opinion
From Edmonton to Ottawa to Washington, agricultural issues continue to simmer in bureaucratic meetings and memorandums. Politicians continue to posture, and consulting lawyers dutifully add up their hourly rates.
But few are paying much attention to that these days.
The harvest is on.
Across the Prairies, scores of thousands of men and women are working long hours to realize the fruits of a year’s labor.
As it has so aptly been described, it is the annual megaproject on which so much of the Prairie economy depends.
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The rivers of grain and oilseeds that are flowing off the fields will in an economic sense flow through the entire economy. Beyond the direct consumption of those commodites, there are all the processing, transportation and retail activities that come from this harvest. The nation’s balance of trade and government tax revenues are also affected by it.
And, perhaps above all else, there is the humanitarian impact as the flow of Prairie grain helps feed millions of people around the world.
But it all starts in the country, where farm families are right now putting in the long hours to make it possible.
They have help, of course. This annual megaproject, like most everything in life, depends on teamwork.
Children away in the city juggle their work or study schedules to be “home for the harvest.” Neighbors pitch in when crisis strikes.
Everywhere, there are dedicated people in the service industries also working long hours to provide fuel, equipment repairs, and other support when it’s needed.
In all these ways, harvest is an inspiring annual drama that outshines most Hollywood scriptwriting.
It isn’t all good news. In some places, crops have been wiped out by drought, flood or hail. There will be farmers who push themselves too hard too long and have accidents.
But this shared megaproject brings farmers together, reminding them of the common obstacles they face.
Left- and right-wing farmers can sit together on a rainy day on Coffee Row and share their experiences. They can, if they wish, have a bond that’s stronger than the divisive effect of current political squabbles.
With luck and hard work, the 1995 harvest will be a good one.
Also with luck and hard work, perhaps this and each succeeding harvest will bring more co-operation and unity among farmers in meeting the many challenges they face in transportation, marketing and other policy areas.
If farm leaders show the same drive in trying to work together that farmers display in the field, it can happen.
