The Rural Voice, 2001-01, Page 58BRUCE
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County Farmers by the BCFA.
Sometimes we're our own worst enemies
This article is meant to be
somewhat provocative and the views
expressed are mine alone.
There has been quite a lot of talk
about the demise of the family farm in
Canada especially in the last few
years. The reduction in the numbers of
such farms is seen as a threat to rural
communities and their institutions
such as churches, community centres
and cultures. Many farmers are
lobbying to prevent this from
happening. Mostly they are lobbying
urbanites but are also lobbying other
rural residents.
There are two major problems that
make this difficult, however, and they
are related to credibility. The first is an
inability to put forth a clear definition
of what exactly constitutes a "family"
farm. For example many quite small
farm operations are incorporated and
others like mine for example, operate
as a numbered company. Now perhaps
all the shareholders are related, but not
necessarily and unless the operators
make the information public there is
no way of knowing.
Some of the largest corporations
involved in the farming industry are
families: the McCain's being the most
well known in Canada. I'm sure most
people wouldn't class them as
"family" farmers but it does raise
some questions.
When trying to convince others of
the rightness of your position it seems
to me one has to be very clear about it.
Many farmers, if not most, understand
in their guts the meaning of "The.
Family Farm", or at least they used to.
The trouble is it is very hard to make
outsiders understand a "gut" feeling,
never mind contribute to it in some
way. What is it we would like society
to contribute besides money by the
way?
Another problem I see, and I may
be digging myself in even deeper here,
is the fact that many farmers who see
themselves as family farmers, are
contributing to the demise of many
rural family businesses. They do this
by shopping at Wal-Mart (a family
business ironically), Home Depot,
Shoppers Drug Mart, etc. Every dollar
spent at these large chain stores and
malls is one not spent at the local,
New OFA disability program for the millennium
Most members of the farming community wouldn't think twice about insuring their cars, home,
equipment, livestock, etc., while these issues are critically important, the most important asset for
most of us, is OUR ABILITY TO EARN AN INCOME!
For instance, a 40 year old, earning $36,000/yr., assuming a 5 per cent increase per year,
would be looking at potential earnings from now until age 65, of $1,718,176.
Protecting this asset, has often not even been considered! This usually is due to the perception
that the cost of disability insurance has been prohibitive. "Just too expensive," and/or there have
been too many limitations.
Officially launched at the recent Ontario Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock with great success
and offered through the OFA, the new disability program underwritten by Unum and distributed
through Totally Diversified Financial Services, is essentially one of the most comprehensive and
affordable programs on the market today.
Unum is the largest disability specialist in the world, offering unparalleled reliability and
security.
Designed for the Farming Community!
Farmers who have written down their income to 0, often don't qualify for any benefits. The new
OFA program offers benefits in this instance, from $1,000/month to $2,000/month. If you already
have a program, it may well be worth the time to receive a quotation on the new program, as the
benefit levels may be higher, and/or more cost effective including additional and enhanced plan
features. Features such as indexing to inflation, and partial disability coverage, just to name a few.
The new OFA disability program designed for the farming community has been developed to
offer security and peace of mind for both OFA members and Associate members and their
immediate families. This program should be considered as an essential part of your financial plan.
For further information on this program or to arrange a personal quotation, contact Barry Mills
or Riny Vanrooy of Totally Diversified Financial Services at 1-888-231-7577 or email
bemill ®home.com0
54 THE RURAL VOICE
(usually family run), drug store,
variety store, grocery store and garden
centre to name a few. The appearance
of more and more vacant store fronts
in small towns are testament to the
trend. As has already happened in
many small U.S. towns this means no
local newspapers (no advertisers), and
no service clubs, no ball or hockey
team sponsors. It also means travelling
farther and farther for basics, which
with our mild winters lately, may not
seems too bad. An old-fashioned
winter may give us pause however.
Another negative impact is on the
property tax base. As our property
taxes continue to increase, especially
lately, this could be a major problem
for farmers.
Communities are made up of
people with bonds of common
interests and needs. If these needs start
to become too different the community
starts to deteriorate.
So as we pass "For Sale" signs on
what we know as family farms on our
way to the chain store perhaps we
should think a little bit about what we
want. When we run into our urban
cousins that these stores don't be
surprised if they look puzzled when
we decry the end of the family farms.
In order to lobby effectively we must
be clear about our concepts.
I am very proud and happy to be a
part of my community and do not want
to see it divided and weakened.
Unfortunately it seems sometimes we
are our own worst enemies. May we
all find our way to a happy and
prosperous New Year.O
- Submitted by Rick Robson
1st Vice President
Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
Directors' Meeting
Monday, January 22, 2001
Sprucedate Agromart
R.R. #2, Walkerton -25th Sideroad Brant
(north off of Hwy. #4 - east of Walkerton)
- across from Morry's Trailer Sales
Members are welcome to attend