If a Stranger to Ontario dropped into a provincial agriculture meeting, he or she would soon be well aware of the presence of Bruce County's contingent. The Bruce Federation of Agriculture continues the strong tradition of advocacy begun over half a century ago.

In 1940 six Bruce farmers attended a western Ontario meeting with Federal Agriculture Minister James Gardiner. The Liberal Government had slapped ceiling prices on agricultural productsfarmers couldn't rely on governments to ensure their survival; they'd have to organize at the local level, obtain the right to market their own products, and depend less on government officials. They met with County Council and received a $250 grant to assist their "Bruce County Chamber of Agriculture" in taking its first steps.

Township units were organized through well attended public meetings. Volunteer canvassers knocked on doors, selling memberships for 25 cents per family. Farmers were receptive to the concept of collective pricing agreements: they had a history of organized efforts and had already achieved significant progress in controlling the cost component of the profit equation.

Prior to 1940 farmers had made a successful effort to improve rural standards through buying clubs for essential items such as salt, seed grain and coal. They even imported a boat load of twine from Ireland after Canadian suppliers refused to negotiate. These clubs developed into local co-operatives, and with a central effort in Toronto were, collectively known as the United Farmers of Ontario, which later became the United Co-operatives of Ontario. Bruce itself had six local co-operatives.

The National Farm Radio Forum was officially launched in 1939, but few people realize that the small group discussion technique had its roots in Bruce County as early as 1937. Even before the concept attracted national support from the CBC, Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Association of Adult Education, Bruce had 37 study groups in action.
 

Past Presidents of the Federation, November 9, 1990. From left: Burton Hodgins, Bordon Fenton, Grant, Bill Davis, Brian Ireland; centre: John McAuley, Harold Poechman, Barry Johnston, Ernie Beirnes, Alfred Brunton; back: Ron Garland, Eldon MacKinnon, Harold McArthur, Bill Wolfe, James Jacklin.

Television forums carried on the tradition from radio, projecting a strong voice from the Canadian farm, advocating specific economic, educational and health reforms. Study groups also provided the equivalent of a weekly opinion poll on a variety of topics. On any night approximately 3,000 people in Bruce would discuss mutual problems, from local issues to international concerns. The county registered the largest number of forums in Canada in 1955, with a total of 140 groups.

One outcome of these farm forums was a sponsorship of programs such as Co-operative Medical Services and Co-operators Insurance. Bruce Federation, through forums and women's institutes, recognized the acute need for better health services. Farm people were not eligible for group plans and were very often exploited by private plans sold by door-to-door salesmen. The introduction of a prepaid group health plan in 1947 was the first major Federation project. Premiums were affordable and coverage became increasingly comprehensive. Over 14,000 Bruce residents were covered at the time the Ontario Health Insurance Plan took over in 1972.

The main objective of the Bruce Federation pioneer leaders, to negotiate prices for farm products, required persistence on the part of members. Bruce remained a solid leader in the plebiscites that eventually led the establishment of the various farm product marketing boards. By the 1970s supply management powers were added to the pricing mandate of many of these marketing boards.

In 1982 farmers suddenly faced unprecedented high interest rates and falling commodity prices. Banks lacked experience with this agricultural crisis and without warning ruthlessly seized assets, disposing of them at community sales, often at a fraction of their real market value. Bruce Federation realizedwas a major problem. It consequently selected a few individuals to act as a third party in disputes. The group was known as the Farm Financial Advisory Service.The farmer assistance program was expanded through the endorsement of Grey-Bruce MP Dr. Gary Gurbin, who mustered financial support from Ottawa for a 90-day pilot project involving participants from government agencies, the Canadian Bankers' Association and the Federation of Agriculture. The success of this body, called the Grey-Bruce Pilot Debt Review Board, led to the passage of a federal act in 1985 which officially provides farmers with the debt review boards now functioning across the country. A group named "Concerned Farm Women" was organized by farm wives in the Paisley-Chesley area in 1981 to provide moral support in their husbands' fight against collectors out to seize farm and home. The movement began with kitchen gatherings but soon attracted crowds, filling community centres across Ontario and gaining widespread publicity. Thoroughly researched briefs detailed a wide range of grievances beyond the financial strains, including health, education and the legal status of women in rural society.

Also formed in 1981 was the Farm Survival Association, an activist organization from neighbouring Grey County that was quickly adopted by Bruce. Farmers held demonstrations against bank foreclosures, blocked bank seizures, and stalled the progress of forced sales. With support again from MP Gary Gurbin and other politicians, farmer activists such as Allan Wilford were often successful in pres suring banks to give farms the time and terms to remain viable. In some cases banks were exposed when they employed illegal or questionable tactics. The Bruce Federation of Agriculture looks back with pride in its initiative in standing up to the banks and drawing the public pressure that led governments to intercede in the interests of justice. This western Ontario county generated more than ideas and forums for action; many of its people went on to provide leadership in provincial and national agriculture organizations.

Future Ontario generations attending agriculture meetings can draw inspiration from the insight, determination and accomplishments of the Bruce that a breakdown in banker-farmer communications Federation of Agriculture.