A4-What Action Step(s) Are You Prepared to Take From the Information You Have Gathered Today?

Question by: Julie Hryniewicz-Hache

Participants: Pamela, Gill, John, Vicki Schmolka, Garry, Jeff, Julie Hryniewicz-Hache 

KNOWLEDGE + ACTION = Change and Growth; therefore, what action are you prepared to take from the information you have gathered today?

Pamela (Political Science Graduate): Had never met a farmer before.  After being here today realized how politicians don't understand farming.  Farmers understand farming.  Government are in it for the short haul and farmers are in it for the long haul.  ACTION STEP: To write Member of Parliament with observations to suggest that they listen to farmers & test out their suggestions as they are the ones who know what they need. 

Gill (Farming for More Than 40 Years): Bureaucracy is so bad.  Example Oceans and Fisheries makes farming with a water source a very difficult process with red tape.  Feels that property rights should mean right to the property, and yet Oceans and Fisheries doesn't respect those rights.  ACTION STEP: lobbying MP & MPP in area & ministries; sitting on committees in this area.

John (Farming for More Than 30 Years): Goal is to be profitable and sustainable.  ACTION STEP: Continue going out to functions like this, at own cost, to bring awareness of the issues facing farmers.

Vicki (City Council): Interested in the role of urban agriculture and how we can promote farming in the area.  ACTION STEP: Research property rights, as it was an issue raised by three long-term farmers in the group.

Garry (Farmer All Life): Today realized that even highly educated people don't understand the farming industry.  My fellow farmers have given up and are tired and won't even come out any more.  People who have never worked the grounds, don't know the industry.  ACTION STEP: Try to go back and convey the message to the fellow farmers and go back to them and tell them what is really happening out there.  Perhaps reorganize farmers to get regulations revamped to make farming more sustainable.  

Julie (from Sault Ste. Marie AgendaCamp): Realizes that there is a need for co-op farming or opportunities for individuals who live in poverty or are unemployed. ACTION STEP:  Will look into ways to farm her 50 acres, that can perhaps involve co-op partners with expertise.

Jeff (Master's Student in Economics): Wasn't aware of challenges of farming.  Appears to be a disconnect between Government and creating proper incentives for young people to get into farming.  ACTION STEP:  Have Government to listen more to what the farmers need.  Being more aware of what he is buying and promote shopping for locally generated products.  Futhermore, when working for Agriculture Canada, as planned, he will listen to the farmers, because some things of what he heard from farmers just doesn't make sense.    

A small farmer who has quit:

The one thing that you could do, that will really accomplish something. Plant a garden even a small one, find heirloom open-pollinated seeds and start saving  seeds. The battlelines have been drawn. Corporate seed control is a fascist corporate horror that we must resist. Support Vandana Shiva and the Farmers of India in their fight to preserve seeds.

The market place serves the corporate few. Think the weeping and wailing of the Banks and Insurance companies was something to listen to? Just wait for Monsanto and Cargill tears. After they have received their due, and not a moment sooner will it occur to t.p.t.b. that they can't do  it.  (thanks for the rant)