The Rural Voice, 2006-06, Page 11Long•Term Th,,keng
for Today'f Mutt
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
7660 Mill Rd., RR 4 Guelph, ON N 1 Fi 6(1
Voice: (519) 837-1620 Fax: (519) 824-1835
Email: cffomail@christianfarmers.org
Web: www.christianfarmers.org
Making a Living with our Values
The CFFO vision for farming contains a
number of heart -felt qualities and values that
our members would like to see strengthened
and developed in our province's agricultural
communities. These qualities are a blend of
faith, culture, community and economic.
Family -based. The CFFO sees farm
businesses remain family -based. Each
succeeding generation should be able to own
its own piece of farmland, take care of its
natural resources, and leave it in better shape
than when they took over.
Farming as a vocation. The CFFO sees
farming viewed again as a vocation, rather
than only a way to make a living. We view
farming as a response to our Creator, in
addition to being a way to pay the bills.
Farming as a valued career. The CFFO sees
farmers valued for producing crops and
livestock through a process that creates food
safe for consumers, is ecologically sustainable,
and builds up fields, streams, sky and
wetlands.
Farming with respect for others. Farmers
need to be true partners in any supply chain
arrangements, retaining the ability to make
independent decisions regarding their farms
and their destinies. Business arrangements
for agriculture need to be based on fairness.
Satisfactory returns. The CFFO sees farmers
obtain satisfactory profits for their efforts. The
profit needs to cover the product and the
stewardship of our natural resources.
Commitment to stewardship. The CFFO•
sees farm families continue to adapt their
farming practices to provide long-term
ecological care.
Compassionate. The CFFO sees farmers
act in a generous fashion to support the
hungry or those going through a crisis.
Hunger should be fought here and abroad.
In addition, appropriate community support
is needed for those farmers in our own
province suffering through tough times.
If you'd like to read more about
the CFFO vision, visit our website at
www.christianfarmers.org
or call our office to obtain your own copy of
Closer to the Heart:
A CFFO Vision for Farming
Closer to the
A CFFO Vision
for Farming
JUNE 2006 7