Canola checkoff dollars could soon be used to get younger farmers more involved in the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA).
Most of the association’s $1-a-tonne checkoff goes to promote canola consumption crop and improve yields. But MCGA president Rob Pettinger said in an interview following the association’s March 1 annual meeting it might be time to invest in getting new blood.
“It could be good use of some of our money to develop the leaders of tomorrow,” he said, adding that the current directors are near the end of their farming careers.
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“Most of us who are on these boards came up through the cooperative elevators’ associations and we had the opportunity to get involved in the democratic process and to learn through that process. Now for the young farmers it’s very limited.”
Pettinger started off on a Manitoba Pool Elevators (MPE) subdistrict council in 1970, eventually becoming a director of the now defunct farmer-owned co-operative.
When he became a Pool delegate, Pettinger said he went to Winnipeg for three or four days to learn about the Pool’s democratic process.
Fellow MCGA directors Butch Harder of Lowe Farm and Huge Drake of Elkhorn were also MPE directors. MCGA vice-president Ed Rempel was an MPE delegate.
MCGA director Ernie Sirksi served as a director with United Grain Growers (UGG), while MCGA treasurer Bruce Dalgarno was a UGG delegate.
Pettinger said the MCGA will explore working with the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ young farmers’ group.
“If we don’t develop some new leaders the organization is in trouble,” he said.
ATTENDANCE UP
Meanwhile, the MCGA appears to have found a way to get more farmers to attend its annual meetings. Around 250 farmers attended this year’s – held in conjunction with a combine clinic. Admission to the clinic was $50 a person.
Last year only about 40 farmers showed up. In 2008, only 16 of the association’s more than 9,000 members attended the annual meeting.
Despite the boost in attendance, few participated in the annual meeting or a special meeting to discuss proposed new bylaws.
Many appeared clueless about what was going on when the special meeting got bogged down with procedural wrangling and references to resolutions and events from past annual meetings.
While resolutions were being debated during the annual meeting, most in attendance were either standing in line for lunch or eating it.
Six resolutions came to the meeting – two were passed, three were withdrawn and one was defeated.
RESOLUTIONS
Members passed a resolution moved by MCGA director Dale Gryba for the MCGA to encourage, promote or develop a farmer-friendly delivery and production contract. The way technical use agreements and variety declaration agreements are worded puts too much liability on farmers, MCGA director Butch Harder said.
“Frankly if there is some misunderstanding someplace a farmer could in fact be prevented from growing certain crops,” he said.
“In theory a farmer could be responsible for a whole boatload of grain (if it’s contaminated).
“The input suppliers have all the power and the farmers have nothing.”
Two similar resolutions from St. Francois Xavier farmer Ed Hiebert were withdrawn.
Hiebert’s resolution to remove directors for failing to implement a resolution passed by members was defeated.
Members voted in favour of a resolution to alternate the MCGA’s annual meetings between eastern and western Manitoba. Starbuck-area farmer Chuck Fossay said it might encourage more farmers to attend.
The MCGA collected $2.4 million in checkoffs as of July 31, 2010, up from $941,478 recorded in the previous crop year. With expenses of $1.5 million, the MCGA’s net revenue was $934,599, up from $25,069, according to its financial report.
Net assets of $4.01 million were up from $2.8 million.
Administration costs totalling $205,770 were up 22 per cent.
MCGA treasurer Bruce Dalgarno said the association earned $118,000 on an investment made with CIBC in stocks and bonds versus just $18,000 the year before when the money was in a savings account.
Dalgarno said the money was safe and the MCGA could cash it out with 24 hours’ notice.
“You should buy lake freighters with it,” suggested Portage la Prairie farmer Jim Pallister, alluding to the Canadian Wheat Board’s recent decision to buy two freighters. “I hear there’s big money in that.” [email protected]
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“Ifwedon’tdevelopsomenewleaders,theorganizationisintrouble.”
– ROB PETTINGER
