Right on! I feel about the same as you do. As a member of the California
Farm Bureau and the Cal Assoc of Nurserymen I have experiences good and
bad. The main thing is to keep plugging away and pointing out those who are
succeeeding.
>OK, the discussion has been interesting and enlightening. I do feel at
>this point I need to add my "two-bits". I attend several County Farm
>Bureau meetings a year. Their policies drive me up the wall, but they are
>good folks. I bite my tongue a lot, sometimes not enough. They know
>somewhat where I stand, but we work well together. I appreciate their
>support. They provide the financial backing for a Tour of Ag for
>policymakers and business people and anyone interested. This seems to be
>a critical undertaking to make people aware of the economic importance of
>ag in our area and also to expose them to some of the variety in ag. Each
>year we go to one area of the county, to one large and one small dairy
>farm, to an apple orchard or direct market vegetable stand, and to one
>"odd-ball". Last year the odd-ball was a race horse stable.
>
>They know, as do the farmers who go through my basic 12-hour pest
>management program, that I am pretty "radical" in my views. For instance,
>that if I'd be much harder on them than our DEC is about pesticides.
>Same with manure, soil erosion, personal injury and liability, etc.
>
>We find common ground to work on. I respect their knowledge and
>experience, but try to open their minds to other possibilities. Sometimes
>I make headway, sometimes not. I do get their attention though and they
>(I think) value the insights into what others think.
>
>There are alternatives to current policies - other members get involved
>and go to the policy setting meetings. Preferably get involved on a
>regular basis and do your job. The exposure to a financially successful
>"sustainable" farmer could do wonders.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Beth Spaugh CENET: bspaugh
>Cornell Cooperative Extension, INTERNET: bspaugh@cce.cornell.edu
> Clinton County VOICE: 518-561-7450
>6064 Route 22 FAX: 518-561-0183
>Plattsburgh NY 12901
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