Media Clipping — Apr. 27, 2001, The Kentville Advertiser

And the farmers say...

By Brent Fox

hings could be bad overall in the agricultural sector, but farming still offers opportunities, according to local farmers.

The Industry and the society it supports, however, have to be wary.

The 71-page GPI Atlantic report "Farm Viability and Economic Capacity in Nova Scotia" says farm receipts have risen 12 per cent in 28 years, but total farm incomes have declined by 46 per cent. Farm debt has increased by 300 to 900 per cent, while subsidies are declining. Farm incomes are in decline, though supply managed commodities, direct marketers, and organic producers may be exceptions.

If things continue, there could be a demise in the apple, vegetable, beef and pork sectors.

The report warns that an inadequate return for farm produce could negatively affect social and environmental well-being and this would ultimately affect land use and food security in the future.

GPI Alantic president Ron Colman said, "It’s only bad news if you ignore it. As soon as it’s recognized, we can do something about it."

A number of local producers attended the unveiling of the report at Sheffield Mills on April 24.

Kings County Federation of Agriculture president Hank Bosveld told The Advertiser that though some government statistics are generally questionable, the picture presented by the report "is somewhat realistic." Overall, "I’m quite sure it is bad as is being predicted."

Bosveld pointed out that "we chose to be farmers, this type of life." He noted, however, that "food is the first thing in life, and I think that we as producers have to convince the politicians and the public of the importance of food." He said that all it takes is one fanatic somewhere in the world to disrupt food production and supply as happened during the Second World War.

Farmer Richard Hennigar, who helped present the report, said that "when the net income drops below zero, we’re going to see a lot of things missing, and not just for producers."

He said that the county has been "one of the top growing areas in the province" since the first European settlements. And if agriculture is not viable financially,"other areas (of life) will suffer - economically, ecologically and socially."

Farmer Glenn Ells told those assembled that the figures shown are an average and that since the 1940s, he has seen "agriculture make genuine progress. Farmers’ standard of living is higher now than in the 1940s."

Ells explained, "I really think that people still see farming as a mission to produce high quality, reasonably-priced food to the people of the country and to contribute to the rural community. A lot of farm families are enjoying a high standard of living and are making a large contribution to society."

He noted that the value of land has increased over the decades, as well.

In his community, lands are not going out of agriculture as they are in some places, but he acknowledged that some farmers elsewhere could find it more viable to sell land for other, non-farm" uses.

Ells said that the report "is a good effort, but I have to caution you not to rely too heavily on Statistics Canada."

Organic grower Alex Denicola said, "this isn’t pleasant news. There are a number of headaches for farmers across the country and we’re losing resources." By subtracting the costs of the industry, "maybe we’re getting a clearer picture."

Farmer Bill Swetnam said that life is better for farmers. People "are making advances" through technology.

Swetnam acknowledged, however, that the technology comes at a price, and that adds to farm debt. And the public does not fully appreciate the extent of investment needed in farming. "We have to inform the public of the importance of agriculture and the need for technology," he said, including GM0s - genetically modified products. "We have technology onside, but the public is pulling away from it." Kings County agriculture benefits from being diversified, he said. "The challenges are great, but we have great opportunities."

Copyright © 2001 The Kentville Advertiser