Farm Line Manager Receives Recognition for Dedication at Conference

April 23, 2007

Over 62 farmers attended the "Stay In Control of Your Future" conference held in Kemptville on April 5th, some came from as far west as Peterborough, and St. Eugene in the east. Not only did they participate in an informative and successful workshop, they witnessed a very special event.

Susan Klein-Swormink, Manager of The Farm Line Support Service, was honoured with not just one, but six "Certificates of Recognition/Appreciation" for her dedication and "above and beyond" contributions to the organization. "The Farm Line wouldn't exist if it weren't for Susan's determination" states Denis St. Pierre, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "There has been many times when most people would have called it quits, but not Susan. 'Farmers need us' she would say, and keep on going."

In addition to the words of appreciation and congratulations from St. Pierre, on behalf of The Farm Line's Board of Directors, certificates were presented on behalf of the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Federal Minister of Agri-Food. Geri Kamenz, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, John Kikkert, President of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and Colleen Ross, Ontario's Women's President of the National Farmers Union, who has been with the organization since it was founded, were all in attendance and presented their congratulations and best wishes personally.

The conference was opened with an overwhelming message of support by Geri Kamenz, OFA, for The Farm Line and their services. "The Farm Line is a place farmers can connect in time of isolation and desperation. We all have been or could be in need of a listening ear". John Kikkert brought greetings from the CFFO, expressing ongoing support for The Farm Line and underlining his organization's responsibility to make sure farmers have access to the same services that many other Ontarians have access to. The Farm Line Support Service is a province wide, not-for-profit organization that provides a confidential, self-help information and referral service responding to the needs of farm and rural families who are experiencing social, emotional and/or financial difficulty.

Peter Rémillard, Lawyer presented the session "It's Not Your Father's Farm Anymore". This excellent session provided the audience with information crucial to ensuring the future of the farming operation - Dad and Mom's retirement must be secure, all family members must be treated fairly and the successor must be able to make a living. Unless someone has experienced a dispute over the family farm or estate, we can only guess at the issues that can change the outcome of what we believed to be a well planned transfer. Peter provided a 26 page information package which was included in everyone's workshop Resource Binder. One participant commented "The information provided during this conference is not only excellent - all the farm community should have it."

Scott vanEngen, C.A. presented an interactive Farm Planning session with the participants. Everyone discovered putting your business plans on paper certainly makes it look different. He asked the participants to identify their personal goals and objectives. The next step, taking an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses, leads to a Business Plan that will explain how an operation will use the strengths to overcome the weaknesses and succeed in reaching the goals. In order to succeed today we must be "proactive and not reactive - find a need and fill it".

Jon Shearer, Sleep Researcher closed the day with laughter and his research findings on sleep patterns. This speaker should be a stand-up comedian. Not only did he provide the audience with the reasons why we sometimes wake up feeling refreshed and other times feeling like we need another 10 hours of sleep, he provided some tools to take charge of their sleep habits.

Denis St. Pierre, Chairman, Board of Directors

The Farm Line Support Service
cell: 613-227-1578
Tel: 613-774-5404
P.O. Box 569
Winchester, Ontario KOC 2KO