PREECEVILLE, Sask. – Seed, campaign, seed, campaign, seed, campaign.
Maybe get some sleep.
Then go back to seeding and campaigning.
It’s an uncomfortable rhythm many farmer politicians in eastern Saskatchewan have fallen into as they deal with election and seeding deadlines.
“It’s pretty terrible right now,” said Invermay farmer and Liberal candidate Ken Krevetz. “It’s really hard to get out campaigning when you have to be out seeding.”
Election signs have sprouted along country roads and beside farms, but in many areas crops are far from a similar sprouting stage. A late spring and floods in eastern Saskatchewan pushed seeding into the middle of the election.
Read Also
Powdery mildew can be combine fire risk
Dust from powdery mildew can cause fires in combines.
Most crops in eastern Saskatchewan have to be seeded this week to meet insurance deadlines and reduce the risk of early fall frosts. Candidates have until June 21 to swing voters in their direction.
“I’m not even half done seeding,” said Progressive Conser-vative candidate Dave Sawkiw. “It’s just sick.”
Krevetz said he tries to get onto his land by six a.m., work until nine a.m., then campaign during the day. After supper, it’s back to the land.
Sawkiw said dealing with the dual stresses of campaigning and seeding can be trying, but there are others who can commiserate – other farmer politicians.
“I was talking to a friend (another candidate) at midnight last night, and he’s just gotten started,” Sawkiw said. “I don’t know how he thinks he will ever get out campaigning and knocking on doors.”
Sawkiw has been able to get most of his crop seeded and do some campaigning because a 74-year-old friend has helped with the farm work.
Krevetz and Sawkiw sound weary, but both accept the lot they were given when they decided to run for office.
“It’s tough, but that’s politics,” said Sawkiw.
