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The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-04, Page 5THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 4, 1988 — 5 Women are changing face of agriculture "Women have contributed significantly to agriculture for years and continue to do so, with some notable changes. 1986 Census data from Statistics Canada reveals nearly five per cent of all farm operators are now female." This statement from Statistics Canada is the tip of an iceburg. The sexual revolution has seen women advance into all occupa- tions and farming is no exception. The number of female farm operators is on a steady increase, having gone from 10,914 to 13,409 between 1981 and 1986 for a growth of 23 per cent. What makes this growth stand out even more is the number of Canadian farms actually declined by more than 8 per cent in the same '81-'86 period. "Increases in female operators have oc- curred in nearly every type of farm, while male operators have declined," says Stats Canada. One local woman who exemplifies in- creased female involvement in agriculture is Carolyn Van Dorp. Carolyn lives with her parents and works on her father's hog and dairy farm, but she also has some land of her own and is able to operate the family farm independently when necessary. Carolyn has been involved in farming for about 10 years, and she started working for her father after she graduated from high school. All of Carolyn's knowledge of agriculture has been given to her from her father Tony Van Dorp, and this schooling has been supplemented by seminars spon- sored by various groups such as OMAF. Carolyn is in charge of overseeing the dairy operation on a day-to-day basis. There are about 115 head of Jerseycattle on the farm, and of these 15 belong to her. Carolyn milks 54 of these animals daily, and is also responsible for raising calves as replace- ment stock. While she favors the diary operation, Carolyn is also involved with the hogs, and oversees the piglets until they are weaned. Carolyn came by her own land in 1984 when a farm near the Van Dorp's was of- fered for sale. She suggested to her father that she buy it, more as a joke than as a business proposition, but her father took it seriously. The Van Dorps had been renting land and buying a lot of feed, but this farm would provide 85 acres of workable land, as well as a barn for the 350 hog herd. So a deal was worked out and Carolyn became the owner of her own farm. The 85 acre addition gives the Van Dorps a CAROLYN VAN DORP is one of the many Canadian women who is making her mark in agriculture. Carolyn is actively involved in dairy and hog farming on her family's fern at RR2 Seaforth. Corbett photo. total of 300 workable acres with which to grow feed, and gives them a broader base for crop rotation. There is also a house on Carolyn's property which is in decent condi- tion, and while she hasn't moved in yet she says she may someday. Carolyn works on the farm with her father and her brother-in-law Carmen Drost. While the arrangement is not quite an equal three Way partnership (Dad's still the boss) it isn't quite an employer-employee relation- ship either. It's somewhere in between, and Carolyn and Carmen are welcome to offer suggestions. Carolyn is also active with the Perth - Huron Jersey Club -one of the most active Jersey clubs in the province- and has been the secretary for the past six years. Through this club she has learned about the promotion and sale of Jerseys. Carolyn says there isn't much on a farm a man can do that a woman can't, and says the only place she thinks she may be at a disadvantage to a male farmer is when it comes to heavy lifting. She says it's only natural that women are becoming more in- volved in agriculture. "Stereotypes are changing in other fields, why should farming be any different?" she asks. "Some people have a knack for it; why should they be penalized because they're female?" If present trends continue women will not be held back in agriculture. According to Statistics Canada: "although their farms tend to be smaller and they earn Less than their male counterparts, women are making many gains in farming: the average size of their farms increased by 20 per cent, their gross sales by nearly 70 per cent." What the future in agriculture holds for Carolyn is uncertain, but she isn't worried about it. "I'm happy with what I'm doing," she says. Male supremacy reinforced at cost of females Letter To The Editor: "The victimization of women by men ap- pears to be directly related to our sexist society in which male supremacy is rein- forced at the cost of the female members." Last year, would I have believed this statement? No! Do I now? Yes! Many times, people have asked me if the govern- ment considers the crime of child abuse a feminist problem. I have always said no. I was wrong and I admit this publicly. Look at the way our government is made up. Predominately men! Does the govern- ment believe child abuse is a feminist pro- blem? Yes, you can tell by the lack of con- cern on the governments part to take positive action to better the care system for abused children and the non -offending parent (usually the mother). Society's attitude a few years ago was, "what I don't see won't hurt me." Now there is a new awareness of the problem of child abuse. Society has matured, too bad our pro- vincial government couldn't do the same. The Save Our Children Organization has been fighting the provincial government to mandate long term child abuse therapy pro- grams since September 1987. What progress have we made? We have managed to become a thorn in the governments side! The Minister of Community and Social Services, John Sweeney, continuously tells us there are several service agencies to help abused children. I'm not sure where this man is getting his information from because it's fact, that he is not getting his informa- tion from this community. I also do not believe he is getting this type of information from any other community. I recently attended a workshop put on by the Child Abuse Councils, Treatment Issues Committee on April 11, 1988. Here's what we have to offer Essex County. There were approximately 80 reported LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I:I1I �illlli 11 11 HEALTH ON THE HILL A series of bi-weekly reviews of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Board Accepts Tenders The board at the April meeting accepted the tender of C.J. McNall of Seaforth for lawn rolling at $199.00. It was one of two tenders received. At the same meeting the tender of Pullen Brothers of R.R. 1 Clinton was accepted for grass cutting at $70.00 per cut and $20.00 per trim. Five tenders were received ranging up to $130.00. Rents Hospital Land Casey Klaver, R.R. 1 Dublin was successful in rented 70 acres of vacant hospital land at $70.11 per acre for one year. Mr. Klaver who had rented the property previously, with an option to renew, will continue his option to renew. Budget For Surplus A proposed budget for the 1988 - 89 period with estimated revenue of $3,675,425.00 was accepted by the Board as presented. Total estimated operating costs are $3,619,731.00 leaving an estimated budgetary surplus of $55,694. 1,1. The budget is based on an increase of 5.4% over last year and on an occupany rate of 72%. Advance Computer Study Seaforth Community Hospital moved into the computer age when the Board agreed to employ a computer consultant at a fee of $511.00 per day. Peter Tonin of auditors Touche Ross will be on duty only on those occasions when in the opinion of the hospital computer committee there is a requirement for his services. Auxiliary Joins In Conference Members from the Seaforth Hospital Auxiliary joined with other hospitals to par- ticipate in a spring conference entitled "A Day For Ourselves". Held at Midwestern Centre in Palmerston, the volunteers participated in activities carried on by a nutri- tionist, an aerobic instructor and a doctor with specialties in physiotheraphy. Will Celebrate 55th Anniversary The Hospital Auxiliary will celebrate their 55th anniversary by hosting a dinner at the Legion, June 14, at 6:30. The guest speaker will be Bill Brady, Chairperson of Transplant International. Contact F. Teatero or D. Hays for details. Junior volunteers are raffling tickets for a beautiful tulip quilt, with proceeds to the Hospital Building Fund. The draw for penny sale prizes is scheduled for Saturday mor- ning, May 7. When I Grow Up ... Grades 5 and 6 from Sts School are looking at career possibilities for their life's work. A tour of many hospital departments this past week gave them many possibilities to consider. Adam Agar was impressed with the lab and all the electronic equipment and ex- periments the lab technicians did. Stephen Vanden Hengel felt it was best to start off washing floors until becoming use to hospital life, then he would branch into pharmacy. Mike Poland liked the computer the maintenance men worked with, while Mike Devereaux expressed appreciation of all the treatments the physiotherapist employed to make pain go away. Jeff Grobbink felt Seaforth Hospital was lacking in male nurses and that it would be a neat job. cases of child abuse in 1987 of preschool children. On a good day with no waiting lists, we are able to service 25 percent of these children. In the Latency age category (6-12 years ig age) we were able to sex -vice approximately 30 percent of the reported cases. For adolescents, 13-16 years of age, it got better, we were able to service approx- imately 50 percent. What happens to the 75 percent of preschoolers, 70 percent of laten- cy aged children and the 50 percent of adolescents that we could not service. They fell through the slats of an uncaring system ! That will be put in the past as the Save Our Children Organization intends to see some major changes and right quickly. The government may have felt safely tucked away in their ivory towers, since the ones in Toronto have never had to deal with us face to face. But that will be changing very quickly. This organization's members have spent many hours and dollars (their own) trying to show the government the need for these changes. We are not going away until our job is done. If it isn't, Peterson had best enjoy his last three years as Premier. Every member of the .provincial govern- ment has a copy of our petition for the public to read and sign if they wish to. If you don't find this petition available to you at your local M.P.P.s office please write to: SAVE OUR CHILDREN ORGANIZATION, 2645 Totten Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 1Y2. We will be happy to send you a copy as we need your help to mandate long term child abuse therapy treatment programs. Our children depend on us to protect their health and welfare. Sincerely, Arlene Rousseau President Save Our Children Organization Windsor and Essex County Minister asked to 'save the children' Open Letter to Minister John Sweeney; I am not writing to you today as the secretary of the Save Our Children Organization. I wish to appeal to your sense of justice and compassion on the basis of be- ing a parent and practising Catholic. The Church struggles with the issue of moral in- justices just as we as individuals must seek answers. I understand how the issue of child sexual abuse is one of difficulty for all of us. As a child who lived in a sexual abuse free home, I feel thankful to my parents. My TE -EM FARM MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL OUR 9 GREENHOUSES ARE FULL OF *Bedding Planta *Geraniums •Perennials *Tuberous Begonias *Hanging Baskets •Over 200 Roses, Lots of Nursery Stock, plus Fertilizer, Peatmoas, etc. *Greenhouse Tomatoes & English Cucumbers are ready! ALSO (Weather Permitting) OUR OWN ASPARAGUS 7111 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK R.R. 1 BAYFIELD 482-3020 FREE 31/2" POTTED GERANIUM To All Mothers Making A Purchase on MOTHER'S DAY T MARKET children are very lucky to have survived their earliest years free of sexual abuse in a society which seems destined to self- destruct. People have asked me why I became in- volved with this issue. The Church teaches us we are all God's children and I believe that we adults are responsible for the safety and well-being of all - especially children. Because sexual intercourse is a gift from God for the recreation of life, I have difficul- ty understanding why an alarming percen- Turn to page 18 STOREMADE GARLIC OR PLAIN SAUSAGE La.. 5 INSIDE ROUND 9 BACON PATTIES STEAK or ROAST LB. 1.79 0 3.09 BONELESS HAM FOR FRYING LB. 1.99 74 21 I! PORK BUTT LB �,39 CHOPS WMtd V*rlilty of FROZEN FISH & SEAFOOD ROPER ON SALE 5 H.P. ■ ILLER POWER DRIVEN 8 H.P. RIDER WITH BAGGER $1599.00 NOT AS ILLUSTRATED SEE THE COMPLETE ROPER LINEUP 7 ON SALE Sf,,,,..., T =AFORTH 527-0120 ,.,..____,.... V1NCENT FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED c�T3aii1. t._ s(AroamH r AYR •' CAMBRIDGr • WOOr)SIO� M Roper It Stays Here.. We've got over 300 helpers! This large number of canvassers are volunteers who are helping us to support individuals to live and work in their community Now we need your help when they come to your door with their packet of seeds. The bright marigolds will give you enjoyment all summer but more than that they'll remind you of the part you played in enriching the lives of our fellow citizens. We, as trustees of your contributions, carefully use these funds for supports to people not covered by government grants, equipment for home and work and community awareness and prevention activities. Your response to this army of helpers has, to the best of our knowledge, been the best of any area in Canada. That's great encouragement to those of us who serve on the board and some fifteen committees. Flowers of Hope Goal $203000 te All proceeds from the Flowers of Hope campaign are used to support the local work. South Huron and Distinct Association for the Mentally Handicapped OFFICIALS - Victor Knip, President, CTEE Annie Boersma, John Gray, Executive Director