The Rural Voice, 2001-08, Page 6CROP/QUEST
Nutrient Management Planning
& Consulting
1 Andy de Vries C.C.A.
519-229-6559
CERTIFIED
CROP ADVISOR
Ron Pennings
519-345-2702
Fax: 519-229-8029
E -Mail: cropquest@quadro.net
PARTS & EQUIPMENT - NEW & USED
R R. #2, Teeswater,
i' Ontario NOG 2S0
OAP, TEESWATER
♦ AGRO PARTS
Phone 519-392-6111
Fax 519-392-8099
TRACTORS
Ford 4610 4 WD wlloader (exc.) $24,900.
Case 1175 $10,000.
White 2-85 $10,000.
Belaris 520A 4 WO, wlloader $6,500.
Oliver 88 standard (mint) $3,500.
ACD 14 $3,500.
IH W 4 (exc.) $1,500.
MISCELLANEOUS
JD 35 harvester S2,000.
NH 46 trail mower $250.
New Douglas 6' finishing mower .... $1,775.
Versatile 400 12' swather $2,500.
20' fifth wheel trailer $3,000.
IH 810 15' grain header (call for price)
JD 6600 combine 57,500.
Heath 8 row bean puller $1,000.
JD 45 combine (exc.) $2,000.
George White 30' elevator $575.
IH 201 10' swather conditioner (exc.) .. 51,000.
NH
68 baler $400.
WRECKING
Many makes of tractors,
combines, swathers, haybines,
harvesters, forage racks,
balers & Case IH 8575 big
square baler.
JD 6400, 7400, 8200, 8400,
all 4 WD & a Styre 8160.
Wanted tractors & equipment for salvage and resale
2 THE RURAL VOICE
Guest Column
Creating a community
By Katrina Bos
"There aren't enough hours in the
day!" "How am I ever going to get
caught up on all these jobs?" "Why
does it seem everything needs to be
done at the same time!"
How often do we feel this. hear
this and say this,
especially at this
time of the year.
We have a dairy
farm, young
children, a big
garden, lawn, etc.
The work seems
to be never-
ending.
One of the
problems is that
nowadays, we
separate
ourselves into
small, isolated
nuclear families.
This means that all the work must be
done by mom and dad and perhaps
some willing or unwilling children.
Most of us do not have the benefits of
intergenerational family living.
Don't get me wrong. I love the
freedom and space that comes with
living independently of mom, dad
and grandma and grandpa, but what
about what we're missing out on?
Can't we have the best of both
worlds?
I am always a little awestruck
when I go to buy strawberries from
our neighbouring Mennonites.
Everyone is always busy — young
and old. Everyone has a job, a
purpose and a place in the
community. There are always extra
eyes to watch the little kids. While
one washes clothes, others are
making lunch, working the fields,
picking strawberries, etc. Everyone
is useful.
I'm a long way from donning a
bonnet and learning how to shoe
horses, but I am very open to any-
thing the Mennonites know that could
benefit us. One great thing we can
observe is their sense of community.
Many farmers and farming
families suffer from isolation to some
extent. At some point, it became a
proud thing to do everything yourself.
Living through the depression or hard
times would definitely contribute to
this. But for the most part, many
people enjoy their staunch
independence. "I can do it and I
don't need anyone's help".
Unfortunately, one result of this is
spending a lot of time alone doing a
lot of work with very little time left
over for oneself or forging
relationships within the community.
How many of us have retired
neighbours who we never have time
to visit? There is a wealth of
knowledge and expertise all around
us. All we have to do is tap into it.
I have no recollection of my mom
canning when I was growing up, so
when faced one year with an over-
abundance of tomatoes and two very
small children at my feet, the
prospect of canning was incredibly
daunting. Today I am thankful for
the help of my mother-in-law who
comes and helps me, passing on years
of experience and great time -saving
tips. A friend of hers was happy to
come and teach me the tricks of the
trade when it came to dill pickles, her
specialty.
When we are haying or busy in the
fields, my husband likes nothing
better than having his dad out on a
tractor. His years of experience
cannot be hatched. That extra set of
knowledgeable eyes catches
problems sooner and definitely
breaks fewer shear pins.
You probably have neighbours
who love to paint, do wood -working,
play with kids, work in the garden,
clean houses, mend clothes, feed
cows, etc. Why not call them or
someone in a neighbouring town and
see if they'd mind giving you a hand.
It would be money and time well -
spent.
Another great option is bartering.
For some, the money is not what they
need. But they might love some help
with their #@*!! computer or the roof
that needs mending or snow removal
in the winter -time. Maybe if they
help you with cannning, you could
strike a deal to take some of the end -
results home with them.
If you have skills that you would
like to be using, make your abilities