Train station.

[furrowtickler]

Problem is , absolutely no one in ag industry willing to give farmers the time of day anymore unless your 10-15,000 acres or larger
they see most of us as a waste of time

[westernvicki]

All sizes of farmers need decent policy. Economies of scale cannot beat unfavourable agriculture, logistics and trade policy.

Agriculture thrives within a nation whose policy understands the value of foreign currency and trade. Case in point Russia that went from an importer of Canadian in 1990 grain to feed itself to being the largest global supplier of many commodities and resources.

Resource industries, including agriculture do not thrive within a nation that does not recognize and value the contribution to GDP.

[rastafarian]

I seriously Doubt Pierre will do anything.. after all it was the Indian govt that bought party memberships so he could Become Leader

[shtferbrains]

I seriously Doubt Pierre will do anything.. after all it was the Indian govt that bought party memberships so he could Become Leader

I don't recall who he ran against?
Was it a close race?

Is this the one?
India sure doesn't fool around when they buy votes.

[rastafarian]

Patrick Brown was the best candidate but PP sabotaged his campaign

[shtferbrains]

So you think Patrick Brown was a better choice?
That's your guy?
Your guy seems to be carrying some heavy baggage for a shot at being the PM?

[the big wheel]

Patrick Brown, Klondike papers, David Wallace,

[blackpowder]

I suppose there are different levels of politics, in the news and behind the scenes by the long term grunts.
Making deals and defending sovereignty, straddling a razor I'm sure.
We've never been able to carry a big stick. But wouldn't it be nice to be led by some grizzled old relic who's actually slit some throats in his life?
Can you think of many national leaders lately presenting a long term vision? Mao, Ho (arguably), and to a lesser degree in post war democracies, LBJ (civil rights), Reagan, Thatcher?
Twinkletoes truly believes his legacy of Kumbaya will be the guiding light.
Lincoln knew better when he spoke of better angels.
So what's the difference between them. National pride and identity perhaps. Along with a clear realistic vision and steel like morals and purpose founded in personal experience soaked in sweat and blood. See where we are?

"Commodity groups"
Ever notice a sea change takes a nearly scorched earth event to begin.
Civil wars or the CWB take your pick.
Eunichs all of them.
WCWGA doesn't even mention C-293. Castrated.
Vicki. Are we that far out of the loop that either a) we ourselves really don't have a clue, or b) those in the loop are so high on each other's farts they are oblivious? Why do you get shuffled off to the side at meetings.
Either way, trade can happen, and will with or without us, diplomatic tiffs will happen, but who's playing chess and who's playing checkers?
Long vision with a realistic world view and a nationalistic purpose.
No, they're playing silly buggers and will be proven fools.

[blackpowder]

Remember, 2.1% of our population considered terrorists by India. And it won't follow the "rules".

[westernvicki]

blackpowder Question: Vicki. Are we that far out of the loop that either a) we ourselves really don't have a clue, or b) those in the loop are so high on each other's farts they are oblivious? Why do you get shuffled off to the side at meetings.

Go along to get along. It is a rule of life.
1/ Have you ever noticed at a farm meeting, all the representatives and staff will sit at one table versus, intermingling and talking to their constituents. I like to mingle and so I do not seek to join those tables or groups.

2/ Light hearted conversation is more sociable, so avoiding me is a good plan.

blackpowder made the comment early on on who about the under 50 and the over 50 and the question who actually cares what is going on, its true most of us have been lulled by prosperity and the stresses of farm and family transition.

Regarding our level of awareness: for the individual there are a multitude of reasons, farms are bigger the younger generation has been caught up in operations, information and involvement take time often the elders are looking for a less stressful environment to focus their time, and indeed we have been reasonably prosperous so that is its own sedative.

Provincial farm organizations have focused on production and not policy awareness at regional and annual meetings. National boards have been granted the voice of policy. To the best of my knowledge a National Policy report is not part of annual Provincial meetings. At regional and provincial meeting strategic involvement would be a valuable asset of communication to growers.

'Question: Do we have a failure of accountability to their farm membership by national boards?

ie: Despite millions of dollars of farmer funding national boards like Pulse Canada have not presented on national and international issues, at a Provincial pulse meeting in years. They used to!

The big question is: Are leaders leading? Who is strategic thinking? How are important industry issues communicated to keep the grassroots engaged and informed. Have we as growers made this a priority?

All the above is why we are here today with no voice.

Have farmers allowed ourselves to become floating cork on that "water water everywhere and not a drop to drink" ocean of policy?

Is this where we want to be?