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The Rural Voice, 2001-07, Page 17Environmental Farm Plan and nutrient management strategies, it didn't take the farm groups long to develop their communications strategy and have a crisis management team, including a scientific strategy involving some of the best people from the University of Guelph. "We went for standing at the Walkerton Hearings because we were able to go under the umbrella of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition," Verkley says. "We needed some money for legal representation and in short order everybody kicked in. "It was one of those issues that come along a very few times in agriculture where everybody is interested in resolving the issue — nobody is worried about who does what as long as it gets done. As far as I can tell everything that was done in regards to Walkerton was 'done in a professional manner, was done with all the resources that were required to get it done and there was no time spent bickering as to who would get "There was no time spent bickering as to who would get to lead..." to lead or who was the best person for it — it was just whoever's there do it with the resources of the whole agricultural community." Also coming in handy with the Walkerton tragedy was the long relationship the farm environmental groups had established with government officials. People from the Ministry of Environment had been involved as advisors from day one of the environmental coalition to counsel on the MOE policies and practices so that the farm groups weren't working at cross principles. OMAFRA staff have also been involved from the beginning, providing expertise of people on nutrient management and water quality. Ministry of Natural Resources and even federal ministries were part of the process under which environmental solutions were developed. "We didn't try to develop things that wouldn't fit with government Time To Cut Hay? "American Farm Products" Hill AND Hill Features: Silage Pro - an additive for haylage and corn silage Ha} Pro - a preservative for dry baled hay FARMS LIMITED VARNA ONT. For Further Details, Contact KRISTEN or PETE (519) 233-3218 VARNA GRAIN We are ready to receive your 2001 Wheat • 3 Receiving Pits • All Harvest Services Available Contact: VARNA GRAIN RECEIVERS OF FUNDULEA RED WHEAT, SOFT RED WHEAT, SOFT WHITE WHEAT, PATRIOT Pete or Jim 233-7908 or Hill AN Hill FARMS LIMITED VARNA ONT. 233-3218 alW.L ' NNEAT•B EAN Mall • SMA BE ANS.. QFlVSr iP0 ,tt.. Q JULY 2001 13