Farmers should be stewards of the land. Their work should be recognized as such especially if they strive to use people friendly and environmentally friendly practices. Farmers who do not should be working towards such an ideal in a time where climate chaos is beginning to take shape and where unjust, uncaring corporations or governments continue with business as usual.
Business as usual and the status quo has to be challenged and changed. Farmers alone cannot hope to achieve that change without the rest of us trying to do the same in small ways that escalate into a tidal wave of alterations.
Note: This commentary is by the OFA which represents the vast majority of farmers who may not be using environmentally friendly practices all the time. Another group, small and yet still growing in strength is the National Farmers Union. Many of its leaders are true advocates for people friendly and environmentally friendly practices. They 2 groups have often had their differences. The world will not be changed in a night. Only if all of us can set aside our differences (i.e. not let the past weigh us down) can we hope to envision a brighter future.
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Planning to make a difference
OFA Commentary #0208
By Bette Jean Crews, Vice-President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
January 9, 2008
It’s a widely accepted theory that the best place for farmers to market their produce is in their immediate community. Even our provincial government has adopted that thinking with its promotion to citizens of Ontario to ‘buy local.’
Carl Hiebert and Deb Cripps, writers, travelers and farmers from the Linwood area of Waterloo County, have joined the chorus of individuals and groups urging consumers to buy their food from the local farmers who grow the products. Their promotion comes in the form of a colourful book called ‘Keepers of the Land…A celebration of Canadian farmers.’
When we review all the tainted food issues that surfaced last year, there should be no doubt that the intent of the couple’s book is well timed. They say the main reasons for eating locally-produced food are taste and nutrition. Then they outline a number of economic reasons: when you buy from local farmers, you are supporting local businesses and providing income for families in your own community.
‘Buying local also helps preserve the rural heritage and keep food dollars where they belong,’ their book states.
They point out how buying local benefits the environment as less fuel is burned getting produce to your neighbourhood market and your kitchen table. They refer to a study done in the Waterloo Region that showed the average distance traveled by imported food items was 4,497 kilometres from field to fork.
By their calculations, if consumers in their home area substituted locally-grown produce for imports, there could be a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 16,191 cars off the road.
Their book urges people to take pride in Canada – promoting the purchase of Canadian grown and produced food and products as a first choice. Product identification labeling is highlighted in the book. They urge consumers to demand clear identification of producers and country of origin on all packaging.
If we don’t know something is truly product of Canada, it becomes impossible to show our pride as Canadians and buy food that is produced by Canadians.
Concerns about the future of Canadian agriculture, regulations governing product labeling and other factors impacting the future of farmers should be brought to the attention of Members of Parliament, the book states – something we at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture do on a regular basis.
Because MPs are elected by the citizens of Canada, not organizations like the OFA, it is essential that the citizens take the time to make such points with their own MP – not just once but on an on-going basis.
This book is not a heavy read – most of the 168 pages have a high content of gorgeous colour photographs taken by Carl as he traveled across Canada – ocean to ocean – on his 1949 red tractor.
The message to those reading the book is one every farmer would endorse – buy the food that’s produced locally – and help keep the rural economy strong and healthy.
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