Agriculture 2002, 2002-03-13, Page 11fveS. (Yr, a
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002. PAGE A-11.
Agriculture 2002
OPIC gets good grades on first year report card
Developing a mandate and identi-
fying a series of goals is a challenge
for any farm organization but mem-
bers of the Ontario Pork Industry
Council (OPIC) are "to be congratu-
lated on the success of their organi-
zation, now a year old. In that time,
OPIC has co-ordinated an analysis
of the pork industry in Ontario and
drawn together an impressive mem-
bership of more than 50 companies
and services, working together to
promote unity and stability within
the pork sector.
With the mission statement,
"Building a stronger pork industry in
Ontario", the council ultimately
seeks to represent the varied inter-
ests of its members. Construction,
environmental management, financ-
ing, feed and trucking are just some
of the sectors represented within the
Council.
Foremost on its first-year agenda
has been the revision of a Strengths,
Weaknesses; Opportunities and
Threats (SWOT) analysis first car-
ried out in 1998. For OPIC chair Dr.
George Charbonneau, the comple-
tion of that analysis is as important a
first step for the council as there is..
"We've set a good pace as far as
issues management," says
Charbonneau, referring to the devel-.
opment of what he calls a 'living
document' on the OPIC website
(www.opic.on.ca). That will con-.
stantly change and reflect the evolu-
tionary nature throughout the mem-
bership chain.
Charbonneau believes it to be a
first in terms of organizing such
information and making it accessible
and open for discussion among such
a wide range of interests. "In terms
of prioritizing issues, we need to
expand our scope and people that are
more actively involved, to say that
we're addressing the issues we need
to address."
Another challenge for the council
will be seen in its response time on
certain issues. Where a proactive
approach has been taken, OPIC can
respond very quickly to issues as the
membership will already have been
canvassed for opinions based on
their perspective. Charbonneau
makes no apology on a relatively
slower response time on some
emerging issues.
Serving up
fruits of labour
Continued from A-10
the plants will have grown, some-
times as high as six or seven feet, so
they will be cut down with a bush
hog.
In the off-time Rita looks for inno-
vative and tasty ways to serve up her
favourite vegetable. "I'm trying to
pickle it this year."
Asparagus Casserole
2 lbs asparagus, boiled until
desired crispness
Place in casserole. Top with one
can of undiluted mushroom soup
and 1/2-1 cup of grated cheese
Croutons are optional.
Place in microwave on HIGH
until cheese is melted about 2-3
minutes.
Top with hard-boiled egg if
desired.
Ham Asparagus Bake
Cook 2. lbs asparagus until desired
crispness.
Place 3 spears on finely-sliced
ham and roll. Place in casserole.
Cover with cream of mushroom soup
and grated cheese. Microwave on
HIGH for 2-3 minutes.
With such diversity among council
members, it's difficult to react with
the immediacy of some organiza-
tions whose membership is represen-
tative of fewer 'links' in the supply
chain.
"By definition, we will almost
always be a little slow to respond to
a new question or issue," he
explains. Although it could be seen
by -some as a step backwards,
Charbonneau chooses to view a
slower response as a valuable learn-
ing opportunity. A stakeholder with a
particular opinion may develop a
degree of new-found empathy for
another member, a perspective made
possible by being a part of the coun-
cil.
"People's initial reactions may be
,different compared to their final
thought& once they've heard how the
whole picture comes together for the
supply chain," says Charbonneau,
who also served as president of the
Ontario Pork Congress in the mid-
1990s and operates a veterinary clin-
ic in Stratford. "So when you visit
that particular issue with a number
of other people up and down the sup-
ply chain, it can change."
The other challenge which OPIC
hopes to address this year is shared
seemingly by everyone in agricul-
ture: the leaders of tomorrow and
where will they be found.
Charbonneau agrees the leadership
issue needs to be addressed, espe-
cially with time constraints and an
aging farm population. Part of the
process is to bring a person into the
organization and feed their interest
in the industry, providing the tools
that help them develop and be part of
the 'next generation' of leaders wait-
ing in the wings.
Another task this year will be to
expand the Council's membership
list, another part of the group's man-
date to provide access to an organ-
ized forum to help-resolve key issues
and interact with other sectors
involved in the industry. The other
major event on OPIC's calendar is
the annual Golf Day, May 29 at the
St. Marys Golf Club.