The Rural Voice, 1988-02, Page 46Make every do ar of investment work —
and work hard) Zetor invites you to com-
pare model for model, feature for feature
before you buy
Zetor tractors are available in two or four
wheel drive from 50 to 160 horsepower.
Model
5211, 50 H.P., 511,500
7245, 4WD. 65 H.P., 519,170
8145. 4WD, 80 H.P., $27,410
See Dealers for Cash Discounts
G & B Farrn Equipment
R.R. 1, Ayton 519-799-5584
Chatsworth 519-794-2181
Scone Service Centre
HOG SLATS
12" Wide x 6"
8", 12" 8 24" long.
With these multiples, which can be bolted together
with stainless steel bolts which are supplied with
slats, it is possible to have many different lengths of
span up to 48". Non slip sand cast surface.
9 GAUGE
PUNCHED
Metal -Black or
Galvanized
Up to 12' wide.
Any length to
10' long.
Buy Direct From
ELAM M. MARTIN
MACHINERY MANUFACTURING
R.R. 3, Wallenstein, Ont.
519-669-3786
44 THE RURAL VOICE
NEWS
QUEEN'S BUSH DOES BRISK BUSINESS
The operators of the Queen's Bush
Rural Ministry, the telephone help line
recently established by the Grey -Bruce
Presbytery of the United Church to as-
sist rural people with family, financial,
or mental health problems, are sorry to
be in business.
They're sorry because they wish the
problems weren't out there. At the same
time, they want very much to help in
whatever ways they can.
Both of the two consultants hired to
advise and counsel the rural community
have experienced financial difficulties
on their own farms and know the Farm
Debt Review process first-hand.
Brenda Mason is well -versed in the
federal and provincial programs avail-
able to farmers. Brian Ireland is
equipped to make proposals on behalf of
individuals to lending institutions or to
refer clients to the professionals in the
field. When it comes to coping with the
stress of farm life, both attended "the
school of hard knocks."
Ireland says the ministry is getting
between 2 and 15 calls a day, and the
program is just starting to become
known in the rural communities. Col-
lect calls are accepted at any time of the
day or night.
The time spent with a caller varies.
"Sometimes they just want a compas-
sionate ear," Ireland says, "I try to find
out just what they want and then match
the problem with the appropriate serv-
ice, if they so desire."
Sometimes it is just a matter of in-
forming people of the appropriate per-
son or agency to contact for assistance
— often callers are not aware of the
various programs available.
Since the program began on Decem-
ber 10, calls have included problems
with family, mental health, stress, and
finances. "Some people just need some-
one to talk to when they feel they are in
a crisis situation," Ireland says. "Often
they find it easier to call another farmer
rather than a government agency, or
they prefer to talk to someone who has
gone through a similar situation."
Ireland also reports that he has been
in contact with staff from the help -line
service offered by the Ontario govern-
ment. They were pleased to see a non-
govemment program starting up, Ire-
land says, because they felt they were
missing calls from people who won't
call a government agency for help.
The Queen's Bush Rural Ministry
has, in part, been designed to help the
people who have fallen through the
cracks of other assistance programs or
who just don't meet the criteria for other
programs, Ireland says. A person who is
losing his farm, for example, may not
have money for basics, but he can't
apply for welfare because he has assets.
The project got its start when a Tiv-
erton -area minister noticed a high rate of
suicide and premature death among his
rural charges. The minister voiced his
concerns, and although the original pro-
posal was stalled, the proposal to set up
a ministry was eventually accepted.
The project is named after the area it
initially covered, the Queen's Bush
tract, but the project knows no bounda-
ries. It operates under the guidance of 10
directors representing several church
denominations and farm groups. All of
the directors have experience with agri-
culturally related problems, whether
through facing their own financial
crisis or through counselling someone
who has experienced financial troubles.
"I had heard several comments
about the church not getting involved in
the rural crisis. This is a good start,"
Ireland says. He adds that society has an
estabished pattern in dealing with a
death in the family. People in the com-
munity send food, offer support, and
extend condolences by attending the fu-
neral. But Ireland says that when it
comes to a farm crisis there is no estab-
lished response. At times, he adds,
people grieve as much when they lose
their farm as they would if they lost a
family member.
The two consultants are now com-
piling a catalogue of services for callers
who want to seek further assistance after
their initial phone call.
Ireland and Mason also report that
they have a list of people who have vol-
unteered their time, and they are receiv-
ing calls from many individuals who
have heard about the project and wish to
offer their services.
All calls are confidential. The
number (call collect) is 519-392-6090.0
Sharon Grose