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Times Advocate, 1994-12-21, Page 34Page 34 Times -Advocate, December 21, 1994 ___EARM One Foot in the Furrow Reap economic rewards By Bob Trotter Christmas is just what you make it . Dylan Thomas said it so well: "One Christmas was so much like another, in those years... that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and nights when I was six." When your hair is as grey as a badger's and the liver spots on your arms and face are difficult to distinguish from your skin, you know about Christmas. This jolly codger has been around for almost 70 Christmases and it is difficult to re- member many of them.Those early years in my home town of Lindsay, Ontario during the Great sion-were--memerable. My-father-main- tained y-father--mai tained a job all through those terrible years when many families had so little. But I do not remem- ber being "poor". I remember not having many toys or trips that more affluent families had but we did not consider ourselves "poor" although food was not abundant and hand-me-down clothes were the norm. I even wore my sister's skates for a few weeks one year with the toes stuffed with newspapers. I don't remember feel- ing deprived, though. My first year away from home during the Sec- ond World War -- I was only 17 because 1 lied about my age to get into the navy; we did things like that in those days -- stands out , too. I was a lonely Anglo in Quebec City in 1943. The first year my lady and I were married was a special year. We hurried home from where we were living and divided our day between her pa- rental home and mine. By the end of the day, we were so stuffed with turkey we couldn't move. Each of the years when a new baby graced our home -was also memorable and when the grand- children arrived, an entirely new dimension came to this wonderful time of year, this holiday of holidays. Those who decry the commercialization of Christmas have a point, mind you. The buy -buy - buy aspect is enough to make even old Ebeneezer Scrooge barf. Christmas is, though, just what you make it, in spite of or even because of, the glitz, the lights, the razzle-dazzle. In our house it has always been the happiest tinge of the year. It is a great day when the love and friendship is almost palpable in the households of all the families connected to us. We open presents Christmas morning 'neath the tree laughingly de- riding one son-in-law whose tradition was to open presents Christmas Eve. We eat a huge breakfast about 10 a.m. and then stuff the turkey. We then enjoy a big dinner pre- pared by my lady and our three daughters and their husbands. GUELPH - Organic farmers re- ceive higher financial returns than conventional fanners, according to preliminary studies that compared farming methods. The study by University of Guelph agricultural economist Pe- ter Stonehouse compared seven or- ganic farmers with nine farmers with reduced chemical inputs and 11 conventional farmers. In terms of economic success, the study found that organic farming scored highest and conventional farmers scored lowest. Organic products attract a premi- um price in the marketplace, but profitability is also increased by lower costs for production and ma- chinery. As Stonehouse notes: "Or- ganic farmers strive to reduce capi- tal inputs in farming." n- We have -six grandchildren -ranging in -age -from ---me study -was initially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture, Food and Rural Affairs Food Systems 2002 program, which strives to reduce dependency on chemical pesticides by 50 percent by the year 2000. The study has been critic;zed by some in the agri-food industry be- cause of its small sample size and variations in size of farm opera- tions, types of livestock and crops, 22 to four and the four-year-old this year has been starry-eyed for weeks. Whoever said that Christ- mas was for children hit the nail. Without them around, the day would be quite empty. A highlight of the season for us is attending at least one and sometimes two Christmas pageants. When we lived in the country, the entire school participated in those glorious Christmas stories and every bedsheet and bathrobe in the township appeared on stage. These days, though, we go to city schools and it isn't quite the same although the fun still abounds. What impresses me more than anything is the singing done by the students. Back in the days when I went to school, "music" was considered a frill and very little instruction was offered. These days, what with instruments and choral training, those clear -as -a -bell voices ring out wonderfully sweet and true with the songs and carols that brighten the season. It was great music again this year and great spir- itual food to nourish this old soul. When you hear 200 young voices raised in praise, 400 eyes eager- ly riveted on a music teacher, you know those kids are learning something. Merry Christmas to all you wonderful readers. "Peace on earth to men (and women) of good- will." Farm safety concerns CLINTON - A dairy farmer called recently with some farm safety concerns. He had experi- enced flu like conditions after cleaning up in preparation for stor- ing the new crop. He'd been ill for a two or three day period, but was back to normal at the time of his call. There are two respiratory diseas- es that are caused by exposure to dusty conditions on the farm. Farmer's Lung is an allergy caused by dust from moldy hay, straw and grain. In the early stage it can seem like nothing worse than a nagging winter cold. If ignored, the allergic reaction can cause per- manent" lung damage. Working with dusty feed can produce an- other respiratory affliction called Toxic Organic Dust Syndrome (TODS). It, too, is caused by expo- sure to very large amounts of dust. Symptoms of acute Farmer's Lung include: fever, chills, a drip- ping nose, an irritating and harass- ing cough, blood -streaked sputum, laboured or difficult breathing with a feeling of tightness in the chest, crackling breathing, muscu- lar pain and depression. These symptoms of an acute Farmer's Lung attack usually decrease after 12 hours, but may linger for up to two weeks. Severe attacks can last as long as 12 weeks. Well documented reference ma- terial is available for those who wish more information. The Farm Safety Association offers a fact - sheet entitled "Farmer's Lung: It Takes Your Breath Away!" As well, the Huron -Perth Lung Asso- ciation has prepared a pamphlet entitled "Farmer's Lung." Safety officials agree that the fanning community tends to un- derestimate the potential danger of dusty conditions. A farmer who is working indoors can inhale a large amount of dust in a very short LIKE MOTHER MEM Rai 01110ir:c `-m a fi LIKE DAUGHTER Imitation is the best flattery. And Ford New Holland scale models are no exception. Repro- duced from engineering blueprints, these replicas have details so realistic they look just like the big ones in the field. Ford New Holland toy replicas are die-cast for extra strength...they'II stand up to more than one childhood. And, just maybe, the toys your children play with today will be the tools they use tomorrow. LONDON '. FORD NEW HOLLAND eI 7-A�; jk HEW HOLIMD A DIVISION OF COLD SPRINGS FARM UMIT liwriviret • Wast at Parc Rd, Hyde Park orf. : (519) 641.M20, Fax (519)6414756 • time. There are several measures that will minimize exposure to dust. ' - Provide as much ventilation as possible when working in dusty ar- eas. - move the work outdoors when- ever possible. - avoid dusty work in confined areas. Keep facilities as open as possible. - keep your distance when you have to work with moldy material - wet down the area when clean- ing out grain bins or other areas that are likely to be dusty. An approved toxic dust respirator is recommended for dusty condi- tions. The device has to be worn correctly to ensure that no leakage occurs around the seal. If there is a leak, you can be sure the contami- nated air will come through. Facial hair, either a full beard or one day stubble can prevent a good seal. The literature describes a quick and easy method to check that there isn't a leak in the protection device. Safety people are becoming in- creasingly alarmed about the dan- gers of working in dusty condi- tions. In Huron County it's not difficult to encounter someone who has to be very careful about dust because of too much exposure ear- lier in their life. debt loads and farm practices. Stonehouse, who would like access to more organic farming data, de- fends the study by emphasizing that such information is needed to safe- guard environmental and human health, and to determine why some conventional farmers are switching to organic farming. Despite organic farming's finan- cial rewards, Stonehouse is quick to point out that it is probably not the way of the future. He predicts that about 10 to 15 percent of farms will eventually support organic meth- ods. Organic farms now make up only about two to three percent of all Canadian farms. A considera- tion for the farmer is that organic farming is more labor-intensive than conventional farming, Stone- house says. Organic farming in- volves a different philosophy and requires different management skills. In addition, to be certified or- ganic, crops must be grown on lands that have been free of any chemicals for at least three years. He believes that organic farming will gain more acceptance because the public continues to be con- cerned about food quality, health and the environment. may' Happy Holidays Thanks to our customers and friends for your patronage. We look forward to serving you in the New Year Scott Cooper Alpine Plant Foods Limited P.O. Box 730, New Hamburg, Ont. Call Scott Cooper 263-6108, Mobile 671-0743 - -' ,, - - -.. - /14 �" I'�/. '.lam, aim \<�` .>\‘r 1'' The Christmas miracle... a Child is born and with Him comes the peace and joy of His love. May this peace and joy which is the glory of this holy season be an inspiration and a comfort to all. To our many friends and valued customers, we thank you for your patronage M yod.nd your family enjoy the festive season, please accept our thanks for the gift of your warm friendship and loyal patronage Thank you for your patronage in 1994 and we look forward to serving you in 1995 The Management and staff HYDE IIIIOTIIHIS iii FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED (Hi Honsall Store !R1 Runnoch $$.r. 519-262-2605 319-229-6700