The Rural Voice, 1985-12, Page 8George Brinkman:
bearing an unpopular message
University of Guelph agricultural economist George
Brinkman is committed to agriculture and isn't afraid of
delivering the facts, as he sees them, even when the news
won't boost his popularity.
by Alice Gibb
George Brinkman, a Univer-
sity of Guelph agricultural
economist, suffers from the
fate borne by many messengers who
deliver unwelcome news. The
"message" Professor Brinkman has
delivered regarding farm incomes and
prices has in some cases been
anything but popular with farmers.
In the past year, Brinkman's
repeated warning that parity pricing
might not be the "quick fix" the
agricultural industry needs has again
cast him in the role of bearer of bad
news. In some circles, it's also earned
him the nickname "brink -of -
disaster" Brinkman. This seems
rather an unfair fate for a man who
remains committed to the Canadian
agricultural industry and who isn't
afraid to deliver the facts, even when
he knows those facts won't boost his
popularity.
Brinkman, now a landed Canadian
6 THF RURAI VOICE
immigrant, grew up in Richland, in
the state of Washington. "In the area
I grew up in, they created a very
significant land reclamation project
and introduced irrigation and literally
transformed the desert into an im-
mensely productive agricultural
area." Although his family didn't
farm, Brinkman joined the Future
Farmers of America as a teenager,
deciding at an early age that he
wanted a career in agriculture.
After high school, Brinkman spent
a year as an exchange student in Ger-
many. He lived on a 30 -acre family
farm, complete with five cows, 20
pigs, and financial problems that
pushed the century -old operation into
bankruptcy.
"I know the hurt that people are
going through right now because we
lost that farm," says Brinkman.
"Even though I may write about
policies." he adds. perhaps afraid of
being considered another ivory tower
academic, "I do know what some of
the people are going through in terms
of the kinds of difficulties they
have."
On his return to Washington,
Brinkman started a lengthy academic
career, earning a Masters degree in
agricultural extension from
Washington State University. Then
he moved on to Michigan State
University, where he completed a
doctorate in agricultural economics.
His thesis was based on six months of
research work completed in Nigeria
during that nation's civil war period.
He and fellow researchers completed
a 15 -year national agricultural
development plan for the African
country.
When Brinkman and his wife and
young daughter returned to the U.S.,
he accepted a teaching post at Kansas
State University. His work in the