple Leafs every year. It's no different in agriculture." Mr. Klopp, a former NDP candidate for the Huron riding, believes that government assistance is imperative to the future sur- vival of farming. "Our government MPs have to act. They're listening to big business now," he stressed. He said that the government willingly helps big businesses out of financial crun- ches, but the same assistance is not being given to the agricultural industry. In fact, Mr. Klopp suggested that the government may be working to undermine farming., He said that media reports in the past have uncovered the fact that the govern- ment is committed to getting rid of farmers. "Everyone says that farmers are the backbone of the nation, but the (govern- ment I admit that they're trying to get rid of them." Mr. Klopp said that farmers must work to ensure their livelihood. They must be prepared to stand up to government. They must be willing to oppose and lobby. "Farmers hesitate opposing government. They don't want to rock the boat and find that the present programs of assistance are withdrawn," he suggested. He said that he will continue to work to better agriculture. "We want a better place for our next generation to come into." Tony McQuail believes that farming must move from being a highly industrialized business, back to simpler ways, in order to prosper. The sheep, hog and apple producer has farmed organically for more than 12 years. He farms using minurnal outside inputs, this includes doing much of his field work with horses. Mr. McQuail says that modern industrial agriculture consumes more energy than it produces. Add to that high interest' rates, speculative loans and low commodity prices, and that creates a farm crisis. "What can I do as an individual farmer?" he asked, "I can reject the industrial ap- 47. Card of thanks RODGER I would like to take this opportunity to thank fnrnlly hlr.nds and neighbours for visits cards letters flowers treats gifts and phone calls in enquuy while I was o patient In St Joseph s Hospital London Thanks to Doctors Gurr and Cullen and nurses on 4th north east Thanks also for baking and visits since returning home All was very much appreciated Phyllis 41nx 44'' % dol idyuvv FOCUS ON FARMING proach to agriculture." Mr. McQuail says that through his farm- ing practices, he is aiming to build an opera- tion that he has control over, a farm that is self-sufficient. He does not want the banks to own his farm. He does not want f'o rely on big businesses to keep his farm operation. 3e is aiming to create an agricultural base that sustains itself and provides three me. Is a day for his family. He is concerned with protecting the soil, long term food security and • a future agricultural scene that will see locally con- trolled farming, with a greater number of farms and more mixed farming operations. Mr. McQuail is a current director of the Ecological Farmers' Association of Ontario. He is a past president of the Huron Country Federation of Agriculture and a former chairman of the Foodlands Hydro Committee. The last speaker in the panel discussion was Brian Hall. A Farm Management Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of A panel discussion about the Farm Crisis was presented to English students at CHSS last week. Panel members included (left to right) Brenda McIntosh, Brian Ireland, Paul Klopp, moderator Jim Barnes, Brian Hall and Tony McQuail. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo) Agriculture (OMAFO, discussed the causes of the farm financial crisis. He said that in the 1970s there was fear of a global population explosion. Farmers were called upon to provide more food. With advanced technology in agriculture, produc- tivity was greatly increased. Money was easy to borrow and farmers bought more land. They improved and expanded their farming operations. Farmers moved from mixed farming opertions to those that specialized on one commodity. By the early 1980s the market was flooded with produce, farmers were carrying high debt loads. They had high input costs going towards their operations and high interest rates. "Thirty per cent of the farms now produce over 80 per cent of the farm products," Mr. Hall said. "They also carry a large part of the debt load." Mr. Hall said that OMAF works to help farmers succeed in business. Ministry pro- grams help provide education and informa- tion courses. OMAF programs work with marketing boards and provide stabilization programs. OMAF management courses are offered to help farmers who choose to give up agriculture. Another program works to help beginning farmers establish themselves. Mr. Hall noted that in the last three years, some 200 young people in Huron County have'gone into farming. There will be some students of the English 4G2 who will someday embark on careers in agriculture. The farming tradition will con- tinue in spite of the problems facing the in- dustry in this decade. Difficulties are not new to farming. In the 1930s farm life was tough. In the 1980s, farm- ing continues to carry its share of problems. Still, farmers are hopeful. Paul Klopp says that he is an optimist. He believes that there is a good future in farming. Brian Ireland advises young people who are considering farming as a future occupa- tion, "Get a good education, a good career, but never take your eyes off of farming, because someday it's going to he better." Golden Radars prepare for CLINTON - The regular meeting of the Golden Radar Club took place in their clubroom at the town hall here on October 7. All reports were read and approved. Flowers had been sent to Annie Jervis and Margaret Bridle who are in the hospital and a 50th wedding anniversary card was sent t� Elmer and Mary Trick. Membership of the club is now 60 and 33 members answered roll call by giving their birth date. Beatrice Welsh announced that shuf- fleboard will begin at Ontario Street United Church on October 23 at 1:30 p.m. The USCO SThink big...for better results end YOUR message across the province or coast to coast i L. CANADA WIDE CLASSIFIEDS It's fast! It's easy!...One call, one bill does it all! 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Dnv,d Frhwnss For Information <all (519) 791 7040 41 The Only way to get YOUR ad in 2.5 million homes in Canada for $748.®° or in 1,241,807 hordes in Ontario for $25®.©® OEM Pine Vour Blanket Classified Ad by cell - 1 one Of our helpful classified advisors your nearest weekly newspaper office t r details. Lucknow 528-2822 Goderich 524-2814 Kincardine 388-2063 Clinton 482-3443 Walkerton 881-1800 Seeforth 527-0240 Mitchell 348-8431 ram ®® mm gam rven Adm nes ems ® mak' wart Joan Spittal, chairrnan of the Huron Coun- ty Community Services Council's planning committee for the fall conference "Chapter Two: New Directions” has announced the six workshops topics which will be offered at the conference to be held at Huronview on November 12. The topics, which were selected by the Huron County Community Services Council, include youth services, employment, hous- ing, transportation, mental health and infor- mation services. The Council is pleased with the high quality of the panelists who have been selected for each workshop to act as resource people to provide advice and guidance when plans of action are 'being developed. Mrs. Spittal, who is a social worker at the Fall Rally will be held October 14 at Goderich Township Community Centre, Holmesville, registration beginning at noon. Anyone needing transportation may phone Reta Wright, Violet Howes or Margaret Thorndike. Ida Godkin, delegate to the USCO Conven- tion in Guelph in August, gave a comprehen- sive report of the proceedings except for the resolutions which she will discuss at the Oc- tober 21 meeting. Reta Wright, as a visitor, gave a resume of a leadership workshop which she attended the first evening. The president read two articles of interest to Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, said: "One of the council's goals is to have those attending the conference participate in the development of action plans to solve some of the problems and needs identified. Participants will be invited to help set the wheels in motion.” Workshops are being scheduled so that each participant at the conference will be able to attend three workshops of their choice. Participants are being asked to in- dicate on their advance registration forms which workshops they wish to attend. The deadline for registering for the conference is October 23. The registration fee of $15 includes all ac- tivities, lunch and coffee breaks. Persons who have special needs for funding. atten- shuffleboard seniors from the Voice magazine --- one on hearing aids and one on seniors' medication.committeeProgram committee for October 21 is Harold and Donna Tyndall .Incl Rachael .Johnston. The entertainment consisted of two readings by Edna Stewart with Thanksgiv- ing themes and two piano solos by Elmer Trick. High prizes for progressive euchre were won by Olive Ball and Elmer Trick: low prizes by Blanche Deevl's azul Ernie Workshops to provide advice on youth services Brown and lone hands by pilary Dale dant care or an interpreter in order to at- tend this conference should contact either .Jean Young or Bev Brown at .1517-:1222 or 1-800-265-3039. Mrs. Spittal has received word from Graham DeVeber, Regional Director of the Canadian Hearing Society, that he will sign/interpret the opening remarks at the conference for the hearing impaired The Huron County Social Services Coun- cil, who is sponsoring this conference. want it known that the conference is open to all members of the public If you would like more information or a brochure. please call .Joan Spittal at 524-8.323 ar Bev Brown at 357-3222. 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